[Jeju Myth] Seolmundae Halmang: The Giant Goddess Who Shaped Jeju

The Giant Hands That Crafted Jeju

Regarding how Jeju's 360-plus oreums (volcanic cones) and Hallasan Mountain were formed, the ancestors of Jeju imagined a giant goddess named "Seolmundae Halmang." According to the legend, she carried soil in her skirt to create Jeju Island. The mounds of earth that spilled from her skirt became the countless oreums, and the soil that remained at the end was piled up to become what is now Hallasan Mountain.

This legend, which explains the birth of the terrain through the actions of a giant, embodies the imagination and reverence for nature held by the people of Jeju, who cultivated a barren volcanic island into their home.

Traces Remaining on the Border of Myth and Reality

Stories of Seolmundae Halmang are intertwined with the actual terrain all across Jeju:

• Birth of Terrain: Tales include Hallasan's peak being broken off and thrown to become Sanbangsan Mountain, or the "Deunggyeongdol" (lampstone) at Seongsan Ilchulbong where she allegedly placed her lamp while sewing. These legends vary by region, illustrating how ancestors infused natural phenomena with narratives to give them meaning.
• The Unfinished Dream of a Bridge: A tragic story tells of her proposal to build a bridge to the mainland. The people attempted to collect 100 bolts of silk for the construction, but they could only gather 99, leaving the bridge unfinished—a narrative reflecting Jeju's difficult maritime environment.

From Creator Goddess to Our Grandmother

Seolmundae Halmang remains more than just a creator god. She appears in various forms: sometimes as a divine figure crossing the ocean with her massive body, and other times as a familiar grandmother doing laundry or sewing. Scholars interpret this transition as the process by which her divinity as a creator goddess has gradually evolved over time into regional legends and humorous folk tales.

Tips for a Humanities Walk

Viewing with Mythical Imagination: When climbing an oreum, don't just look at its height or crater shape. If you recall the legend that it is a mound of soil from a giant goddess's skirt, the scenery of Jeju will feel like a grand storybook filled with devotion and imagination rather than just volcanic terrain.

Harmony of Fact and Legend: While Seolmundae Halmang's story cannot scientifically explain the birth of Jeju, it is a valuable heritage that shows how the people of Jeju understood and loved this barren land. Explore Jeju by crossing the physical facts of nature with the mythical imagination of the ancestors; it will make the landscape feel much deeper and richer.