The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism
This article explores how the unique cosmology of Korean shamanism, which continues to function as a living religion in contemporary Korea, has been shaped. A key characteristic of the cosmology in Korean shamanism is its combination of two cosmological beliefs. First, it adheres to the general sham...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/199 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850080138023141376 |
|---|---|
| author | Dongkyu Kim |
| author_facet | Dongkyu Kim |
| author_sort | Dongkyu Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article explores how the unique cosmology of Korean shamanism, which continues to function as a living religion in contemporary Korea, has been shaped. A key characteristic of the cosmology in Korean shamanism is its combination of two cosmological beliefs. First, it adheres to the general shamanistic cosmology of protection, where suffering caused by supernatural beings can be overcome through the protection of even more powerful beings, who also assist in predicting the future. Second, it incorporates the belief that human life and the universe operate according to specific cosmological principles. The coexistence of these two distinct cosmologies which form an explanatory system of modern Korean shamanism reflects the historical experiences of Koreans with Confucianism during the Joseon dynasty and with Western modernity. In this paper, I analyze the dynamics of conflict and compromise between the two cosmologies through a historical approach and case studies. Specifically, I examine the use of the terms ‘<i>unse</i> (wheel of fortune)’ and ‘spirit’s intervention’ as conceptual metaphors representing each cosmology, as they are employed in interactions between shamans and their clients. Furthermore, I maintain that contemporary Korean shamanism is a form of religious practice constructed as a compromise between various worldviews, including those of shamans and their clients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae4a8ec6d4264a7ba359d738967d9933 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae4a8ec6d4264a7ba359d738967d99332025-08-20T02:45:01ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-02-0116219910.3390/rel16020199The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean ShamanismDongkyu Kim0Academic Center for K-Religions, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of KoreaThis article explores how the unique cosmology of Korean shamanism, which continues to function as a living religion in contemporary Korea, has been shaped. A key characteristic of the cosmology in Korean shamanism is its combination of two cosmological beliefs. First, it adheres to the general shamanistic cosmology of protection, where suffering caused by supernatural beings can be overcome through the protection of even more powerful beings, who also assist in predicting the future. Second, it incorporates the belief that human life and the universe operate according to specific cosmological principles. The coexistence of these two distinct cosmologies which form an explanatory system of modern Korean shamanism reflects the historical experiences of Koreans with Confucianism during the Joseon dynasty and with Western modernity. In this paper, I analyze the dynamics of conflict and compromise between the two cosmologies through a historical approach and case studies. Specifically, I examine the use of the terms ‘<i>unse</i> (wheel of fortune)’ and ‘spirit’s intervention’ as conceptual metaphors representing each cosmology, as they are employed in interactions between shamans and their clients. Furthermore, I maintain that contemporary Korean shamanism is a form of religious practice constructed as a compromise between various worldviews, including those of shamans and their clients.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/199Korean shamanismcosmologypatronal universeoptimal universe<i>unse</i>conceptual metaphor |
| spellingShingle | Dongkyu Kim The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism Religions Korean shamanism cosmology patronal universe optimal universe <i>unse</i> conceptual metaphor |
| title | The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism |
| title_full | The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism |
| title_fullStr | The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism |
| title_short | The Conflicts and Compromises of the Two Cosmologies Making Korean Shamanism |
| title_sort | conflicts and compromises of the two cosmologies making korean shamanism |
| topic | Korean shamanism cosmology patronal universe optimal universe <i>unse</i> conceptual metaphor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/199 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dongkyukim theconflictsandcompromisesofthetwocosmologiesmakingkoreanshamanism AT dongkyukim conflictsandcompromisesofthetwocosmologiesmakingkoreanshamanism |