While checking out the *Hanok Village in Bukchon,
a.JPG)
I came across this mural -- a modern interpretation of a traditional theme in Korean folk art.
Tigers were symbolic of power and protection, and also were servants of Mountain Spirits. When shown with magpies in satirical paintings, though, they stood for the higher-ups in society, the wealthy and the titled, while the scolding magpies represented the powerless but clever common folk who secretly made fun of their betters.
As I came down from the hilly neighborhood, I spotted this magpie right in front of me.
Magpies were considered to be heralds of glad tidings; maybe the magpies in the mural were sending me a real-life magpie to foretell some happy bit of news.
I didn't encounter any real tigers, though.
*Traditional-style houses.
No comments:
Post a Comment