한중 우언의 동물 상징

Abstract

The Symbolic Meaning of Animals in Korean and Chinese allegories Yoon, Seung-Joon* This paper examines the symbolic meaning of animals in Korean and Chinese allegory. Korea and China have had strong cultural and political relations for ages. It is not difficult to assume interaction or influences between the two countries. Therefore, this is a study focused specifically on the symbolic meaning of dogs, rats, cats, tigers, and horses within the allegories of both countries. The dog has been regarded as an animal of faithfulness, with its characteristic barking at strangers coming to signify symbolically an influential vassal who monopolizes the King's attention and prevents the appearance of the sage. Dogs have also been used to represent the worldly person who strives for profits. Rats were the symbol of a corrupt bureaucracy who exploits the people although the old rat signified a person with much experience and wisdom in life and government. Cats symbolized men of virtue who eradicated corrupt bureaucrats although they at times neglected their duties or thieved. The tiger symbolized a stupid ruler unable to distinguish between good and bad, and could not see the nature of things. The tiger also appeared as an absolute being who could see into human nature and culture. The horse signified a man of ability and an old horse signified a person who had abandoned society yet still had a great amount of experience and wisdom in life and government.