Emperor Chi-Woo the Great of Baedalguk

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According to Gyuwon Sahwa and Hwandan-gogi, Emperor Chi-Woo (치우 천왕) was the 14th Emperor of the legendary Korean empire, Baedalguk, also known as Guri. Emperor Chi-Woo was said to have been a brilliant military strategist and swordsman. He was said to have won every battle he fought, but lost to the Yellow Emperor, who had used the compass for the first time known in history. His enemies called him the "Red Devil" because he and his armies dressed in red armor and horned helmets. This was the ultimate inspiration of the South Korea national football team's official mascot. Emperor Chi-Woo's tomb was excavated near the Shandong peninsula.

[edit] Description of reign

Emperor Chi-Woo succeeded Emperor Sawara of Baedalguk, the 13th ruler of Baedalguk, at around 41 years of age and is seen today as a great hero who expanded the territory of his empire tremendously, which was said to have reached the Shandong Peninsula area at its greatest extent. During his reign, he was said to have highly advanced the technology of his empire as well. Baedal was said to have possessed catapults, flaming arrows, and bronze swords starting from the reign of Emperor Chi-Woo, while its neighbors were still in the stone age. Chi-Woo was said to have reigned for 109 years, and died at the age of 151.

[edit] The military of Chi-Woo the Great

Though no exact quotes stated that the army of Baedal under Chi-Woo the Great possessed metal armor, there are quotes in Hwandan-Gogi that provide hints that lead to a conclusion that they did. A first example from the text is, "Their foreheads were steel, and their heads were copper."

[edit] War with Huangdi Xuanyuan

It may be considered the first war in East Asian history. When Chiwoo became an emperor of Baedalguk, Yoomang (楡罔), who was a descendant of Shennong, was a king in the nation of Shennong. At that time, the nation of Shennong became powerful because the population had increased so much. Emperor Chiwoo felt surrounded by threats and decided to attack the nation of Shennong, and prepared bows, arrows, spears and swords. Emperor Chiwoo assembled his army of nine grand generals and 81 adjunt generals in Takrok(涿鹿), and conquered the troops of Yoomang at Kuhon(九渾).

Thereafter, Emperor Huangdi heard that Emperor Chiwoo was governing the land of Shennong. Huangdi assembled his troops, and waged war on Emperor Chiwoo and Baedal more than 70 times during ten years. It is said that Emperor Chiwoo defeated Emperor Huangdi in all of the battles except one.

[edit] Religious beliefs

Emperor Chi-Woo was worshipped by the people of Goguryo, Burma, Hmong, and China as a war-god. The Hmong people consider him the father of their nation as well as a mighty war god, while the people of Burma considered him a monstrous war-god. under China's ethnic unification policy, Chi You (as known in China) is now also regarded as one of China's forefathers alongside the ethnic Han ancestors, Huangdi and Yandi. The people of Goguryo saw him as a hero, an ancient king of Baedalguk, and also as a war deity.

[edit] References

• Founding myth of Korea
• Budoji
• Hwandan-gogi

[edit] Sources

• Yeon Gaesomun drama(대사극 드라마 연개소몬)
• http://www.kimsoft.com/2004/go-chosun.htm
• Hwandan-gogi text

[edit] See also

• Rulers of Korea
• Baedalguk
• List of Korea-related topics