If you are from North America, especially the Pacific Northwest, you are familiar with totem poles. They are tall poles or pillars (usually wooden) that are carved by Indigenous and First Nations peoples as a form of storytelling. They recount legends, family histories, or other important things the carvers wanted to remember.
In Korea you’ll see something similar outside villages. But these aren’t totem poles (it would hard for them to be since the word Totem comes from an Algonquian word), these are 장승, Jangseung (jan-sing would be the closest pronunciation for most Americans), the village guardians.
In earlier periods of history these marked the outer limits of a village, temple, or other area. You’ll see them sometimes in historical Kdramas and at any historic village in Korea. The ones in the picture above are from Nami Island, a popular tourist destination. If you compare these ones to the ones in historic photos you’ll notice these are missing the traditional inscription. The most common inscriptions, translated to English, read “Great General Of All Under Heaven” or “”Great Female General Of The Underworld.”
In some ways, these are comparable to the gargoyles seen on European churches. And, there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss reference to the jangseung in ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A GARGOYLE. Keep your eyes peeled for it and let me know if you’re like these friendly faces guarding your neighborhood.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A GARGOYLE comes out December 11th. Be sure to get your copy and have a happy holiday in Seoul!
Ebook | Print | Inkprint Press | Braille Edition
🖤 American Abroad
🖤 Bad Boy Loves The Good Girl
🖤 Kdramas
🖤 You Had Me At Hello
🖤 Secret Identities
