단군신화에 보이는 樹木信仰

A Tree Worship in the Dangun Myth

Sindansu(神壇樹) that had an alter and a holy tree respectively was the place where Hwanwung(桓雄) came down, which was written in the Dangun(壇君) myth in Samgukyusa(三國遺事). On the other hand the holy tree was written as Dansusin(檀樹神) from the other classical literature Jewangungi(帝王韻紀). It is believed that the nomination of latter represents more accurate than that of the former. Because Sinsi(神市), what we called, should be read Sinbul(神巿), the holy forest. The Dangun myth, that is to say, means the genesis of Mountain God that became Ancestor God afterwards. This system or type of gods' order above is just like that of Golmaegi (골맥이) worship, which is the common worship in Korean villages. It is said that Buddhist element in the Dangun myth is the word Dan (檀), sensor tree. However it should be pointed that the Buddhist element in the Dangun myth is the fact that men were originated from Tree-God (樹神). Moreover Hyangsan(香山) which is an Indian Mountain is often seen in Buddhist scriptures. The Buddhist element in the Dangun mythmight help us understand the Dangun myth. Probably it might be the reason why the Dangun myth could be preserved in Buddhist temple. But it should be emphasized that the Dangun myth was born in Korean history and its original culture.