천전리 암각화의 기하학적 문양과 선사미술

Abstract

Petroglyphs found in Bangudae Daegok-ri and Cheonjeon-ri, Ulsan, Korea are known for their representation of realistic and geometrical patterns. This research discusses that these two diverse representations of patterns on the petrogpyphs are developed from different shamanic beliefs. Implication of symbols of Shamanic magic is divided into two categories: the principle of similarity and the principle of contagion. The principle of similarity also known as the association of ideas is the thought that if a certain result follows a certain action, then that action must be responsible for the result. Therefore, if one is to perform this action again, the same result can again be expected. It is appeared as realistic patterns such as Daegok-ri petroglyphs. On the other hand, the principle of contagion suggests that once two objects come into contact with each other, they will continually affect each other sharing the same shamanistic power even after the contact between them has been broken. This belief was depicted in simplified and abstract patterns and is found on Cheonjeon-ri petroglyphs. The principle is a significant belief that often appears in prehistoric art. In addition, the patterns of stone dagger handle shape found in the rock art from the Yongnam area is also an abstract representation of stone daggers based on the principle of contagion. In this paper, the representation of stone dagger handles is similar to the inscriptions of Chinese characters on bones and tortoise carapaces: 且 meaning 'again' and 祖 meaning 'male elder'. The stone dagger is a symbol for ancestors and fertility and the shape of stone dagger handle also has the same meanings symbolized.