“Once upon a time, a young man who supported his elderly mother was living in the mountains. When he went to gather firewood, he encountered tiger cubs and took care of them in charity. Three years later, he still couldn’t get married. At that time, the tiger suddenly brought a lady his home and then disappeared. She has been kidnapped by a bandit when she was 14 years old. But one day, she was taken to his home by a tiger at the well side. His old mother was amused because she believed that a mountain god arranged them as a couple. They fell in love and lived happily ever after.”

Most Korean traditional fairy tales described that animal can talk and interchange with human. Particularly, the tiger was described almost like a human with having emotional feelings and took important part in the story. 

Ancestors described tigers as diverse images. A fierce tiger is the symbol of defeating evil, a foolish tiger is the symbol of desire for wisdom of life. People sometimes symbolized tiger as a sacred creature and emotional creature impressed by affections, justice and filial piety. This way, it was described as a variety of figure in tale-fairy that embodied consciousness of the people in literature. Presently, the tiger is favorably used as a model for commercial products. For example, the tiger was a symbolic character as cute and adorable ‘Hodori’, which was the mascot for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and has been used as at sport events and symbol of university emblem.

The Year of the White Tiger (Gyeonginnyeon): It is a rare year because it comes round every 60 years. East Asia has a custom that each year is symbolized by an animal, and the 12 animals are mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The 12-year animal cycle (子, 丑, 寅, 卯, 辰, 巳, 午, 未, 申, 酉, 戌, 亥) corresponds to the 12 earthly branches (甲,乙,丙,丁,戊,己,庚,辛,壬,癸). For example, this year is called Gyeonginnyeon: Gyeong (庚) from earthly branches and In (寅) from the twelve animal signs are combined. Each of the twelve animal signs also presents the month and the time. ‘Inwol,’ means the year and the hour ‘Insi,’ means the third in the 24 hour (3-5 a.m). In Korea, the 12 animals are representing the god of time and direction. So each animal protects malices from their time and directions in charge. There are many stories about why the 12 animals are placed the way they are. Apparently, the configuration has something to do with the number of toes of each animal and their activity periods.

This conception exists in Asian culture specially, so exchange students from the West may think that this is a unique and peculiar culture. Andersen Cameron Scoff (Dept. of Metal Craft) said, “I know about the 12-year animal cycle, but I know only two animals: mouse and cow. People from the West don’t know much about the cycle. It’s certainly fascinating.”

There have been many exhibitions and events as this year marks the Year of the White Tiger. The National Folklore Museum of Korea held a special exhibition titled “From Myth to Everyday Life” (from December 23, 2009 through March 1, 2010) to showcase the changing role of tigers. Curator Gu Mun Hui said, “The National Folklore Museum has held exhibitions about each years’ animal. We would like to show how the tiger has turned into a symbol in our culture and history and how close the images of the tiger are connected with us in the everyday life. The exhibitions have been quite successful. As many as 5,000 visitors a weekday and 10,000 on weekends have come to see them. Particularly popular at the tiger exhibition was Bide’s Palanquin and Blanket with Tiger patterned Design. When a bride rides in a sedan chair, the tiger’s fur protects her from pernicious force. Please stay tuned for many more attractions.”

The tiger has been loved by Koreans, and Korea was once dubbed the “nation of tigers.” Since olden times, the tiger symbolized bravery and fierceness, and the white tiger is widely known as one of the four guardian gods that protect the west. People expect good fortune and vigor this year. Some may dismiss it as a baseless superstition. In any case, something that comes around only once in sixty years is certainly exciting. And if it helps us to be hopeful and positive, count me in.

Source : THE KOOKMIN REVIEW No.215