Cheoyong is a figure from the Samguk Yusa, a Korean book of histories and tales. It records that his image was hung at the door of a house. Korean paper charms, called bujeok, came later and grew into a much wider family; this page begins at the door.
Record, Folk and Modern are kept apart, and each one carries its source.
The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, published by the Academy of Korean Studies, notes that the Samguk Yusa records Cheoyong’s image hung at the door. It is the earliest record in our sources for the Korean charms that were later written on paper.
To verify: The date of the Samguk Yusa and the exact passage, from a published translation; What the Samguk Yusa says about why Cheoyong’s image was hung
Later came bujeok: paper charms, usually written in red on yellow paper. People hung them hoping to keep misfortune out and to invite good things in, the encyclopedia explains. There were kinds for wealth, for a child, for an official post, for study and exams, and for harmony between husband and wife.
To verify: Confirm the colours and the list of kinds on the encyclopedia page; When bujeok of this kind are first recorded
The traditional red of bujeok is cinnabar, a mercury ore, and we will never use it on any paper copy. Charms made by a shaman are ritual objects, and we do not sell them. A print or small plaque from us would show the early door image only.
