Jangseung

Jangseung are traditional wooden totem poles in Korean folklore, carved with exaggerated facial expressions and placed at village entrances to ward off evil spirits and protect the community. Often appearing in male and female pairs, these guardians symbolize the balance of yin and yang, repelling misfortune and inviting prosperity. Rooted in shamanic traditions, jangseung are believed to possess spiritual power, standing as silent sentinels that deter malevolent forces with their imposing presence and distinctive features, such as wide eyes and grimacing mouths. They represent cultural resilience and the enduring belief in protective spirits in rural Korean life.