Cheonsang- Korean LocationLocation · Realm"Heavenly Realm"

The Separation of Heaven and Earth

In the Jeju shamanic tradition preserved in the Cheonjiwang Bonpuri, the primordial deity Mireuk separated heaven from earth at the beginning of time. Before his labor, sky and earth were fused. Neither gods nor mortals could exist in their proper domains. Mireuk's act established the three-tiered cosmos: Cheonsang (천상, the heavenly realm) above, Iseung (the mortal world) in the middle, Jeoseung (the underworld) below.

Hwanung's Descent

The Samguk Yusa places Hwanin, the Heavenly Emperor, in a celestial palace at the summit of this cosmos. When his son Hwanung desires to descend and benefit humanity, Hwanin surveys the earth, selects Taebaeksan, and grants him the Cheonbuin (three heavenly seals of authority) along with three thousand followers. Hwanung descends through clouds to the mountaintop and establishes Sinsi, the Sacred City. His grandson Dangun will found Gojoseon. The line of authority runs from Cheonsang to the earth below.

The Golden Rope

Heaven is not sealed. Sacred mountains serve as points where it touches earth. Celestial maidens descend to bathe in mountain pools. Jacheongbi ascends to steal seeds of grain from heaven's storehouse, bringing agriculture to humanity.

In the tale of the Sun and Moon, two children fleeing a tiger that has devoured their mother pray to heaven for deliverance. A golden rope descends from Cheonsang, the sincere rope, sent for the worthy. The siblings climb it and are appointed as the sun and the moon. For the tiger, a rotten rope descends. It climbs, and falls to its death.