백석 시의 생기(生氣)와 풍수지리사상

Abstract

Traditionally, the Koreans have revered the theory of geomancy. However, it is significant that a poet suggested that man co-exist harmoniously with the nature in his poems, prescribing a specific method for the harmonious existence in terms of geomancy. In this respect, some poems of Baekseok whose real name is Baek Gi-haeng(1912-1995) deserve a new interpretation from the viewpoint of geomancy. Yangtak feng shui aims to find a propitious site for a dwelling house. Traditionally, such a propitious site is known as a place where the wind gets asleep, a flowing water is in view, the high mountains stand behind, and the low hills in front. Above all, it has bright sunshine. It is in the poem “Neomeonjip Nokeunmani" that Baekseok uses such an idea of the propitious site. This poem imbued with the geomantic ideas revives dynamic life as well as an archetypal pattern of human life by depicting landscapes composed of such elements for a propitious site. Although a village site or a house site is chosen according to the theory of geomancy, it may have some natural defects. Then, supplementary feng sui is necessary to remedy such situation. For instance, if the earth energy yin, is too strong, yang energy should be necessarily supplemented. If the earth energy yin is too strong, more yang energy needs to balance the opposing forces. In Baekseok's poems “Gazeurangjip” and “Jeongjuseong”, the poet transcends the defected sites aesthetically by supplementing the bad sites. In doing so, Baekseok exerts his efforts to keep traditional Korean values in his poetry when they were gradually declining through the invasion of Japanese imperialism and western culture in the early twentieth century. The significance of Baekseok's poetry lies not only in revealing traditional Korean folk manners and customs but also the mysterious geomantic wisdom.