What is 'Yongwang'? Ep. 03(feat.Tale of the Nine Tailed(2020))

In episode 3 of "Tale of the Nine-Tailed," a story about a seaside village and the events that occurred there is featured. Let's take a look at the 'Yongwang' that appears in this story.

Who is the 'Yongwang' in Korean legend?

'Yongwang' is a figure from traditional legends who governs rivers, lakes, seas, and other bodies of water. Although the term 'Yongwang' has been used to refer to those who govern rivers or lakes, it is most commonly used to refer to gods who govern the sea. They have been recognized as a being who rules over various things related to water, not just the sea. They are also sometimes portrayed as a god who manages wind and rain, so it was very common for coastal fishing villages to hold rituals to worship 'Yongwang.'

Since they share similar characteristics with the Western god, Poseidon, he is often mentioned when describing 'Yongwang.' The reason why they are called 'Yongwang' is because dragons in Buddhism and Taoism have been personified as deities.

How is the 'Yongwang' depicted in <Tale of the Nine Tailed>?

In episode 3 of "Tale of the Nine Tailed," the depiction of 'Yongwang' is consistent with the settings mentioned above. The villagers in the story live by fishing in the water, so they hold a ceremony for 'Yongwang' for the safety of those who go out to sea or to fulfill their dreams. In addition, every house has a painting of 'Yongwangmushin-do,' expressing their hope and praying with 'Yongwang' always close by.

However, in this 'Yongwangmushindo', instead of the dragon, 'Imugi' is drawn. This is because the people in the village actually worshiped 'I-mu-gi' as a god, not 'Yongwang'.

In the end, the villagers disappear as 'I-mu-gi', the deity they worship, appears, and he becomes a rival to Lee Yeon in <Tale of the Nine Tailed>.

"I-mu-gi" is a legendary creature that was supposed to become a dragon, but has been depicted in many legends as a harmful being to humans who failed to become a dragon. In <Tale of the Nine Tailed>, "I-mu-gi" plays an important role as another character, so I will prepare a separate post for it.