The dragon may not exist in reality, yet it is one of the most familiar legendary creatures to us. It has long stood close to our daily lives as a powerful spiritual being, a symbol of authority, and a mystical guardian of the nation. For our ancestors, the dragon was regarded as a symbol of hope and achievement, so much so that the gateway to success and high office was called the Dragon Gate (Deung-yong-mun). May you, too, walk alongside this mighty creature and receive the auspicious energy it bestows.
This Hanji lantern, created by Geurimtory Hanji Workshop , is inspired by a beloved traditional Korean folktale. The story chosen for this piece is “The Red Bean Porridge Granny and the Tiger” —a favorite among children. Long ago, deep in the mountains,there live d an old woman who cultivated a red bean field. She was so skilled at making delicious red bean porridge that people called her Red Bean Porridge Granny . One peaceful day, a massive tiger appeared and threatened to eat her. The granny calmly pleaded, “It’s okay if you eat me, but if I die, who will make this delicious porridge for you?” She managed to persuade the tiger to return in the winter, when the first snow falls, so he could enjoy the porridge before eating her. With no one to turn to, the granny wept in despair. But to her surprise, the objects around her— a wooden frame for carrying loads, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a soft-shelled turtle —came to life, listened to her story, and...