Tangun, the legendary founder of Korea, is spelled "tæ̃'ɡun" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced with a nasalized "a" sound and the second syllable has a stressed "u" sound. The apostrophe after the "n" indicates a glottal stop, where the airflow is momentarily stopped by closing off the space between the vocal cords. The spelling of Tangun reflects the traditional Korean spelling, which uses the Hangul alphabet, and the IPA provides a way to accurately transcribe the sounds of the word in English.
Tangun, also known as Dangun, refers to a legendary figure in Korean mythology who is believed to have founded the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon, considered to be the earliest political entity in Korean history. According to the myth, Tangun was born from the heavens with the divine purpose of establishing a kingdom on Earth. He descended to Earth and settled on Mount Baekdu, present-day North Korea, where he founded the kingdom of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE.
Tangun's legendary reign is described as one of peace and prosperity, and he is revered as the ultimate ancestor of the Korean people. His mythical accomplishments include the invention of various cultural practices, such as hunting, agriculture, and societal systems. Additionally, he introduced the elements of Korean culture and established the foundations of its civilization.
Tangun's legacy holds significant cultural and historical value in Korea, as his existence and achievements symbolize the deep-rooted Korean identity and the origin of its civilization. Celebrations, festivals, and rituals are conducted annually to honor Tangun and his contributions. The myth of Tangun also serves as a unifying force among Koreans, fostering a sense of shared heritage and national identity.
Overall, Tangun represents a mythical figure in Korean folklore and history who is believed to have established the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon, and holds a prominent place in Korean cultural heritage.
The word "Tangun" is an important figure in Korean mythology. The etymology of the word is somewhat uncertain and subject to different interpretations.
According to the Samguk Yusa, a 13th-century collection of historical legends and folklore, Tangun was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. The word "Tangun" (단군) is composed of two Korean syllables: "tan" (단) and "gun" (군).
The precise meaning of "tan" is unclear, and various theories have been proposed. One interpretation suggests that "tan" might be related to terms such as "heaven" or "day", implying divine qualities. Another theory suggests that "tan" could mean "altars" or "shrines", representing Tangun's role as a mythical ruler who established rituals and ceremonies.