중2 능률 김성곤 – 해석하기 Lesson 3. Understand the World
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Lesson 3. Understand the World
Traditional Korean Symbols
Peter is visiting Korea to meet a friend, Mina, from a sister school.
Peter is going to stay at her grandfather’s house for a week.
When he arrives, Mina shows him the guest room.
Mina: Peter, you will stay here.
This guest room is full of traditional Korean things.
Look at this pillow.
Peter: What are these things?
Mina: They’re bats.
Peter: Bats on my pillow? That’s scary!
Mina: Not really.
In Korea, bats are symbols of luck and a long life.
중2 능률 김성곤 – 해석하기 Lesson 3. Understand the World
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Peter: That’s surprising.
In many Western countries, bats remind people of darkness and scary things.
Mina shows Peter her grandfather’s room.
Peter and Mina’s grandfather meet and greet each other.
Grandfather: Hi, Peter!
Have you ever seen this kind of lock before?
Peter: No, I haven’t.
It’s so old that I can’t really tell, but is it a fish?
Grandfather: Yes. For a long time, Koreans have thought that fish are good guards.
Fish don’t close their eyes, even when they sleep.
Peter: That’s interesting.
Grandfather: We think fish can watch over valuable things.
중2 능률 김성곤 – 해석하기 Lesson 3. Understand the World
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That’s why this lock looks like a fish.
Peter: Now I understand.
They go outside and walk around the garden.
Peter: What is on that piece of paper?
It looks scary.
Grandfather: Do you mean this painting of a rooster?
Peter: Oh, is it a rooster?
Grandfather: Yes, it is.
Roosters crow every morning.
Their crowing means that a new day is beginning.
For many years, Koreans have believed evil spirits go away when a rooster crows.
Mina: Really? I’ve never heard that before.
중2 능률 김성곤 – 해석하기 Lesson 3. Understand the World
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Peter: Actually, I’m afraid of darkness and evil spirits.
Could you draw a rooster for me, Mina?
Mina: Sure. I’ll draw a big rooster for you!
Grandfather: Put the drawing above your door.
Then it will protect you.
Peter: Yes, I will.
Peter’s Diary May 28
I’m enjoying this trip so much that I want to stay longer.
I love all the traditional Korean symbols in this house.
Now I understand a lot of them.
I want to visit Korea again with my family.
