Korean Shamanism
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Mushindo - Ritual Pictures of Shamanic Deities and Spirits

Mushindo (무신도 巫神圖) are pictures of Korean shamanic deities and spirits. But more than that, they are seen as embodying the deities that are depicted. The deity's spirit resides in the image and therefore it is regarded as a sacred object in itself. Every Mudang has her own pantheon of personal deities who work through her, and she possesses individual images of each one. These paintings are kept above the altar in the Mudang's personal shrine (Shindang 신당), and they will be brought and displayed when the Mudang goes to perform a Gut in some other location. Sometimes these Mushindo are passed down from an elder Manshin to her chosen disciple, but usually they are burned at her death, thus returning the deity to the spirit world. Mushindo are often painted by the Mudang herself, and are regarded as an important part of Korean folk arts, but they may also be painted by professionals, and these days they are commercially available and can even be ordered on-line. 
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Click on each image below to view full-size.
Samshin Halmeoni Birth Spirits 삼신할머니
Samshin Halmeoni Birth Spirits 삼신할머니
Samshin Halmeoni Birth Spirits (삼신할머니) with other deities
Female White Horse General (백마여장군)
Baekma Janggun 백마장군 White Horse General
Female White Horse General (백마여장군)
Chilseong (칠성단) - the Seven Stars Deity
Female Chilseong (7-Stars Deity) 칠성신
칠성신 Chilseong - Seven Stars Deity
호작도(虎鵲圖) Tiger and Magpies (까치와 호랑이) - Folk Good Luck Symbols, also identified with the deity Hoseonang (호서낭), and Sanshin (산신)
Tiger protective amulet (Bujeok 부적 符籍), often pasted on the entry gate to one's home.
호작도(虎鵲圖) good luck painting of Tiger and Magpie (까치와 호랑이)
Sanshin (산신령 山神靈) the Mountain Spirit
Sanshin (산신령 山神靈) with Magpies
Sanshin Grandmother (산신할머니) Female Mountain Spirit
Ilwoldo Shinjang (일월도신장 日月都神將) God of the Sun and Moon
Ilwoldo Shinjang (일월도신장 日月都神將) God of the Sun and Moon
Ilwoldo Shinjang (일월도신장 日月都神將) God of the Sun and Moon
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