Abstract:The Korean peninsula's understanding of its ancient fundamental history has had a long course of development. Fundamental changes have occurred since the time of dynastic Korea, including a shift from...The Korean peninsula's understanding of its ancient fundamental history has had a long course of development. Fundamental changes have occurred since the time of dynastic Korea, including a shift from the laudatory worship of Kija to the veneration of Tangun Choson. Immediate consciousness and identity were the key deciding factors in these changes. Dynastic Korea served as a vassal to the Ming dynasty. Within the context of China's sphere of influence, Kija acted as the "Education Monarch" from the Central Plains kingdom. He raised Korea to the status of "Little China" and became a key figure in allowing Korea to realize its transformation "from barbarians to Chinese." Therefore, Kija was enthusiastically worshipped. During this time, however, Tangun was denigrated. In the modern era, China's sphere of influence disintegrated following the invasion of the colonizing forces of Japan and the West. The Korean nation-state was formed, and Kija was abandoned, while Tangun was firmly established as the founder of the Korean race and became the spirit securing the cohesion of the Korean nation. Practical needs and national identity thus provide an important perspective for any examination of the formation of fundamental Korean history.Read More
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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