Mystic Directory

Cheju Island (AKA Jeju-do) and the white deer lake, Korea

The island of Cheju is strewn with dwarf-like statues of the powerful fertility god Tolharubang. The mysterious island has many legends associated with it as well as the island being associated with the number 3.

Legend states that the first settlement on Cheju was founded by 3 god-men who came forth from one of the many caves on the island: Ko-ulla, Pu-ulla and Yang-ulla. Worship of the Shamanistic spirits was common amongst the ancient Koreans – even the later arrivals of Confucianism and Buddhism have done little to dismiss the countries culture of nature worship. Cheju Island is known as the island of 3 “plenties” (stones, wind and women) and 3 lacks (beggars, thieves and locks).

The 3 founding gods supported themselves by hunting and gathering. One day whilst on the slopes of Mount Halla they spotted a wooden box floating in the sea. Inside the box they found 3 daughters of the King of Pyoknang who had sent the 3 gods a gift of brides. The women carried grain seed, cattle and horses with them.

Archaeological evidence, such as stone and bone tools, points to the island having been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. At this time inhabitants lived in caves. Dolmens and earthen jar burials clearly point out that the island thrived during Bronze Age.

Cheju island was mostly used as a trading point but in 1105 the island became significant for other reasons. At the time the island belonged to the Koryo kingdom. When the Koryo kingdom was overthrown by the Mongols, resistance fighters fled to the island and staged a valiant but unsuccessful last stand. The island is considered sacred by the descendants of the resistance fighters who died there.

The spiritual and physical centre of the island is Mount Halla. At 1950 m high it is also the highest peak in Korea. At the top of this mountain lies the Paeknokdam Lake (the White Deer Lake) one of over 300 crater lakes on the mountain. Local customs speak of enlightened sages traveling atop white deer in ancient times to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the White Deer Lake. The sacred lake is surrounded by jagged rocks and cliffs which shield it.

South of the white deer lake lies Youngsilgiam, a mass of granite rocks held to be the 500 disciples of Buddha. The areas name originates from the places resemblance to Youngshwi Mountain where Buddha taught his disciples. Another sacred site on the island is found in Cheju City and is called the dragon-head rock known as Yongduam. It looks uncannily like a dragon on the shore and according to legend a dragon emissary of the Dragon King was sent to Mount Halla to pick a herb which would give the king eternal youth. The questing dragon was trapped by a mountain god and imprisoned in the sea with only its head protruding above the water.