These "turtle things" (as I call them) are all over South Korea - they are usually located near temples, but I've also found them in parks. Surely someone out there knows what they are and why they're all over the place. If you know, PLEASE tell me! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, I've included some examples:
@ Haeinsa
@ Pagyesa
@ Geumgang Park, Busan
@ Mangudang Park, Daegu
8 comments:
Hope this helps (long life): http://english.gangnam.go.kr/koreanpattern/animals.htm
John from Daejeon
Is "Mangudang Park" the zoo? If it is that is a big MF'n turtle. I just took a picture of it this week. =)
I asked more people about it and they said the turtle represents "long life" but I don't have much more than that.
I wonder if it might have something to do with Admiral Yi's famous armor-hulled 'turtle ships' that he used to defeat the Japanese armada with back in the 1590's? I know they are a fierce source of pride for Koreans and perhaps the turtle's with teeth image evokes military might and national pride or something.
John - I had actually found that link, as well as this one (which isn't Korea-specific). They provide a *little* insight... But why does nothing explain the turtle-with-post-on-its-back-monument? Grr!
Rob - Mangudang Park's common name among waygooks is "Park With Dude On A Horse" :-) I've yet to go to the zoo. Hell, I don't even know where it is. But, this Mangudang turtle is pretty damn big itself.
Bob - I actually thought of that, but still it doesn't explain the specific form all these monuments take. Aaack - consternation!
My best advice is to talk to someone (park services/information) associated with the parks. In the U.S., there are many historians that are employed by federal and state parks. Maybe one of them can help you out. It shouldn't be as hard as figuring out Stonehenge, Easter Island, or the Great Pyramids (Aliens won't be a factor here in South Korea).
Jane,
When I was in China, there was a story about a turtle that supported the world that I was told in a temple and that the turtle serves as the foundation upon which the world and knowledge spins or sits. I can not remember the story or the exact jist of it, but it has something to do with the zodiac and all of the animals conning each other until the turtle got stuck with supporting the world on its back. That is as much as I can remember at the moment. Hope that it helps.
Christopher
Thanks Chris! I know you'd told me that story before... I was trying to remember it the other day. I wish I could find it written out in English somewhere.
I've heard the same thing, Chris and Jane. My host family mentioned it to me once when we were at the local Tibetan Buddhist temple. I never wrote the full story down, either, but since I'm headed that way, I'll ask about it again.
Did I ever mention my favorite Russian word is "черепаха"? (Which means "turtle.") I almost convinced my host grandmother in St. P to let me get one at the local petshop, but I was worried she wouldn't take care of it when I left...
-Brooke S.
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