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The 'Returning Ladies' who became a goddess : Focusing on the comparison of Ui-sun and Huyen Tran

  • Cross-Cultural Studies
  • 2023, 70(), pp.397-423
  • DOI : 10.21049/ccs.2023.70..397
  • Publisher : Center for Cross Culture Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Literature
  • Received : September 10, 2023
  • Accepted : October 11, 2023
  • Published : October 31, 2023

CHOI BITNARA 1

1고려대학교 민족문화연구원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the process of transformation of the Korean and Vietnamese 'returning ladies' into a 'goddess' and to elucidate its meaning. Specific comparisons will be made between Ui-sun(1635-1662) of Joseon and Huyen Tran(1278-1340) of Dai Viet. They both traveled across borders to marry, experienced life in other countries, and ultimately returned home to die. The two women's double crossing of the border between their country and another country caused several issues and phenomena in the Korean and Dai Viet societies. The specific aspects can be seen in various cultural products that have survived to the present day. The fact that 'hwanhyangnyeo' was elevated beyond acceptance and compassion to an object of worship seems strange at first glance. The women who were given as tribute to the Immigrants, or the princesses who married Immigrants for the sake of peace in their country, were often forgotten and were never fully settled in either the foreign country or their homeland when they returned. However, Ui-sun and Huyen Tran became goddesses after their deaths. It is noteworthy that the deification of the two returning women began among the common people. Because even though they crossed the border and returned home at the behest of the state, their "country" and "family" never recognized their achievements. Ui-sun, who was forced to return to her hometown and live a life of abandonment following the king's orders, and Huyen Tran, who was forced to enter a temple and live outside the world following the monarch's orders, became gods to the common people. In addition, the goddess of returning is celebrated anew today in Korea and Vietnam. It is very meaningful that the value of the sacrifice is being realized again by the people of today. It is also significant in that it is a way of reclaiming the shame and disgrace that had been attached to the returning ladies.

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* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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