Lady Yuhwa

Lady Yuhwa (Korean: 유화부인; Hanja: 柳花夫人) was known as the mother of King Dongmyeong, the first king and the founder of the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Goguryeo. She was the daughter of Habaek (Korean: 하백; Hanja: 河伯), the god of the Amnok River or, according to an alternative interpretation, the sun god Haebak (Korean: 해밝).[1][2][3][4][5]

Lady Yuhwa
Hangul
유화부인
Hanja
柳花夫人
Revised RomanizationLady Yuhwa
McCune–ReischauerLady Yuhwa

Mythological overview

Habaek, the god of the Amnok River, had three daughters: Yuhwa (Korean: 유화; Hanja: 柳花), Wuihwa (Korean: 위화; Hanja: 葦花), and Hweonhwa (Korean: 훤화; Hanja: 萱花). The eldest of his daughters, Yuhwa, was confronted by Hae Mo-su while she was bathing in a river, and eventually she married him without her father's permission. Outraged by the act, Yuhwa's father challenged Hae Mosu to a duel of metamorphosis.

Habaek transformed into a carp, a deer, and a quail, only to be caught by Hae Mo-su when he transformed into an otter, a wolf, and a hawk respectively. Defeated and recognizing Hae Mo-su's supremacy, Habaek consented to the marriage.

However, after the official marriage ceremony was held, Yuhwa escaped Hae Mo-su's chariot before they could ascend to heaven and she returned to her father. Because his daughter's actions brought disgrace to him, Habaek had her lips stretched out and he exiled her to a stream in Dongbuyeo, condemning her to a mortal life.

Yuhwa was later freed by fishermen, who brought her to the local king, Geumwa. Her beauty and intelligence impressed Geumwa and he took her as a concubine. When she was exposed to sunlight, Yuhwa gave birth to an egg, which later turned into Jumong.

Upon her death, Lady Yuhwa was given the posthumous title of Queen Mother.

Family

Sources

See also

References
  1. Doosan Encyclopedia 유화부인 柳花夫人. Doosan Encyclopedia.
  2. Doosan Encyclopedia 하백 河伯. Doosan Encyclopedia.
  3. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture 하백 河伯. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  4. Brown, Ju; Brown, John (2006). China, Japan, Korea: Culture and Customs. Ju Brown. p. 92. ISBN 9781419648939. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. 조현설. "유화부인". Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture. National Folk Museum of Korea. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
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