Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 17, 2026

Haneunim

Haneunim or Hanunim is the sky god in Korean mythology. In the more Buddhist-aligned parts of these religions, he is identified with Indra. In the more Taoist-aligned parts of these religions, he is identified with Okhwang Sangje. Under that name, he is a deity in the Poncheongyo religion.

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Hwanin represented at the Samseonggung. source ↗

Haneunim or Hanunim (Korean: 하느님; lit. 'Lord of Heaven; Heavenly Lord')a is the sky god in Korean mythology.12 In the more Buddhist-aligned parts of these religions, he is identified with Indra. In the more Taoist-aligned parts of these religions, he is identified with Okhwang Sangje (옥황상제; 玉皇上帝; lit. 'Jade Emperor'). Under that name, he is a deity in the Poncheongyo religion.3

Dangun myth

Dangun is traditionally considered to be the grandson of Hwanin, the "Heavenly King", and founder of the Korean nation.4 Myths similar to that of Dangun are found in Ainu5 and Siberian cultures.6

The myth starts with prince Hwanung ("Heavenly Prince"), son of Hwanin. The prince asked his father to grant him governance over Korea.7 Hwanin accepted, and Hwanung was sent to Earth bearing three Heavenly Seals and accompanied by three thousand followers.7 The prince arrived under the sindansu (신단수; 神檀樹; lit. 'Holy Tree of Sandalwood')8 on the holy mountain, where he founded his holy city.7

At the time of his reign, Ungnyeo8—bear—and a tiger were living in a cave near the holy city, praying earnestly that their wish to become part of humankind might be fulfilled.7 Ungnyeo patiently endured weariness and hunger, and after twenty-one days she was transformed into a woman, while the tiger ran away for it could not tolerate the effort.7 The woman Ungnyeo was overjoyed, and visiting the sandalwood city she prayed that she might become the mother of a child.7

Ungnyeo's wish was fulfilled, so that she became the queen and gave birth to a prince who was given the royal name of Dangun: the "Sandalwood King".7 Dangun reigned as the first human king of Korea, giving to his kingdom the name of Joseon, "Land of the Morning Calm", in 2333 BC.7

According to some scholars, the name Dangun is related to the Turko-Mongol Tengri ("Heaven"),9 while the bear is a symbol of the Big Dipper (i.e. Ursa Major), itself a symbol of the supreme God in many Eurasian cultures. Later in the myth, Dangun becomes the Sansin, the "Mountain God" (metaphorically of civilising growth, prosperity).10

See also

See also

Counterparts of Haneullim in other Asian cultures

Notes

Notes

  1. also spelled Hanallim (하ㄴㆍㄹ님/하날님), Hanullim (한울님), birth name Hwanin (환인; 桓仁 or 桓因), also called Sangje (상제; 上帝, "Highest Deity"), Sangjenim (상제님; 上帝任/mixed script: 上帝님, "Highest Divine Lord"), or Cheonju (천주; 天主, "Heavenly Lord"/"Lord of Heaven"), or known simply as Haneul (하늘 "Heaven"), Cheon (천; 天, "Heaven", in Sino-Korean), Cheonje (천제; 天帝, "Heavenly Emperor"/"Emperor of Heaven", in Sino-Korean), or Cheon-sin / Cheon-shin (천신; 天神, "God of Heaven")
References

References

  1. Grayson, James H. (2015). "Tan'gun and Chumong: The Politics of Korean Foundation Myths". Folklore. 126 (3): 253–265. ISSN 0015-587X. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  2. Hong (2009), p. 39.
  3. "Okhwangsangje". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  4. Lee (1981), p. 13.
  5. Lee (1981), p. 20.
  6. Lee (1981), p. 21.
  7. Lee (1981), p. 14.
  8. Lee (2010s), pp. 10–13.
  9. Lee (1981), pp. 17–18.
  10. Lee (1981), pp. 16–18.
Sources

Sources