[One Thousand Characters a Day] Mysterious Animals Hidden in Cultural Heritage Dictionary <1>

Editor's NoteThis week's book introduced to Asia Economy's 'Daily 1000 Characters' readers is ＜A Mysterious Animal Dictionary Hidden in Cultural Heritage＞ by curator Kim Yongdeok. The author, who has worked at various museums in Korea, provides an easy-to-understand cultural guide explaining the fantastic animals hidden in our cultural heritage. Under the motto "Art is a medium that represents history," the book offers broad and fascinating information about fantastic animals from various perspectives including art, history, philosophy, politics, and economics, presented in an accessible and entertaining way for the general public. According to the author, cultural heritage featuring fantastic animals can be seen as a collection of mysterious creatures, an Eastern version of a 'Fantastic Beasts Dictionary.' The text contains 1017 characters.

Various animals appear in cultural heritage. For example, well-known creatures such as the dragon (龍) and phoenix (鳳凰), as well as mysterious beings like the Bugasari (不可殺伊), Inmyeonjo (人面鳥), and Hwasang-eo (和?魚). Their characteristics are as diverse as their appearances, inspiring viewers to let their imaginations soar.

We commonly refer to these creatures as 'fantastic animals,' while academia calls them 'Seosu (瑞獸),' 'Yeongsu (靈獸),' or 'Jinsu (珍獸).' Although the names differ, one commonality is that they are imaginary beings that do not exist in reality.

So, what do fantastic animals appearing in cultural heritage symbolize? There are two perspectives. First is the ideal world (理想世界). In Buddhism, it is the 'Pure Land (極樂淨土),' in Taoism, the 'Mureungdowon (武陵桃源),' and in Confucianism, the 'Taepyeongseongdae (太平聖代),' an ideal world ruled by a virtuous monarch. In these ideal worlds, auspicious animals roam freely. What does the place where fantastic animals exist signify? It represents a fantasy world that cannot exist in reality but is a 'Utopia' that everyone longs to reach.

The second is a moral lesson. In the Buddhist scripture ＜Gyeongnyul Isang (經律異相)＞, there is a fish called 'Baekduo (百頭魚),' a strange creature with 100 animal heads. How did Baekduo come to have such a grotesque appearance? In its previous life as a human, it constantly insulted and slandered others by comparing them to various animals. This brings to mind the idioms 'Ingwauengbo (因果應報)' meaning cause and effect, and 'Gwonsunjungak (勸善懲惡)' meaning encouraging good and punishing evil. Thus, fantastic animals convey moral messages guiding us on the right path, much like protagonists in Aesop's fables.

Fantastic animals in our culture, conveying various symbols and meanings, are products of human imagination from the past and serve as mediums of history. By examining them closely, we can explore the politics, economy, culture, and daily life of the time.

－Kim Yongdeok, ＜A Mysterious Animal Dictionary Hidden in Cultural Heritage＞, Dam & Books, 16,800 KRW