[Gallery Walk] Humanity and the Ox: Overcoming Epidemics Together, and Into the New Year...

First Exhibition of the Year of the Ox at the National Folk Museum
The Ox's Contribution to Preventing Humanity's Most Terrifying Diseases
Wishing for a Peaceful Year Filled with the Ox's Steadfast Spirit
"May Its Reliable Energy Be with Us Again Next Year"

The coming year is the Year of the Ox (Sinchuk-nyeon). The ox is the second animal in the twelve zodiac signs (Sibiji). In terms of time and space, it represents 1 to 3 a.m. and the north-northeast direction. It also carries the meaning of warding off evil spirits. This is well reflected in talismans and paintings such as Chukbang and Chuksin, which are believed to block misfortune from the north-northeast. In Buddhism, Chuksin is regarded as the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva. It is said that the ox appeared to correct the wrongful eyes and hands of humans.

The bold spirit and strong will of the ox are fully embodied in the "Twelve Zodiac Banner (Chuksin)" at the Tongdosa Seongbo Museum. This is a painting of Chuksin (89 cm wide by 174 cm tall) holding an axe in its right hand. It features an animal's face and a human body, a half-human, half-beast figure. It is said that when this banner was hung in the appropriate direction during major temple events, it protected against evil spirits.

Yoon Sungyong, Director of the National Folk Museum of Korea, stated, "The ox has always been by our side, steadfast, sincere, and loyal," and added, "The spirit of 'Ubo Cheonri' (the ox's steady pace covers a thousand miles) will be the driving force to overcome the confusion caused by COVID-19."

The National Folk Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition titled "By Our Side, the Ox" until March 1 of the following year. The aim is to convey the reliable energy of the ox. The exhibition showcases more than 80 items and videos, including images and uses of oxen close to our daily lives, such as the "Twelve Zodiac Banner (Chuksin)," "Mokudo," yokes, harnesses, ox horn boxes, and ox horn thread cases. Kim Heejae, curator of the exhibition, expressed hope that everyone would receive the ox's spirit, which symbolizes diligence, composure, and self-sacrifice, and that both body and mind would be at peace.

Diseases like COVID-19 are not unfamiliar to oxen. Since their domestication, oxen have shared many diseases with humans. The rinderpest virus, which devastated the world, is a prime example. Korea was no exception. The Annals of King Jungjong from 1541 record the following: "Most of the oxen in Pyeongan-do died from disease, and the same is true for Hwanghae-do. (...) According to local people, 'Not every household lost their oxen to disease; in some cases, all ten oxen died, while in others, not a single ox was affected.'"

It was for this reason that, by King Jungjong's order, the "Treatment Methods for Infectious Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, and Pigs" was compiled. This document excerpted, summarized, and translated various treatment methods for livestock epidemics. However, the spread of the epidemic did not easily subside. According to the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, about 66% of draft oxen died of rinderpest in 1637 and 1639. It is believed that the virus likely originated in China and was introduced into Korea, as the direction of the Qing army's advance during the Byeongjahoran invasion coincided with the direction of the rinderpest outbreak.

The lives of the people gradually became more impoverished. Chun Myungseon, professor at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine, explained, "The anxiety caused by the epidemic led to concerns about farming," and added, "There were even suggestions to punish the killing of oxen as severely as the killing of people, out of fear that the livestock population would be wiped out." In fact, King Hyeonjong imposed restrictions on slaughtering oxen.

The rinderpest virus continued to be rampant during the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese authorities believed that the rinderpest virus spread from China to Japan via the Korean Peninsula. Owners and managers of oxen showing abnormal symptoms were required to slaughter them under the supervision of police, military police, police veterinarians, or quarantine officials. Additionally, all oxen in the border areas between China and Korea were ordered to be injected with immune serum. The rinderpest virus was eradicated in 2011 thanks to the success of vaccination and culling policies.

Oxen have also saved humans from diseases. One of the oldest viruses in human history, smallpox, is a case in point. In the 20th century alone, smallpox claimed 300 million lives, demonstrating its terrifying infectiousness. The fatality rate was also high, and even survivors were left with severe scars.

Humanity was able to gain the upper hand in its long battle against smallpox thanks to the discovery of vaccination. In 18th-century England, it was known that women who milked cows did not contract smallpox. The English physician Edward Jenner (1749-1823) conducted an experiment based on this belief. He collected cowpox from the hand of a woman named Sarah Nelmes and inoculated it into wounds on the arms of an eight-year-old boy, James Phipps. Phipps developed cowpox for a while but showed no reaction to smallpox.

Jenner published these results in a paper titled "Variolae vaccinae." The Latin word "vacca" means cow. This later became the origin of the words "vaccination" and "vaccine." Professor Chun stated, "Cattle, which have had a close relationship with humans for a long time, made a significant contribution to the prevention of the most terrifying disease in human history," and added, "I hope this exhibition will provide an opportunity to reflect on how we should coexist with such a grateful being under various circumstances."

Kim, the curator who planned "By Our Side, the Ox," explained, "In Buddhist paintings, the ox symbolizes the true nature of humanity, which is constantly being sought. In geomancy, land that resembles a comfortably lying ox or the shape of an ox's belly is considered auspicious." Kim continued, "I hope that in the Year of the Ox, which symbolizes peace and composure, everyone will be able to overcome the hardships of COVID-19 and enjoy a time of comfort."

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