If someone knows about Jangseung(장승), they can be considered someone who really knows Korean culture well. Jangseung used to be something that every Korean knew about in the past, but nowadays, it's actually something that many Koreans are not familiar with.
In every culture, there are their own guardian spirits. In Native American culture, there are wooden sculptures that serve a function similar to Jangseung. The same goes for Mongolian and other ethnic groups. Thus, guardian deity statues or wooden sculptures may vary slightly in function, but they are found all over the world. Jangseung serves as a symbol of traditional guardian totem pole in Korea.
Jangseung is in the form of a tall human face made of wood or stone, which was placed at the entrance of villages, temples, or mountain passes. The most common form is wooden Jangseung, but stone Jangseung is also found in various places around Korea. There is also a belief that Jeju Island's dol hareubang(돌하르방) originated from stone Jangseung.
장흥방촌리석장승 (문화재청)
하원금귀당장군 (문화재청)
There are various theories about the origin of Jangseung, such as its origin from phallicism or as markers of temple boundaries. In Korean history, the earliest record dates back to the "Jangsaengpyoju" in the Three Kingdoms period in 759.
Korea, 1902
Jangseung was erected to protect villages, temples, etc. It served the purpose of warding off evil spirits, diseases, disasters, and ensuring the prosperity and peace of the village, as well as the health and safety of families.
There are various theories about the origin of Jangseung, such as its origin from phallicism or as markers of temple boundaries. In Korean history, the earliest record dates back to the "Jangsaengpyoju" in the Three Kingdoms period in 759.
Korea, 1902
Jangseung was erected to protect villages, temples, etc. It served the purpose of warding off evil spirits, diseases, disasters, and ensuring the prosperity and peace of the village, as well as the health and safety of families.
Jangseung also served other purposes. Some Jangseung had remaining distances written on them to indicate how far it was to a certain place which served as a milestone. These were also called Nopyo (路標) Jangseung. Another purpose was as boundary markers, indicating "this area belongs to the village" or "this area belongs to the temple," serving as a kind of signpost.
Generally, characters are engraved vertically on the front of Jangseung's body. For male Jangseung, it reads 'Cheonhadaejanggun(天下大將軍)' in Chinese letters, and for female Jangseung, it reads 'Jihaeseojanggun(地下女將軍)'. In fact, it is not about distinguishing gender; what is known as male Jangseung is the 'yang' of 'yin and yang', and what is known as female Jangseung is the 'yin'. There are many opinions that they have been distorted into male and female, and the wording is somehow, sexist.
철갑산 장승문화축제 (대전일보)
It is advised to have proper manners when cutting down trees for making Jangseung. There are various procedures for making Jangseung correctly. There are designated dates, alcohol must be offered, ceremonies must be held, and festivals of their own kind must be held. The offering made when erecting Jangseung is called 'Jangseungje'.
It is advised to have proper manners when cutting down trees for making Jangseung. There are various procedures for making Jangseung correctly. There are designated dates, alcohol must be offered, ceremonies must be held, and festivals of their own kind must be held. The offering made when erecting Jangseung is called 'Jangseungje'.
고성군 통일전망대 장승문화제 (환경일보)
As times change, various characters are also carved into Jangseung. There are "Pyeonghwatongil Jangseung" wishing for the unification of Korea, as well as Jangseung with light-hearted phrases for interior decoration, and even English letters for foreign tourists. As times change and the functions of Jangseung change, the appearance of Jangseung also changes.
As times change, various characters are also carved into Jangseung. There are "Pyeonghwatongil Jangseung" wishing for the unification of Korea, as well as Jangseung with light-hearted phrases for interior decoration, and even English letters for foreign tourists. As times change and the functions of Jangseung change, the appearance of Jangseung also changes.
경기신문
People no longer set up Jangseung in front of villages as they did in the past. The reason is clear: because they no longer believe in such superstitions. However, in the past, during times when medical and scientific technologies were not as developed as they are now, people were well aware of the need to create scary faces to ward off unknown threats.
동구 대동 장승제 봉행위원회
There were many things in the past that could attack people, such as natural disasters like inexplicable droughts, epidemics, and diseases. Even though Jangseung may have disappeared, the sentiment of erecting Jangseung is a compassionate feeling that we all share.
People no longer set up Jangseung in front of villages as they did in the past. The reason is clear: because they no longer believe in such superstitions. However, in the past, during times when medical and scientific technologies were not as developed as they are now, people were well aware of the need to create scary faces to ward off unknown threats.
동구 대동 장승제 봉행위원회
There were many things in the past that could attack people, such as natural disasters like inexplicable droughts, epidemics, and diseases. Even though Jangseung may have disappeared, the sentiment of erecting Jangseung is a compassionate feeling that we all share.