VOL.83/2025.06

The Tiger: The Origin of Korea’s Symbolic Story

2025.05.07

In the “What animal best represents Korea?” poll, the tiger received an overwhelming 83.1% of the vote. Tigers have long been deeply rooted in Korean history and culture, with Koreans referring to them as Sangun (山君; the king of the mountain), symbolizing the majesty and authority of nature. The Legend of Dangun is a classic example of the symbolism of the tiger. The legend explains the origins of the founding of Korea, where Dangun, the son of Hwanung, the god of the sky, founded Gojoseon. When Hwanung descends to rule the human world, a bear and a tiger begin training to become human by eating mugwort and garlic in a cave. However, the tiger leaves halfway through, and the bear, who perseveres, becomes a woman and becomes Dangun’s mother. In this story, the tiger symbolizes the limits of humanity, and remains an important figure in later mythology and culture.
Tigers can be found in the tomb paintings of Goguryeo, and in folk tales from the Joseon Dynasty, they are often depicted as guardians against evil spirits. As such, tigers have come to symbolize bravery and fortitude, and have become an iconic representation of the strong Korean spirit. In modern times, tigers are still alive and well, appearing as mascots for sports teams, logos and characters for companies, and more. As such, tigers are more than just animals; they are cultural symbols that represent Korean national identity and pride. So, understanding and protecting tigers is a way to keep Korean culture alive.
There are many different types of Korean books about tigers, ranging from fiction, poetry, non-fiction, humanities, and picture books. The book we would like to introduce today is the children’s book series Horangi’s Bakery (Jihaksa Arbol). The series, which has four volumes published so far, tells Korean historical stories with Chef Ho, a tiger chef, as the main character. In particular, the first volume, Strange Horangi’s Bakery 1: The Counterfeit Case of Shindan Mugwort, is based on the Legend of Dangun, and follows the adventures of Chef Ho as he opens a bakery in Shindan Village. While history is often stereotyped as difficult and complicated, the Horangi’s Bakery series connects historical elements with delicious desserts, such as Seokgatap bread and Dangun Wanggeom cake, to bring Korean history and culture to readers in an approachable way.

The Horangi’s Bakery series is more than just a fairy tale, it is cultural content that naturally incorporates tradition, history, and mythology. With the tiger, Korea’s most iconic animal, at its center, it serves as an imaginative link between the past and the present. In particular, the series has moved away from the scary image of the tiger and reimagined it as a warm and playful character, bringing the symbolism and meaning of the tiger to a new generation. It’s a pleasure to introduce tigers, which help explain the roots of the Korean people, to the readers of K-Book Trends.
For Koreans, tigers aren’t just a symbol of their country, but a cultural code that embodies their national identity. It has been, and continues to be, a central pillar in mythology, art, education, creativity, and more, connecting generations. Some of you may already be familiar with tigers as they consistently appear in Korean dramas, movies, books, and other content. What other creative stories and forms of tigers will we see in the future? We look forward to seeing the many different faces of tigers that will spark more imaginations and stories.