Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Japan & Korea · c. 300 BCE – today

Korean bujeok & norigae

Meaning

Bujeok are yellow paper talismans painted in red cinnabar by shamans (mudang) and monks, with symbols and characters for specific purposes. Norigae are knotted, tasselled pendants hung from a woman's hanbok, often with charms: butterflies, eggplants (for sons), tiger claws and perfume cases.

Intent

Bujeok protect against disaster, disease and evil spirits and bring love, luck, success and children, and are carried or put up in the house. Norigae added beauty, status and protection to women's dress.

Significance

Bujeok show Korean shamanism (muism) continuing in modern Korea, where they are still made and sold. Norigae are among the finest Korean crafts and part of Korean women's heritage.

History

Talismanic paper practice is ancient in Korea and was influenced by Chinese fu. Norigae are known from the Goryeo period and flourished in the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897).

Making yours
A norigae has a knotted silk cord (maedeup) with a central ornament of silver, jade or coral and long silk tassels.
Japan & Korea: the tradition

Japanese protective objects are issued by Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples: omamori, ofuda and ema, each for a named purpose and renewed each year, with old ones returned for ritual burning. Engimono (luck objects) such as maneki-neko and daruma dolls grew out of Edo-period popular culture. Ancient magatama link the modern imperial regalia to the Jōmon and Kofun eras. Korea's shamanic tradition produced bujeok paper talismans, and the norigae pendant turned protective charms into women's court jewellery.

See all 13, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
Samjak norigae (삼작 노리개)Samjak norigae (삼작 노리개)Korea · 1991Ornament (Norigae) with BatsOrnament (Norigae) with Bats19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Korean sword dance-Jinju geommuKorean sword dance-Jinju geommuOrnament (Norigae) with Phoenix and FlowersOrnament (Norigae) with Phoenix and Flowers19 th century date QS:P571,+1850-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Korean clothing-Hanbok-Dangui-Cheopji-NorigaeKorean clothing-Hanbok-Dangui-Cheopji-NorigaeSamjak NorigaeSamjak NorigaeHanbok-female clothingHanbok-female clothingSamjak Norigae and Danjaks NorigaeSamjak Norigae and Danjaks NorigaeKorean accessory-NorigaeKorean accessory-NorigaeNorigaeNorigaeYangban Culture of Joseon Dynasy (2)Yangban Culture of Joseon Dynasy (2)Jogakbo jeogori and norigaeJogakbo jeogori and norigaeSamjak Norigae and Danjaks Norigae, Binyeo, Bitchigae, Dwikkoji, Tteoljam, Ornamental Silver KnifeSamjak Norigae and Danjaks Norigae, Binyeo, Bitchigae, Dwikkoji, Tteoljam, Ornamental Silver Knife

More from Japan & Korea: Omamori · Ema votive plaques · Magatama · Other & unsorted Japan
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.