Joseon butterflies and legends

Even in the largest Korean cities, fields of flowers are easily found. Robert Neff Collection

One of the most beautiful sights in summer are the swarms of butterflies gracing the fields of flowers found throughout Korea. Like a kaleidoscope of color, they flit about bringing joy and wonder to all who view them. To many they are symbols of transformation and the cycle of life. In Korea they symbolize prosperity and contentment. They are generally associated with light and beauty but they also have a dark side – one filled with ugliness and contradiction.

In the past, some people believed that you could go blind if you touched a butterfly with your hands – presumably if you then inadvertently touched your eyes. But blindness is not the only danger associated with butterflies.

The magic of butterflies (note the monarch butterfly is not native to Korea) / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection

There are several Korean legends with butterflies. In some of them, such as this one, the butterflies’ role is somewhat confusing and appears to be no more than a colorful backdrop:

During the reign of King Injo (1623-49), there was a soldier who served as the magistrate in a small village on Ganghwa Island. The man, whose name has apparently been lost with the passage of time, lacked any appreciative talent. But he did possess a very jealous wife who heaped upon him plenty of ridicule and scorn.

One cold winter morning, the woman occupied her hands with her sewing and her tongue with her bitter denouncement of his lack of ability. According to James Scarth Gale, a missionary who recorded this tale in one of his books, the man attempted to placate his wife by asking her if she would like to see him create butterflies. She was not placated but infuriated. She believed her husband was mocking her.

Without a word, he went to her sewing material, selected several pieces of bright silk and balled them up in his hand. He then went back to his cushion and began to chant. His wife tried to ignore him but was startled when he suddenly threw the pieces of silk into the air and they transformed into beautiful butterflies – the very same colors of the silk.

A kaleidoscope of colors / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection

After a short time, the man raised his palm into the air and the butterflies returned to it. Looking at his wife, he closed his hand and then reopened it revealing nothing but pieces of silk. We can assume from that time on, peace reigned in his household as his wife’s bitter tongue was silenced.

The story, however, has another twist to it. During the Manchu attack in 1637, the islanders began to flee their homes seeking refuge from the invaders. When the people from his village asked him where they should run, he told them to remain in their homes for “the barbarians will not touch this town.” He then nonchalantly returned to his meal. By the end of the invasion, the entire island was devastated with the exception of his village.

The genesis of the butterflies’ vibrant colors is also associated with undying love.

Many years ago, when tigers learned to smoke, there was a young girl of a prestigious home who was engaged to marry a young man whom she had never met. Arranged marriages were common in those days and the girl looked forward to her wedding with apprehension and excitement. Unfortunately, her young fiance died before the wedding could be performed.

Upon learning of his death, she dressed herself in white mourning clothes and went to his parent’s house where she unplaited her hair and mourned – not only for the loss of his life but hers as well. According to the tale, it was a common practice for young widows of yangban (gentry) families not to remarry – this practice extended to even those who were engaged but not able to consummate the wedding. These women were doomed to loneliness. Sometimes their lives were mercifully cut short by poison – administered either by their own hands or those of loving relatives.

Resting amongst the flowers / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection

However, this was not to be her fate.

Every morning and late afternoon she went to his grave and bitterly wept. She walked slowly around his grave mound, her tears dampening the soil and her mournful cries of his name echoing through the valley. She pledged to the gods and all who would listen that she would eventually be together with her betrothed in the afterlife.

Years passed by and still she mourned. Although her clothing now bore bright colors and patterns, her heart was still dark with sorrow.

One morning, as was her normal practice, she went to the grave with one of her female attendants. As she slowly walked around the grave, the mound suddenly collapsed revealing a deep hole. According to some, she fell into its depths, while others claim she jumped into it on her own accord, screaming the name of her beloved.

But another much darker account claims that this event took place on the morning of her 100th day of mourning and that she did not jump in on her own accord nor did she accidentally fall but was snatched by a hand-shaped darkness that reached out of the hole and dragged her into the grave.

A welcomed visitor at any time of the year / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection

Most accounts agree that the servant tried desperately to grab her young mistress but only succeeded in grabbing part of her clothing. The fabric ripped and the girl was buried beneath the ground when the hole suddenly closed.

The servant was left holding a large square of cloth which quickly fell apart into pieces. Each of these pieces transformed into a butterfly, each with the pattern of the young widow’s clothing, and fluttered away. They are the colorful butterflies we see in the fields and meadow throughout Korea.

The appearance of colorful butterflies could be good or bad, depending on each individual superstition and perception. It is a fortunate portent if you see a yellow butterfly in early spring and even luckier if you see it in the early morning.

Superstitions surrounding white butterflies often conflict with each other. If the first butterfly you see in the spring is white, then you will be blessed with good fortune. If a white butterfly enters your home in the early spring it symbolizes a visit from your ancestors. Conversely, others believe that a white butterfly in spring is a divination of death – a harbinger announcing the impending demise of a parent.

And, as we shall see tomorrow, white butterflies have also revealed perpetrators of defilement and murder.

I would like to thank Diane Nars, not only for her assistance but also for her butterfly effect. Every year she raises and releases a large number of butterflies in the United States – a small but valuable act of kindness.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.