高句麗 東盟祭 序說

A Prologue on the DONGMAING Festival

Dongmaing(東盟) Festival is the most famous ritual of Kokuryo. It is annually practiced in October on the whole national level. It contains many characteristic rituals. It is a multiple complex festival. First, ritual on the King Dongmiang(東明) is started on the first day of the Dongmaing festival, while sacrifice to the Demon sut(隧) is given on the third day. Ritual to the Heaven God(祭天) is endowed on the second day of the festival. Heaven God ritual contains those symbols of big-tree, bird, and sanctury Sodo(蘇塗). Dongmaing Festival is done over 5 days. Other rituals are endowed to Ancester Kings(宗廟), Heaven Stars(靈星), State Demons(社稷). Characteristically ritual to the King Kiza(箕子), Sun Emperor(日神), King Kahan(可汗) are also given on the last day of the festival. The traditions of the Pyeongyang area which involves Kirin Cave(麒麟窟), Zocen Rock(朝天石) is a good version on the last scene of the Ritual of Sun Emperor---Zumong(朱蒙), ancester King of the Kokuryo state. Dongmaing Festival is the main festival of Kokuryo, but there are also other 2 important festivals, i.e. Spring Heaven Ritual(重三祭天) done in March, and Automn Huntnig Ritual(重九校獵) done in September. King Dongmiang is sacrificed at first in March, which means he is regarded as the ancester of the kingdom during those days. But after the reign of King Kukzo(國祖), King Zaisa(再思) is newly positioned as the ancester of the Kokuryo state, thus King Dongmiang is again upgraded as Heaven ancester. Ritual on the King Dongmiang is more and more sinicized afterwards.