Changgwi
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Basic Information
Threat Assessment
Overview
In Korean tradition, this is the spirit of a person eaten by a tiger who becomes a slave to that tiger. According to Ming scholar Do Mok's 'Cheong-u-gi-dam,' 'Changgwi are souls of people eaten by tigers who dare not go elsewhere and become only slaves of the tiger.' Changgwi guide tigers and serve them, and since they can only be freed when that tiger eats another person, they use various schemes to make other people food for the tiger, even family members. It was such a feared existence that traditionally, people would not marry into families where someone had been killed by a tiger.
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Characteristics & Behavior
Physical Description
Maintains the appearance from life but with wounds from being mauled by tigers still visible. Face always shows sad and resentful expressions, and tiger scent permeates the body from long association with tigers. Sometimes tiger fur is stuck to the body.
Behavior Pattern
Finds and lures people to become food for tigers. Targets family members and relatives first, which was called 'bridge building' or 'ladder.' Has a strong preference for sour things and cannot resist eating plums or dogwood fruits. Always cries sadly and sings sorrowful songs. When living people cry and sing sad songs for no reason, they were believed to be possessed by changgwi.
Legends & Stories
Summary
Story of spirits of tiger victims becoming slaves to tigers and luring others
Detailed Legend
Changgwi represents the fear of tiger attacks in Korean tradition. It comes from the belief that spirits of people eaten by tigers become slaves to those tigers, forced to serve them until the tiger eats another person. Since changgwi can only be freed by substituting another person as tiger food, they use various schemes to lure people, starting with family and relatives. Because of this, traditional society refused marriages with families that had tiger victims, and when tiger attack victims were found, they were cremated on the spot with stone tombs built to completely cut ties. Changgwi have a characteristic love of sour things, so traps using plums or dogwood were said to reduce tigers' danger detection abilities and make them vulnerable to hunting.
History & Origin
Origin
Traditional fear and interpretation of tiger attacks (howan)
Related Events
- •Tiger attack cases
- •Changgwi exorcism rituals
- •Construction of Hosikchong (tiger victim tombs)
⚠️ Safety Measures
Media & Cultural References
Cheong-u-gi-dam - Changgwi Records
Korean Traditional Tiger Culture and Changgwi
Location Map
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