활쏘기를 통해 본 몽골 신화상의 후흐데이메르겐의 형상과 성격

Abstract

A Study on the Forms and Character of Huhdai Mergen inMongolian Mythology through the archeryLee An-naThis paper presents an investigation into the forms of master archer HuhdaiMergen from Mongolian mythology and his character through archery. InMongolian mythology, master archer Huhdai Mergen is usually connected to theregulation of the sun, the moon, and the stars in Heaven and the creation ofstars. Such a series of acts are conducted through archery, which used to beperformed as an incantatory ritual to resolve a disaster in life, dispel an evilspirit, and pray for affluence as well as for hunting. In Mongolian mythology, Huhdai Mergen is a master archer and hunter thatrises to Heaven while hunting a deer and becomes Sirius with the deer becomingOrion. The Mongolian have believed that the two constellations protect themsince ancient times. While Orion is related to the deer totem, Huhdai Mergenor Sirius is related to the wolf totem faith. Huhdai Mergen takes too much pride in his archery skills and ends up causingdamage to himself, which can be understood as a pattern of controlling the powerof personified Huhdai Mergen through excessive natural force. He also hassomething to do with Polaris, which is regarded as the stake to bind his horseto by the Mongolian. They also believe that their ancestral gods reside in thehorse stake or column. The stake is the residence of Huhdai Mergen protectingthe Mongolian people, which reflects his aspect as an ancestral god. He is also depicted as the god of thunder and lightning born in a cow. Thestones he throws and the arrows he shoots in Heaven are the embodiments ofthunder and lightning. The Mongolian have understood lightning of dispellingan evil spirit and striking wicked things as the arrow of Huhdai Mergen. Thegod of thunder and lightning has the attributes of a fertility god such aseliminating bad devils and bringing affluence. Huhdai Mergen is also manifestedas the creator to create the earth and the savior to save mankind. Such formsall derive from his archery skills.