백두산 관련 구비전승 설화의 신화적 성격 -이주민 화자 구술 자료를 중심으로-

Abstract

In this study, I examined the mythological nature and significance of the folklore related to Mountain Baekdu as recounted by immigrants from China. The discussion was based on data collected through direct fieldwork. These folk tales were transmitted from the informants’ grandmothers, who acquired local folk tales while living in the Yanbian area during the 1930s to 1950s. Not only are these tales novel in content, but they also exhibit narrative diversity and fidelity. One of the primary focuses is the newly discovered legend of the creation of Mountain Baekdu. This tale recounts the origin of Mountain Baekdu from the chaos of primordial times due to the stirring of a giant dragon, embodying aspects of a creation myth. The cosmic turmoil caused by the dragon’s movement, the ensuing struggle with celestial beings, and the process of becoming a mountain while bound by chains characterize a primitive dynamism rarely seen in other Korean creation myths. This presents a mythological image that befits the stature and character of Mountain Baekdu. Through this fieldwork, four versions of the cosmogonic legends of Heavenly Pond(Cheonji) were collected. One tale conveys the primordial connection between heaven and the Heavenly Pond, while the other three describe the creation of the Heavenly Pond during the struggle with the Black Dragon. This is a remarkable achievement in terms of data excavation. Additionally, a long and intriguing tale depicting the struggle to defend the earth against the Black Snake was separately recorded. The Black Dragon, central to the narrative of the struggle intertwined with the Heavenly Pond, can be interpreted as a divine being representing either a volcano god or an underground deity, while the Black Snake can be seen as a narrative symbol of the earth’s negative energy. These tales vividly encapsulate the harsh natural environment of the Mountain Baekdu region and the history of confronting it head-on to pioneer life. The central narrative of struggle in Mountain Baekdu legends is noteworthy, taking the confrontation between heaven and earth, orchestrated by the alliance of heaven and humans, as its fundamental oppositional framework. This narrative structure differs from the harmony or integration of heaven and earth commonly found in Korean mythology. Some Mountain Baekdu legends attribute the venomous aspect of earth to be counteracted by the power of water descending from heaven. The close connection between heaven and water serves as a characteristic reasoning in Mountain Baekdu folklore, with the Heavenly Pond becoming its central symbol. Furthermore, in the struggle narratives collected in this study, the proactive and assertive role of women is highlighted. Women often emerge not just as assistants but as central figures in the struggle. It is notable that these women are deeply connected to heaven. This characteristic confirms a narrative structure of “heavenly woman and earthly man” rather than the more commonly observed “heavenly man and earthly woman.” This unique aspect offers a fresh understanding of the Korean mythological reasoning system.