Gashin cult
In Korean shamanism, Gashin (Hangul: 가신Gashin, Hanja: 家神) are a branch of deities believed to protect the various objects and rooms of the house, such as jangdok or the kitchen. The Gashin cult is the cult based on worshipping these deities. The worshipping of the Gashin form a central and integral part of Korean shamanism.
Joryeong cult
The cult of Joryeong is the deitification of one's ancestors. The earliest mentions of the cult is in the Samguk Sagi, a Medieval Korean history book, which mentions the 'golden chest' of Kim Alji, the first member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. This bears resemblance to modern ancestor worship. In the modern Honam region in southwest Korea, Koreans keep a large pot in the house, filled with rice. This is called the Jeseok Ogari, and holds rice. The Jeseok Ogari is accompanied with Mom Ogari, which are smaller potteries. The name of the ancestor or rice is put in the Mom Ogari. In the Yeongnam region, Jeseok Ogari and Mom Ogari is called Sejon Danji and Josang Dangsegi. In festivals and birthdays, the family holds a jesa to the Jeseok Ogari and Mom Ogaris. In the jesa, the family prays for good harvests and prosperity. Curiously, the Joryeong cult seems to be based on a matriarchic entity called 'Josang Halmae', or 'Grandmother Ancestor'.[1]
Samshin cult
Samshin is the goddess of childbirth. Her entity was believed to be bound to the Samshin Danji, a pot kept in the inner wing of the house. The pot was filled with rice, then covered in paper and sealed with a knot tied counterclockwise. However, some households perform Geongung Samshin, or the act of honoring Samshin only in the mind. The Samshin was given Jesas every festival or birthday, and also seven and thirty-seven days after delivery. When someone is pregnant or has given delivery, the room holding the Samshin Danji was sealed with ropes. The cult of Samshin is strongest in Jeju Island.[1]
Seongju cult
Seongju is literally the 'Owner of the Castle'. As the deity of the actual house, he is one of the most common and most famous Gashin. In Jeollanamdo, the Seongjudok, or the pottery in which Seongju was considered to dwell, was filled with barley every spring and rice every autumn. However, in Jeollabukdo, the people practiced Tteunseongju, or worshipping Seongju only in thoughts. In other regions, Seongju was mostly believed to embody a piece of paper, which was attached to the central pillar. Every birthday or festival, a Jesa was done for Seongju, where housewives prayed for abundance and peace. Seongju was worshipped with other Gashin; however, when a new family was formed, or when a family moved to another residence, Seongju was for a time the only Gashin worshipped. Seongju is generally considered to be the greatest of the Gashin. The gut dedicated to him is one of the most famous, and he is believed to guard the eldest male member of the family.
Jowang cult
Main article: Jowangshin
Teoju and Cheolyung cult
Main article: Teojushin
Eobjanggun cult
Main article: Eobshin
Munshin cult
Main article: Munshin
Cheukshin cult
Main article: Cheukshin
Other deities
- Nulgubjishin, god of grain
- Ulgubjishin, god of fences
- Yongshin, god of wells
- Mabuwang, god of the barn
- Sosamshin, god of cowbirth
References