기우제 관련 색인어를 통해 본 조선초기 용신신앙과 기우제의 변화

Abstract

Index words reflect the nature of historical records. The securement and utilization of high-quality index words could be the key elements that decide the successful construction of DB. It is possible to observe changes in the type and frequency of index words in each period of time. The close observation of the frequency of index words can examine the characteristics and change process of each time. The praying for rain to cope with drought repeated every year was not only directly related to farmers’ survival, but also related to the maintenance of state and society, so every possible means and method such as Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and folk belief were mobilized. And the characteristics of the times were also reflected into this. In the pre-modern society, the researches on praying for rain have been actively conducted by surrounding studies such as science of religion and folklore rather than historical studies. The changes in index words showed that the praying for rain went through huge changes in the process of changes from ancient society to medieval society, and there were such changes in the Goryeo Dynasty and the early Joseon Dynasty. Through the changes in index words related to praying for rain during the Goryeo Dynasty and the early Joseon Dynasty, the changes in praying for rain could be shown as follows. Just as China, Goryeo already held praying for rain using the earth dragon and drawing an image of a dragon. However, the praying for rain to the earth dragon exposed the dragon and shaman to the hot sunlight, and also performed rites like keeping away from the main hall(避正殿) and moving marketplace(徙市). The Buddhist monk and shaman participated in praying for rain of the Goryeo Dynasty, which shows the shamanistic nature. After founding the Joseon Dynasty, the praying for rain from the Song Dynasty was actively accepted. After the King Taejong, the praying for rain involving lizards(蜥蜴祈雨) from the Song Dynasty was accepted for the first time. The praying for rain to the earth dragon(土龍祈雨) and praying for rain by drawing an image of a dragon(畫龍祈雨) were modified by accepting the Song’s ritual process. However, the praying for rain to the earth dragon and praying for rain by drawing an image of a dragon were held differently from the Song’s ancestral rites, and the shamanistic ritual such as keeping away from the mail hall or sinking tiger head in the river(沈虎頭) was fully carried out. Even though this aims to realize the royal politics through Neo- Confucianism, it could be understood as reflecting the cultural specificity of the Joseon Dynasty.