Mt Myohyang is one of the most celebrated mountains in the DPRK. It has been so called from olden times for its curious and beautiful landform and the fragrance floating about all year round. This gave rise to many legends. Some of them show the country’s time-honoured history in relations with the scenic spots and names of various places of the mountain.

Typically, both “Sonyu Peak and Haemosu” and “Ubalsu and Ko Jumong” are associated with King Tongmyong, founder of Koguryo.

Others are in praise of the feats the Korean people performed in their anti-aggression struggle.

Thakki Peak of the mountain carries a story about General Kim Chwi Ryo of Koryo who played a big role in repulsing foreign aggressors in the first half of the 13th century.

One day Kim fell asleep after throwing a sumptuous banquet after annihilating the invaders in Mt Myohyang. A grey-haired old man appeared in his dream, introducing himself as the god of the mountain. He said that he would make the mountain convey forever the victory achieved by the Koryo troops. The next morning he awoke to find the peaks had changed as if to form an undulated array of flags headed by the general’s flag. This is how the peak came into being. The mountain has other legends.

“Pulyong Hermitage and Tu Pong Hwa” deals with a girl named Tu Pong Hwa who had practiced martial arts for three years and became a vanguard leader of the Koryo army. She displayed her bravery in repelling those who invaded the Pohyon Temple.

“Tinkle of Windbells That Warned an Imminent War” extols patriotic priests who fought bravely to save the country from crisis during the Imjin Patriotic War, a war fought by the Korean people against the Japanese invaders between 1592 and 1598.

There are many legends related to the natural scenery and historical relics of the mountain. The following are some of them.

“Oson Peak” tells that the King of Heaven sent five spirits to Mt Myohyang to bring back home his daughter who was there for sightseeing, but all of them were so fascinated by its scenery to turn into rocks.

“Eight Unmarried Brothers and Eight Fairies” conveys a story that eight fairies from Heaven who got married to eight boys on the earth.

“Turtle Rock” is about a turtle in the sea which hardened into a rock while enjoying the scenery of Mt Myohyang.

The said legends are on the national intangible cultural heritage list as they reflect the pride, aspiration and desire of the Korean people who count Myohyang as a celebrated mountain associated with the spirit of Korea and pride of the nation and are determined to add eternal lustre to the mountain.

Kim Tae Song