제주도 영등굿의 유래 - 연등회에서 영등굿으로의 변천 -

Abstract

In Jeju, the Youngdeunggoot is performed in February by lunar calendar to pray for a good harvest as part of annual cyclic rite to welcome the new spring. The Yeondeunghoe(lotus lantern ritual) is a festival in the Koryo Dynasty, which was a mixture of Jaecheonginongjae(ritual to pray to God for good harvest)and Yeondeung. The former started from ancient times and was held on January 15th and the latter kept Buddhistic features. The Jeju Youngdeunggoot succeeded the features of Yeondeunghoe, and became the annual cyclic rite praying for prosperity of families and villages by praying for good harvest of crops and big catch of fish. In the Joseon Dynasty, the Yeondeunghoe took on the features of festivity praying for good harvest of crops and big catch of fish, changed into Yeondeungjeol(Lotus Lantern Festival) instead of Yeondeunghoe(Lotus Lantern Ritual), and was established as folk custom. As the Yeondeunghoe was turned into the Yeondeungjeol and then the Youngdeunggoot, the meaning of Buddhistic events disappeared. The Youngdeunggoot, however, succeeded the characteristics of praying for good harvest in Yeondeunghoe and Buddhistic features such as living Buddha, Jeonryoondaewang(God of Wisdom), and Jijang(God of Underworld). It is clear that Youngdeunggoot is originated from Yeondenghoe through the Buddhistic features such as Youngdeungdaewang(God of Yeongdeung), Gwaneumbosal(Buddhist Goddesses of Mercy), the Buddhist service of Jijangagissi(Baby Buddhist Saint), Yeongdeungsongbyuldaejae(Ritual of Offering Confession to Maitreya), and the Buddhist Small Cymbals of a shaman.