Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut

What the ritual involves

Locals in Gwideok, Geumnyeong, and Aewol prepare twelve wooden posts shaped like horse heads. They drape these structures with bright silk fabrics to please the goddess. A male shaman leads the proceedings until the fifteenth day of the celebration. During daylight hours, the carved horses appear to gallop across the landscape. At night, participants attach lanterns to two specific posts. This lighting creates the alternative name Yeonjeungje, or Lantern Festival, for the evening events.

History and recognition

The practice has deep roots in Korean shamanism on the island. It serves as a vital spiritual anchor for fishing communities seeking protection from the sea. The tradition faced decline due to a shortage of qualified shamans willing to perform it. In response, authorities designated it an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Korea. UNESCO added the ritual to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, securing its global status.

Meaning and symbolism

The ritual honors Yeongdeung Halmang, a deity believed to visit Jeju during the new year period. The horse-head posts symbolize speed and vitality, mimicking a galloping animal to energize the spirit world. The colorful silks represent joy and respect offered to the divine visitor. By cheering up the goddess, villagers hope to secure good fortune and safe voyages for their families throughout the coming year.

How Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut is kept

Villagers construct twelve posts carved with horse heads and cover them with colorful silk. A male shaman guides the ceremony through the first half of the month. Participants install lanterns on select posts at nightfall. The daytime display resembles a galloping horse game, while the nighttime lighting transforms the site into a lantern festival. The entire community participates in maintaining these decorations.

When and where

The ceremony occurs at the start of the Korean New Year. It spans roughly fifteen days, led by a shaman until the fifteenth day. The timing aligns with the lunar calendar to welcome the goddess's annual visit.

The ritual is centered on Jeju Island in South Korea. Specific villages include Gwideok, Geumnyeong, and Aewol. These locations host the posts and ceremonies that define the local cultural landscape.

What Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut means

The horse heads represent energy and movement, inviting the goddess to join the living. Silk fabrics add vibrancy and honor to the sacred space. Lanterns guide spiritual presence during the dark winter nights. Together, these elements create a protective barrier and a joyful reception for the sea deity.

Who takes part

• Male shaman: Leads the ritual proceedings until the fifteenth day
• Villagers: Erect horse-headed posts and hang silk fabrics
• Community members: Install lanterns on posts during the evening

If you are a guest

Visitors observe the erected posts and lantern displays. They witness the shaman leading the prayers and rituals. Guests may participate in the general atmosphere of the lantern festival without performing specific ceremonial roles.

Then and now

The ritual remains rare due to a scarcity of practicing shamans. Efforts to preserve it have resulted in official heritage status. UNESCO recognition helps maintain interest, but the number of active performers continues to be low.

On the wedding table

Symbols: Horse and carriage

Questions people ask about Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut

See also

PyebaekA Korean post-ceremony ritual where the couple bows to the groom's parents and shares symbolic foods.Marriage coin charmNumismatic amulets from East Asia that carry wedding blessings and fertility symbols.HwarotThe embroidered Korean gown worn by brides during the pyebaek ceremony.Red Thread of FateAn invisible cord that links destined lovers across time and distance.

Good reading and sources

• Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.