E2024-G117

Village Guardians: Local Trees and Shrines

Narrative

Traditionally, villages were considered to have a local guardian spirit (dangsansin) who was often embodied by a large, old tree, grove, or sometimes a guardian post, at the entrance or center of the village. A shrine for the local guardian deity was often made near the tree, and offerings and prayers were made to the tree on holidays in the form of veneration rituals. These such village guardian rituals continue to be held in Gwangju today, including in Hak-dong, Chilseok-dong, Chunghyo-dong, and Imjeong Villages, with many of the trees protected by the local government. The guardian trees are usually ginkgos or saw-leaf zelkovas.