An unusual matriarchal spirit, the "Heavenly Mother", consort of or
replacement for the Okhwang-sangje Jade Emperor of Heaven.
The two dongja girl-attendants, or her daughters, hold the Sun
and the Moon symbolizing the yin-yang powers of the heavens.
Shamanic Paintings in the Guksa-dang National Spirit Shrine
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Many Korean-Shamanic icon-paintings are found in the Guksa-dang Spirit-Shrine, including relatively new ones
haphazardly stored for ceremonial use (above: Jijang-bosal the Bodhisattva of Salvation on left, Yong-wang the Dragon-King
on right), and the national-treasure antiques behind glass in frames on the walls (some of them are below). Because
of the highly-reflective glass used, and the high-contrast lighting inside the shrine, getting a proper photo of these
precious icons is almost impossible; presented here are the best shots i could get.
Horse-riding Military Generals are frequently-used by Korean shamans as guardians
that can defeat / drive-away all kinds of bad-fortune-causing spirits. This is a classic
old red-cloaked General on a white horse, with 5 arrows on his quiver.
General Yi Seong-gye, who became "Taejo" founder of the Joseon Dynasty in 1390 CE
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a mature aristocratic couple, as a Husband-Wife harmonious-marriage deity
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The Samshin -- Three Spirits, or Triplet Spirit -- an often-invoked fertility deity with powerful meanings throughout traditional Korean spiritual culture -- see more here.
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another Matriarchal Spirit with two "daughters" -- possibly Pari-gonju, the mythical "First Shaman"
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Finally, a very rare one, identity unknown to me -- he is playing a piri flute and dancing -- perhaps a deity of the musicians who play for the gut shamanic-rituals...? Is this Korea's "Pied Piper"...?
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