[One Thousand Characters a Day] The World Seen Through Symbols <4> - Gold Loved by Everyone

Editor's Note'Gold spoon', 'gold badge', 'golden hand', 'golden holiday'. The fourth installment of ＜The World Seen Through Symbols＞ discusses the symbolism of 'gold', which is widely cherished across cultures worldwide. Gold is the finest precious metal with unchanging value, symbolizing the sun, purity, and immortality since ancient times, and representing kingship and sanctity. In modern Korean, it is also used metaphorically in various neologisms to describe outstanding and excellent people, talents, or precious objects. The text contains 1010 characters.

There is probably no one in the world who dislikes gold, but among them, the love for gold among the people of Myanmar is special. In Burmese, 'shwe' means gold, and the country’s name is sometimes referred to as 'Shwe Myanmar', literally meaning 'Golden Myanmar'. Of course, this is not used in everyday conversation but mainly when introducing Myanmar to people from other countries. In Myanmar, where gold is revered, there is an expression similar to our 'gold spoon': 'to wash the umbilical cord in a golden tray.' In the past, gold was widely used in daily life in Myanmar. For example, in noble families, when a baby was born, the umbilical cord was washed in a golden tray, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, which shows how extensively gold was used. (omitted)

In Korea as well, gold is regarded as something precious with unchanging value. Therefore, when a baby celebrates their first birthday, a gold ring is gifted with the wish that the child grows up healthy and unchanging like gold. (omitted)

Moreover, the symbolism of gold appears in various forms in our traditional culture. Gold also appears in Korea’s creation myth ＜Changsega＞. The creator god Mireuk holds a golden tray and a silver tray up to the sky, and five golden worms fall onto the golden tray, and five silver worms onto the silver tray, which then become humans. The golden worms grow into men, and the silver worms become women, forming couples and thus leading to the proliferation of people in the world. The fact that these are not just ordinary worms but golden and silver worms turning into humans signifies how precious life is. (omitted)

The best period in life is called the 'golden age.' Some of you may feel that you are currently in your golden age, while others may be looking forward to it soon. Have you ever resented your circumstances because you were not born with a gold spoon? Everyone has probably complained about their given fate at least once in their life. But you are more precious than gold. How about expressing gratitude to those who support you by valuing yourself more than gold? If you walk forward bravely, your own golden age will surely unfold before you.

- Kim Nangye, ＜The World Seen Through Symbols＞, Changbi Education, 15,000 KRW