[Characters in Minhwa: From Tradition to Future Content] Part 1: Exploring the World of Korean Minhwa Characters – Reading Symbols and Sentiments

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[Characters in Minhwa: From Tradition to Future Content]

Part 1: Exploring the World of Korean Minhwa Characters – Reading Symbols and Sentiments

1. What Is Minhwa? – Folk Paintings Born of Imagination and Aspirations

Minhwa (民畵) refers to a style of painting that developed spontaneously among the common people during the late Joseon Dynasty. Unlike court paintings created by royal artists, minhwa portrayed themes such as blessings, longevity, protection, humor, and hope—rooted in the everyday lives and desires of ordinary people.

These works are not mere decorative art. They represent the imagination, emotions, and worldview of the masses, making minhwa a deeply rooted cultural asset. More than just historical artifacts, these paintings serve as a reservoir of archetypal creativity that can be applied to today’s content industries.

We often assume we know our culture well. Yet, if we fail to harness it ourselves, we may end up simply watching foreign creators turn our heritage into global success—such as in the case of K-Pop Demon Hunters. It is time we become the ones who imagine, create, and share these stories with the world.

2. Key Characters Found in Actual Minhwa Paintings

The following characters are commonly found in minhwa paintings, with clearly documented iconography. These figures hold historical and symbolic value and serve as visually and thematically rich materials for reinterpretation in modern media.

  • Tiger (호랑이)
    Often paired with magpies in the famous “Magpie and Tiger” motif, the tiger—once a symbol of power and awe—is humorously reimagined in minhwa to satirize authority and hierarchy.
    Recently, the tiger has reappeared in global media, including in the Netflix project K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Korean Minhwa: The Tiger


  • Magpie (까치)
    A harbinger of good news, the magpie symbolizes communication and harmony between people and nature, frequently shown alongside the tiger.

Korean Minhwa: Magpie


  • Ten Symbols of Longevity (십장생)
    These include the sun, mountains, water, pine trees, turtles, cranes, deer, mushrooms of immortality, clouds, and rocks. Together, they express wishes for a harmonious and eternal life.

Painting of the Ten Symbols of Longevity


  • Dragon (용)
    A mythical being controlling rain and life forces, dragons in minhwa represent royal power, natural cycles, and divine protection.

Korean Minhwa: Dragon


  • Phoenix (봉황)
    A symbol of peace and ideal governance, often paired with the dragon to embody balance and harmony.

Korean Minhwa: Phoenix


  • Black Tortoise (현무)
    Representing death, rebirth, immortality, and time, this creature often appears in protective or mystical contexts.

Korean Minhwa: Hyeonmu (Black Tortoise and Snake)


  • Haetae (해태)
    A mythical beast symbolizing justice and warding off evil. Though more often seen in palace architecture, it appears in some folk paintings.

Korean Minhwa: Haetae


  • Crane, Deer, Turtle
    Frequently part of the Ten Symbols of Longevity, these animals represent grace, wisdom, and long life.

Korean Minhwa: Crane
Korean Minhwa: Turtle

Korean Minhwa: Deer




All of these characters have been confirmed in heritage collections and official cultural records in Korea.

3. Extended Characters – From Folktales and Shamanic Traditions

Some iconic figures don’t appear in traditional minhwa but exist in oral tales, shamanistic paintings, and folklore. These can be creatively reimagined today using minhwa aesthetics.

  • Dokkaebi (도깨비)
    Mischievous and sometimes fearsome goblins, dokkaebi are central to Korean folk imagination, though they rarely appear in minhwa.

Dokkaebi Roof Tile from the Unified Silla Dynasty


  • Snail Bride (우렁이 각시)
    A magical woman who emerges from a shell to help a poor man, embodying self-sacrifice and hidden virtue.

Unbo Kim Ki-chang: A Working Woman in “Spinning”


  • Three-legged Crow (삼족오)
    A mythical solar bird found in Goguryeo murals. Though not present in late Joseon minhwa, it offers deep mythological potential.

Goguryeo Samjok-o Motif: Three-legged Crow in the Sun-shaped Pierced Gilt Bronze Ornament from Tomb No. 7 at Jinpari, Goguryeo Site in Pyongyang


  • Other Figures and Reinterpretation Potential:

CharacterSourceCharacteristicsPotential in Minhwa Style Reimagining
Strong Baby (아기장수)Korean Oral Literature CollectionBorn with superhuman strength, dies unfairlyAnti-hero, tragic figure with social critique potential
Mr. Snake (구렁덩덩 신선비)Folk tales and textbooksSerpent that transforms into a manSymbol of transformation, reincarnation
Jacheongbi (자청비)Jeju Shaman MythsGoddess of agriculture, love, and sacrificeFemale hero reinterpreted with symbolic richness
Bari-degi (바리데기)Muga (Shamanic epics)Shaman who revives the deadAfterlife journey and female resilience
Seonmyo (선묘낭자)Samguk Yusa (Three Kingdoms legends)Dragon princess representing devotionFeminine power merged with dragon iconography
Grim Reaper (저승사자)Shaman paintings and ritualsGuide to the afterlifeComic or mysterious reinterpretation possible
Tiger and Dried PersimmonFolk talesFearful tiger misunderstood a child’s treatExcellent for humorous animation or children's stories
Chilseong (칠성신)Shamanic gods of fate and starsGoverns life and destinyCelestial and spiritual imagery for modern storytelling

4. Applications in Contemporary Cultural Industries

Modern content creation thrives on originality, symbolism, and rich visual identities—making minhwa characters ideal for adaptation across various platforms.

Potential Uses:

  • Animation/Webtoons: Adventures of magpies and tigers, or fantasy tales in the realm of the Ten Longevity Symbols

  • Games/AR/Metaverse: Quest-based content featuring dragons and haetae guardians in a myth-inspired universe

  • Educational Content: Character-driven programs that teach values and ecology using symbolic animals

  • Merchandising/Design: Use of dokkaebi, phoenix, or crane imagery in lifestyle goods and brand design

  • Tourism/Experience: AR exhibitions and regional storytelling centers based on folk painting worlds

Rather than merely restoring tradition, it is crucial to reinterpret the imagination and sentiment behind minhwa through the lens of today’s creative languages.

5. From Ancient Imagination to Modern Inspiration

Minhwa carries the dreams, satire, and hopes of past generations—but it is not confined to the past. Its characters, when seen through a modern lens, offer a rich source of inspiration across fields like art, education, media, product design, and even global storytelling.

The recent success of K-Pop Demon Hunters shows that what is deeply “Korean” can also be globally compelling.

The reason we revisit minhwa characters today is not merely to consume our traditions, but to understand the roots of our culture—and to build new futures from them.

May this post serve as a first encounter for some with the hidden world of minhwa imagination,
and a creative spark for others seeking new stories to tell.


by pre2w

View Korean Version

[민화 속 캐릭터, 전통에서 미래 콘텐츠로] 제1편: 한국 민화 속 캐릭터의 세계 – 상징과 정서를 읽다



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