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UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Cheoyongmu)
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information on Korean stamp
Date of Issue : 2022.11.18
Types : 2
Denomination : 430 won
Design :
Stamp No. : 3629
Printing Process
& Colors
: null
Size of Stamp : 52×24
WholeSheet
Composition
: (2 × 4) + 2
Image Area : 52×24
Paper : null
Perforation : 13¾ × 13¼
Printer : POSA
Designer : Kim Mihwa
Quantity : 600,000
Detail
Cheoyongmu, or the `Dance of Cheoyong,` is a traditional Korean dance performed during Narye, an exorcism rite held on Lunar New Year’s Eve in the royal court in order to frighten away evil spirits and pray for peace. It is based on the Korean myth of Cheoyong, the son of a dragon king of the Eastern Sea in human form, who saved people from the goddess of smallpox by singing and dancing. To pray for peace and recovery of citizens who have suffered difficult times due to illness, Korea Post is issuing the commemorative stamps UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Cheoyongmu), which was inscribed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2009. Cheoyongmu, which is performed while wearing a mask of Cheoyong, is one of the oldest royal dances. It was inspired by the Tale of Cheoyong, which was set during the reign of King Heongang (r. 875–886), the 49th king of Silla, according to the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). Cheoyong, the son of the Dragon King, returned home late at night and discovered four legs in his bedroom. Apart from his wife’s legs, the two other legs belonged to the goddess of smallpox. Instead of being angry, Cheoyong started singing and dancing. It is said the goddess of smallpox was impressed by the character of Cheoyong and never visited his house again. Cheoyongmu is performed by five dancers who wear five different colored costumes with each color representing the five cardinal directions—blue (east), red (south), yellow (center), black (north) and white (west). The dancers wear a mask of a man-god who has red bean-colored skin and white teeth, as well as tin earrings decorated with lead beads, and a black futou. The futou is decorated with two peony flowers, a branch of peach tree, and seven peaches. They are considered an auspicious combination and implies byeoksajingyoeng, which means `driving off evil spirits and welcoming auspicious energy.` Cheoyongmu is a vigorous and lively dance performed together with incidental music that has various types and beats as well as occasional insertions of vibrant and lyrical singing. The commemorative stamps feature a panoramic depiction of suyangsumu, a dance move that waves both arms, and a close up depiction of sanjakhwamu, a move that waves in the shape of a flower. The background of the stamp sheet features the green landscape of Geumgwedo (`Painting of Golden Box` by Cho Sok; Collection of the National Museum of Korea) and seven peaches that drive off evil spirits to express a peaceful world. We hope these commemorative stamps serve as an opportunity to appreciate the value of Cheoyongmu, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
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