개의 상징에 대한 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the symbolism of dogs in various cultures and explore the symbolic meanings of dogs in the sandplay therapy cases observed by the researcher. To that end, the study first looked into the biological characteristics of dogs, as well as the symbolism of dogs as seen in myths, legends, folktales, folk literature, artwork and proverbs. The study then examined the symbolic meanings of dogs that appeared in sand tray scenes created by clients from the perspective of analytical psychology. As a result, nine symbolic meanings of dogs have been found as follows: 1) a guardian, 2) loyalty, 3) a guide or guard, 4) healing powers and sacrifice, 5) regeneration, 6) problem-solving abilities, 7) a companion, 8) foresight, and 9) lowliness. The symbolism of dogs used in the clients’ sandplay scenes in this study is as follows. First, for an eight-year-old girl, a dog represented a companion as it was friendly to its owner and stayed with the owner in her daily life. Second, for a fifteen-year-old adolescent, a dog signified problem-solving abilities and healing powers as the client performed development tasks and controlled impulsiveness and misdeed.; This was represented by a dog trained by a handler. In sand tray scenes created by a 35-year-old woman, a dog protecting and devoting itself to its owner denoted loyalty and a guardian. In sand tray scenes created by a 37-year-old man, a dog was close to its owner like a family member and appeared as a companion and a guardian protecting its owner from danger. This study is meaningful as it provides the fundamental understanding of and insight into dogs as a symbolic medium by examining the symbolism of dogs and exploring the various symbolic meanings of dogs represented in sandplay therapy cases.