Protecting Ginseng Cultivation and Medicinal Culture as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Covers the Entire Culture Related to Ginseng, Not Just Ginseng Itself
Farms Distributed Across the Korean Peninsula; Specific Holders and Organizations Not Recognized

Ginseng Field

Ginseng is a representative medicinal herb of Korea. It has been used for diplomacy and trade since the Three Kingdoms period. It was considered precious and highly effective, thus regarded as special. The "Mingyi Bie Lu," completed at the end of the Han Dynasty in China, even contains a poem praising the ginseng of Goguryeo people. The first recorded ginseng trade in historical texts was the tribute sent by King Muryeong of Baekje to Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty in 513. Silla also engaged in ginseng diplomacy. When Emperor Taizong of Tang unified China, he attempted to foster friendship by sending tribute.

Ginseng, known as Goguryeo ginseng, Baekje ginseng, and Silla ginseng, came to be collectively called Goryeo ginseng with the establishment of the Goryeo dynasty. According to the "Annals of the Joseon Dynasty," its cultivation flourished greatly in the 18th century. Records in late Joseon literature such as "Sanlim Gyeongje," "Haedong Nongseo," "Imwon Gyeongjeji," and "Monggyeongdang Ilsa" confirm that processing was also done.

The cultivation methods and medicinal culture of ginseng, which have such a long history, are managed as a national intangible cultural heritage. On the 20th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that, following the review by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, "Ginseng Cultivation and Medicinal Culture" has been newly designated as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is the first time that traditional knowledge in the agricultural field has been designated as intangible cultural heritage. The subject encompasses not the ginseng itself but the entire culture related to ginseng, including cultivation and processing techniques and ginseng-related foods. Considering its academic and cultural value, it was named "Ginseng Cultivation and Medicinal Culture."

Traditional Ginseng Shade Facility

An official explained, "During the announcement period for the national intangible cultural heritage designation, the name 'Goryeo Ginseng' was frequently suggested, but it was judged necessary to encompass the culture related to ginseng." They added, "The core element of ginseng-related culture is 'medicinal use (藥用)', which can be seen as a concept that goes beyond the meaning of medicinal herbs to include ginseng-related food, rituals, legends, and folktales."

The Cultural Heritage Administration focused on seven values in designating the national intangible cultural heritage: ▲ Its long history and transmission throughout the Korean Peninsula ▲ Confirmation of its effects and cultivation records in various Joseon Dynasty documents ▲ Active research in fields such as Korean medicine and great potential for research in agriculture and economy ▲ Transmission of related culture such as food, ceremonies, and folklore ▲ Its excellent medicinal efficacy and quality, which historically held an important position in international trade ▲ The existence of numerous communities and related groups such as regional ginseng cooperatives, various research institutions and academic societies, and national and private support organizations ▲ The maintenance of empirical agricultural knowledge through intergenerational transmission even today.

Insammun Bapsangbo

Ginseng has long been regarded as a herb of immortality (불로초, Bullocho) or a cure-all herb (만병초, Manbyeongcho). Its patterns still symbolize health and longevity on various daily items. An official stated, "The social and cultural symbolism of ginseng as a beneficial and precious medicinal herb is deeply rooted in the Korean sentiment."

Ginseng cultivation is demanding in terms of environment and takes 4 to 6 years. It is a semi-shade plant that requires only a small amount of light for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis can stop if the external temperature exceeds 30℃. Therefore, it is mainly cultivated in cool and shaded places.

The Cultural Heritage Administration did not recognize any specific holders or holder groups because the farms are distributed throughout the Korean Peninsula, similar to other intangible cultural heritages such as Ssireum (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 131), Jang Making (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 137), and Kimchi Making (Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 133). The new designation will be officially announced in the government gazette on the 1st of next month, and a commemorative event will be held at the National Palace Museum of Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.