Day 6: The Mago Triad or Samsin Halmi (Triad Grand Mother)
Mago Halmi (Mago Grand Mother) is traditionally known as Samsin Halmi (Samsin Grand Mother) in Korea. Although the prominence of Her worship in Korean Shamanism is evident, it is equally true that modern Korean Shamanism has lost its focus on Her. Due to a vicissitude of oppression done against Korean Shamanism throughout history, we moderns have a reductionist understanding of Samin Hami through the lens of Korean Shamanism. Meanwhile, the veneration of Samsin Halmi has survived in Korean culture and family traditions. The faith in Samsin Halmi is much alive among women who gave birth, nurse, and raise children to this day.
Traditionally, elder women in the family were the priestess of Samsin Halmi. There are too many practices to describe. Suffices it to say that the Samsin Jar, placed at the corner altar of an elder woman’s room, marks a sacred timespace for the household. The Samsin Jar that contains newly harvested rice to be eaten together with sea mustards (miyeok) by a female member of the household who give birth.
While the Mago Triad of Mago with HER two daughters, Gunghui and Sohui, remains less visible to the public (due mainly to the oblivion of the Budoji) than the Triad of Sages (Hanin, Hanung, and Dangun). Contrary to the modern depiction of them as three men, I hold that they are the female triad who represent the Mago Triad. In distinction from the Mago Triad, I call the latter the Goma Triad. Here Goma is addressed as Hanung. Thanks to Goma, we are able to assess the concept of triad and Nine Numerology.
Reflection points on the Mago Triad and the Goma Triad:
- Note an ample and multifaceted manifestation of the Mago Triad in traditional Korea.
- How other cultures and peoples venerate the Goddess Triad?
- For the coming three days, we will look into cross-cultural manifestations of the Nine Goddess symbols and the Triad Goddess symbols.
Want to know more about the Magoist Cosmogony? Read Dr. Hwang’s The Mago Way: Re-discovering Mago, the Great Goddess from East Asia (Chapters 6, 7, and 8).
Go to 2019 Nine Day Mago Celebration here.
Readings and reflections to be shared 1. Days 1, 2, 3 (July 30, 31, August 1) About the Nine Mago Creatrix and the Magoist Cosmogony
2. Days 4, 5, 6 (August 2, 2, 4) About Nine Numerology and the Triad
3. Days 7, 8, 9 (August 5, 6, 7) About Cross-cultural Manifestations of the Nine Creatrix
About Dr. Helen Hye-Sook Hwang