西洋오랑캐

Preoccupation, and not paying attention to the calendar prevented me from actually posting this when I wanted to (yesterday), but hell, it’s still Halloween in California and Hawaii right?

So it’s the 31st of October once again, which means that it’s Halloween. While Halloween isn’t exactly a big deal in Korea (aside from at hagwons and anywhere else foreigners congregate), ghosts are a big deal. Long time readers may recall my 100 level cursory look at the world of Korean supernatural beings. Today, in honor of the holiday, we are going to take a more in depth look at things that go bump in the night in Korea.

Anyone that has worked at, or attended school in Korea knows that Koreans like to rank things and are concerned (perhaps overly so) with levels and standing when compared to others. Perhaps this is why online games are so popular here, but I digress. Did you know that this love of ranking things extends to the supernatural as well? It’s true!

Taking it’s cue from the 한자능력시험, the ranking system for ghosts consists of seven levels, with one being the most mighty, and seven being the least mighty. These various spirits are called upon by mudang (무당) while performing their rituals. Anyhow enough talking, let’s take a look at a list!

Level 7
This rank is reserved for only the weakest ghosts. In Korea, that means 저승사자 (see Fig. 1). The 저승사자 is pretty much the Korean equivalent to the western Grim Reaper in that it is his job to take people to the afterlife when it’s time for them to die. I, myself, am not sure why this ghost is ranked so lowly, since it is death itself, but that’s where my sources have it ranked…and who am I to argue with ghost experts.

(Fig. 1 - 저승사자)

Level 6
This rank probably contains the highest number of creepy members. Among the ranks of level six are 처녀귀신 (Fig. 2) and 몽달귀신 (Fig. 3). For those of you scratching your head right now, the 처녀귀신 is a ghost of an unmarried female that always appears dressed in white (white is the color worn at funerals in Korea) with unkempt hair in her face, much like the ghost depicted in the film The Ring. 몽달귀신? That’s the male version. A bachelor’s ghost so to speak.

(Fig. 2 - 처녀귀신)

(Fig. 3 - 몽달귀신)

In addition, level six is the ranking given to all ghosts of western origin. Dracula? Level six. The mummy? He’s level six as well. Casper? You know that fool’s level six!

Level 5
Perhaps I spoke too soon when I said that level six housed the most ghosts (not to be confused with ghosts with the most), since level five is the ranking assigned not only to 항아리귀신 (a ghost having something to do with the jars used for storing things such as kimchi and soy sauce), but also is the rank assigned to the spirits of deceased ancestors…then again since this only applies to the ancestors of Korean perhaps level six still is the largest since ancestral spirits of westerners would be ranked level six due to the fact that they are western in origin.

Level 4
Begining with level four, we move out of the rank and file of nameless, generic ghosts, and into the named, upper-excheleon ghosts. The ghastly superstars if you will. Among the ghosts award the fourth level are 명성황후 (Fig. 4), Empress Myeongseong, the last empress of the Chosun dynasty who was killed by the Japanese, and the military figure 최영장군, General Choi Yeong (Fig. 5).

(Fig. 4 - 명성황후신)

(Fig. 5 - 최영장군)

Level 3
This is the rank given to 關羽 (Guan Yu), and other figures from the work 「三國志」. This custom of seeking aid from the spirits of famous Chinese generals seems to have arisen after the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea (임진왜란) during which the Koreans recieved assistance from Chinese generals.

Level 2
This rank houses the 산신 (mountain spirits), including the mountain spirit featured in the 금도끼와 은도끼 (Golden Axe & Silver Axe) legend. Additionally the 장승 (Fig. 6 at right) or spirits that are supposed to protect villages are found in this rank. These spirits are often depicted as wooden totem poles which would be located at the enterances to villages.

Level 1
This is the top level, reserved only for the best of the best of the supernatural world. Who, or what exactly falls into this rank? Well 玉皇上帝 (옥황상제) (Fig. 7) for one. This figure (commonly refered to as the Jade Emperor) was the supreme deity in Taoism, and is involved in numerous myths and legends in the Chinese tradition, some of which became part of the Korean tradition as well.

(Fig. 7 - The Jade Emperor)

Anyhow that about does it from here. I hope this trip into the realm of the supernatural has been both frightening and enlightening! Happy Halloween.