Hwanung

Hwanung (환웅; 桓雄) or Supreme Divine Regent is an important figure in the mythological origins of Korea. He plays a central role in the story of Dangun Wanggeom (단군왕검; 檀君王儉), the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first kingdom of Korea.

Hwanung is the son of Hwanin (환인; 桓因), the "Lord of Heaven". Hwanung yearned to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains. Hwanin permitted Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu Mountain, then called Taebaek Mountain (태백산; 太伯山), where Hwanung founded Sinsi (신시; 神市, "City of God"). Along with his ministers of clouds, rain, and wind, he instituted laws and moral codes and taught the humans various arts, medicine, and agriculture.

A tiger and a bear living in a cave prayed to Hwanung that they may become human. Upon hearing their prayers, Hwanung gave them 20 cloves of garlic and a bundle of mugwort, ordering them to only eat this sacred food and remain out of the sunlight for 100 days. The tiger gave up roughly after twenty days and left the cave. However, the bear remained and was transformed into a woman.

The bear-woman, Ungnyeo (웅녀; 熊女) was grateful and made offerings to Hwanung. However, she lacked a husband, and soon became sad and prayed beneath a sandalwood tree to be blessed with a child. Hwanung, moved by her prayers, took her for his wife and soon she gave birth to a son, who was named Dangun.

See also

• Dangun
• Hwanin
• Gojoseon
• History of Korea
• List of Koreans
• List of Korea-related topics