ISHS Acta Horticulturae 770: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Cultivation and Utilization of Asian, Sub-tropical, and Underutilized Horticultural Crops
ETHNIC VIEW OF GINSENG |
| Authors: | Hoon Park, Ae Kyung Park |
| Keywords: | filial piety, crow, nature god, decoction, immortal being, Panax ginseng |
| Abstract:
The relationship between ginseng and Korean ethnic life is reviewed in this paper. Korean ethnic culture attributes its formation to ginseng as it is closely related to nature worship, ancestor worship, Heaven god, filial piety (孝) and nature-centered worldview. Wild ginseng in particular, has been connected to filial piety, mountain gods, and crows. The crow has been considered as the only bird of filial piety (反哺鳥) as mentioned in the myth of the nation founder of Eun Kingdom (1510 BC-1122 BC). The divine three-legged crow was the national emblem of Goguryeo kingdom and believed to be the origin of the name of ‘Korea Ginseng’. In ancestor worship (man god), ginseng was related to Sin Nong, the Divine of Agriculture and Medicine. Ginseng due to its known efficacy, is related to various fields of nature-centered worldview, namely; Seon do (仙道, the way of immortal being), Goog (decoction) culture, Eum-Yang theory, five elements theory, shape efficacy belief and number belief. Ginseng has been the most important ingredient in Seon Dan (a miraculous food for immortal being). Seon Dan (仙丹) belief resulted in the Goog culture and considered prophylactic. Goog represents the ‘All in One’ belief of Korean food culture as well as community culture, etc. The ‘All in One’ is believed to be wholesome, harmonious, and divine. Ginseng plant growth is related with numbers 3, 5, and 6 considered miraculous to ancient Koreans. Ancient Koreans also thought Heaven, Earth, and Man as the main elements of the existence of the universe (three elements belief). The three elements have been used as quality grades of wild and cultivated ginseng. Various man-ginseng legends still survived in many places. | |
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