韓中 海神信仰 比較硏究 — 媽祖와 靈登을 中心으로 —

Abstract

The history of worship towards Mazu and YeongDeung dates back from 500 to 1,000 years. The two deities are both for the Sea and for the people. Mazu seems to show herself as a woman with approximately 40 years old, meanwhile YeongDeung is divided into an old grandpa and an old grandma, but the female deity represents the stronger than the male. Mazu has been mainly protected in the form of a Royal Tomb, but also has been worshipped in an altar erected by a common family home. YeongDeung is a visiting god and has been worshipped through a special ceremony called Gut which is normally directed by a Shaman. A grand ritual offering is made for Mazu on her birthday and on the day of her death. A sporadic ceremony is also observed eventually whenever a certain need is occurred in the everyday life. On the contrary, YeongDeung is considered as a deity for the protection of a family and also for a village community. This is a seasonal ritual to be celebrated from February 1st to 15th or 20th, according to the lunar calendar. The deity of Mazu was limited, at first, to be a goddess for the protection of the sea voyages, but later it was developed to be an almighty goddess. Meanwhile, YeongDeung is limited to be only a god for agriculture and wind, and in the insular areas it is considered to be a god for wind and rain and for the protection of sea voyages. Particularly in Jaeju island this is a god for the abundance of all sorts of sea foods. The two deities produced a great number of various legends and especially the culture of Mazu is known to be a treasure fountain for academic studies. It contains the fortune telling and taboos, and also holy scriptures and a plenty of folk beliefs and tales. The Mazu belief has the power to get united the people in a community and to promote public works for the wellbeing of its society. The positive aspect of the idea is that Mazu has contributed to the upgrading of the personality of a man and of the images of its people as a national brand, meanwhile the YeongDeung belief is usually limited to fishery and agriculture. It shows therefore its aim to beg for personal wellbeing. Mazu and Jaeju Chilmeoridang YeongDeung Gut were selected to be registered at the UNESCO as the Invisible Cultural Monument as of September 30, 2009. Along with the religious aspect, a sort of festival touch is emphasized gradually.