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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 18047
[Mythology]
Date Posted:
6/26/2007
8:29:06 am EDT
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Views: 6,939
RSS: 23,957
Comments: 5
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Magpie: Thief, Omen, Or Bearer Of Good Tidings
Author: Robert Neff Source: Ohmynews.com (S Korea)
Title: THIEF, OMEN, OR BEARER OF GOOD TIDINGS
In Korean mythology and folklore, animals often played an important role and were given human-like characteristics and abilities. The tiger and magpie were two such creatures. Often magpies are depicted in Korean paintings perched upon a tree branch over a tiger. There are several interpretations of these paintings. Some claim that the magpie, a messenger of the gods, is conveying good tidings to the smiling tiger -- a servant of the mountain spirit and a good friend of man. Others interpret the tiger as a noble man being scolded by the magpies and unable to reach them in his wrath.
Even today the magpie is revered and often attributed with superstitious abilities. To see a magpie in the morning is often thought of as an indication that a welcome guest or good tidings will soon appear. Many cities throughout Korea have adopted the magpie as their official bird, and one city has declared that the magpie's "clear song... reflects the bright and hopeful spirits" of its residents. The magpie, in effect, has become the welcome guest spoken of in lore.
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Community Thoughts: There are 5 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| It's Always Interesting .... | Jun 26th. at 8:27:39 pm EDT
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bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
To read on the myths and legends of animals.
The magpie and the crow share many of the same myths and legends. As for tigers and leopards, their original range was all through India and Asia including Korea. Sadly, their range was so much diminished, there are so very few of the beautiful Amur Leopards these days and almost as few Tigers.
What tigers there are live mostly in India with a tiny stronghold in Siberia. Korean tigers live no more. And there are very few left in Northern China.
At least in India- in the Sunderband region, the Tiger still holds sway and people must tread as warily in his forest for fear of being eaten- as tigers must in other regions for fear of being shot.
As for the Magpie and his cousins, the Crow and the Raven, they seem to be doing well enough.
I'll try to remember bowing the next time I see a solitary crow, as we don't have magpies here.
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| Over Here Too... | Jun 26th. at 1:21:19 pm EDT
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Moonlight Wolf (Bradford, England) - Email Me
Here's our magpie rhyme. Remember it for when they cross your path.
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told.
Or in the days when Britain was a strict Christian country (one to four are the same as above)
...Five for Heaven
Six for Hell
Seven you'll meet the devil himself.
If faced with a solitary magpie, bow to it as a mark of respect and you will deter any sorrow it will bring you. Works fine for me.
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| Comment On Tigers | Jun 26th. at 12:56:33 pm EDT
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Opus the Poet (Garland, Texas) - Email Me - Web
Tigers used to range from the indian sub-continent to the Arctic Circle, so why no in Korea?
Opus
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