We have all heard about the common divination used in Korea. Such as tarot or the saju pillars. However, today I will introduce to you a few different types of traditional divination used in Korea that you may not have heard about before.
Pat-jukkeom
Pat-jukkeom is divination using red bean porridge. Now, many of us know about the significance red beans have in Korean traditional mythology and folklore. It is considered to be one of the strongest protections again evil spirits and forces. However, many may not have heard of red beans being used as a divination tool.
There are two ways red bean porridge is traditionally used in Korean divination. One was just to use the porridge alone. It was used to see if the family would have good crops or plenty of luck. The first method involves setting the porridge outside and letting the top of it harden into a film. Once that was done, they would examine the cracks on the film to deduce if there was going to be a bountiful harvest or not. Since patjuk also symbolizes new beginnings, this was usually used during the winter solstice to determine the outcome for the new year.
The second way was mainly used by pregnant women. They would take the rice balls from the red bean porridge and boil them in hot water. This was used to determine the gender of the baby. If the rice balls remained round, then they would have a baby girl. If the rice balls elongated they would have a baby boy.
Moon Traditional Divination
Ah, the Moon. With nearly every culture having traditional divination centered on the moon, itโs not a surprise that Korea has something like this. Those who use lunar magic in their practice find that the Moon is a sacred being known for its wisdom and intuition. In Korea, it is very much so the same.
Moon divination is used in Korea to determine the growth of crops. Depending on the shape, color, and phase of the moon, one can know the whether the outcome is prosperous or not. If the Moon was slightly red, it would signal a drought. If it was white and bright, it would be a sign of rainfall. However, the most auspicious color was yellow. If the Moon was a bright yellow, it was a sign of a bountiful harvest. This is why during Chuseok, the Lunar New Year in Korea, most depictions of the moon are bright yellow.
There were other ways to tell where the crops would be the most plentiful to grow. If the Moon was settled towards the south, it was a good sign for the fishermen at sea. This was a sign that their catch would be prosperous. If the Moon was slightly towards the north, those who had their crops in the mountainous areas would jump for joy.
Yut-jeom
One of the most popular games in Korea that is played during the holidays would be yut-nori. It is usually played for fun between family and friends. However, it was also used in the past (and sometimes, the present) as a divination tool.
There are 64 different outcomes depending on the reading. It begins with the sticks being thrown in the air for three rounds. If you have played this before, then you would know that:
- One flat side face upwards it meant โdoโ, which would be labelled as 1.
- If there are two flat sides facing upward, then it would be โgaeโ which was 2.
- If there were three, then it would be considered โgeolโ which was number 3.
- The last would be both โyutโ and โmoโ. Both โyutโ and โmoโ were considered to be the same in divination. So if these two came out, it would mean 4.
So, say for example the outcome is โdoโ, โdoโ, โgeolโ. It would mean the numbers 1-1-3. This meant โFellowshipโ. In a way, it tells you to learn to respect the power of diversity. It tells you that strength lies not only in numbers but also in the various and collectivity of the members. This could mean family members or colleagues at work, depending on the type of question asked. The most auspicious, in my opinion, is the 1-3-2 combination. This meant โJoyโ. Joy can mean so much to so many. However, this combination lets you know that there is no greater feeling of being successful with little worry. It is time for that long-awaited bliss.
Final Thoughts on Traditional Divination in Korea
With the many well-known forms of divination out there, most of us tend to forget about the ways our ancestors and the people before us used. I am extremely happy to be able to let you guys know more about the traditional divination ways used in South Korea. I hope this was helpful and informative! If you would like to know more about the common types of divination in Korea, please check out our other article about it by Clicking Here.
