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Korean
Society Celebrations - Main Page
Korea's Main Page
Divination developed from the desire to know and control one's destiny, a desire that has been characteristic of man since time immemorial. There is a mention of divination in Korea as early as the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.-A.D.668).
During the Shilla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D.935), an especially designated solar officer, or ilgwan, was chosen to divine and report to the king any unusual natural phenomena. During the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392), a similar official was appointed as "the doctor of divination." This official would observe and interpret meteorological phenomena and divine the future of the dynasty and the fortunes of individuals based on his findings. At first, divination was concerned mainly with natural phenomena and important problems of life, but soon, it was extended to encompass the affairs and events of everyday life.
Divination based on natural phenomena foretells the fortunes and misfortunes likely to befall on a person through the observation of the sun, the moon, the stars, clouds, rain, the rainbow and the winds. Natural phenomena resulting from the interactions of these elements are thought to have an intimate relationship with human life and, therefore, if interpreted properly, can reveal the future. Each man is believed to have his own star, and the stars of heroes, sages and great men are especially large. The brightness of a star or the falling of a star is thought to have a bearing upon the fate of man.
The appearance and disappearance of certain animals, the manner, nature and time of their crying, their behavior-all these are interpreted as signs of what is to come. Cattle, horses, dogs, chickens, cats, magpies, crows, spiders, ants and snakes were all major subjects for observation in ancient Korea.
Plant divination is also based upon the observation of unusual plant phenomena. For example, a tree may dry up, a withered tree may put forth new buds, a flower may unexpectedly blossom or a tree may put forth leaves at an unusual time. All of these phenomena are considered significant with regard to human fate.
Dreams also are believed to foretell the future. According to legends and historical records, good dreams usually signify a happy event such as a promotion, even ascension to the throne, while bad dreams forecast disaster. The vast number of books on dream interpretation, both ancient and modern, is indicative of the interest in this form of divination.
Another method of divination deals with physiognomy and phrenology. The nose, the eyes, the mouth, the ears, the complexion, the hair, the feet, the hands, the voice, the deportment, the surface and hue of the body, the lines on the palms, and birthmarks are believed to reflect future events. Parallel systems of prediction in Western cultures often do not agree with traditional Asian divination.
The results of games are also thought to forecast the future. During the First Moon, the yunnori game is played in homes, which employs four round-backed, flat-faced sticks. The sticks are thrown into the air and the score depends on how they land, back up or face up. The results of the yunnori game were often used to divine the bounty of farm crops for that year. Players are divided into two sides, the mountain and the plain. If the mountain wins, it means a year of bad crops. If the plain wins, a good harvest is guaranteed. These same belief was also carried over in the tug of war game. As mentioned before, a male side and a female side are formed, and the victory of the male side is thought to mean a year of bad crops. If the female side wins, a good harvest is expected.
Em-yang (Chin., yin-yang)divination is based on the principles of Em (negative force) and yang (positive force). Through the laws governing the Em-yang interaction, the five elements-metal, wood, water, fire and earth-are produced and destroyed. T'ojong pigyol, a popular form of fortunetelling, is based on the Em-yang principle and elements.
At the beginning of the new lunar year, it is a customary to calculate one's fortune and future for the next 12 months. This is done by calculating the date and time of birth by the lunar calendar and then matching this in formation in a book called T'ojong pigyol. This kind of fortunetelling is a popular pastime around New Year's Day. During this season, old men with T'ojong pigyol books are a common sight around marketplaces or on street corners where people are likely to gather.
Not only older people, but young people as well rely on these various forms of divination. Quite often, students will consult a fortuneteller about examinations, college entrance and other school, business or personal matters.
Information provided by the Korean Embassy