Korean Traditional Totem Pole
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Found at the entrance of an old village or in the middle of a mountain path in the countryside, savage-looking wooden poles stare down at visitors. Usually presented as a pair ― a male and female general ― these are ``jangseung'' or Korean traditional totem poles.
With enlarged eyes, a bulbous nose and buckteeth, most jangseung express exaggerated depictions of the humorous sides of people.
Though the origin of jangseung is not clear, they might go back to the prehistoric age when people resided near trees or rocks.
Placed at the edges of villages, the main function of jangseung is to mark the village boundaries. Jangseung were also used as mileposts.
The wooden totem poles were also erected to protect the village against evil spirits, fire or other disasters and to be worshipped as village guardian deities. The womenfolk prayed to jangseung for a male child.
In addition to the main pair of jangseung, commonly other old jangseung stand around it. This is because old ones are not taken away when the new ones replace them.
Male jangseung wear official hats and the phrase ``General of the World'' is written on their chest. For females, ``General of the Underworld'' is written and they do not wear any hats.
The guardian jangseung do not have sayings or marks on their chests.
