The "Mooltae" Maritime Calendar Designated as National Intangible Heritage

Traditional Knowledge Systematizing Tidal Variations
Name Changed from "Knowledge of Mooltae" to Preserve Indigenous Term of Fishing Communities

The causeway of Geosari, Palgeumdo, Sinan County

The traditional knowledge system that systematizes the cyclical patterns of tidal currents has been inscribed on the list of National Intangible Heritage.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on March 26 that it has designated "Mooltae" (the indigenous term for tidal calendar) as a National Intangible Heritage. In consideration of its widespread public recognition, no individual or group has been designated as its holder.

This knowledge serves as a maritime calendar that organizes the cyclical differences in tides, caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, into regular intervals. It combines the experience of observing nature with astronomical knowledge.

The Cultural Heritage Administration initially considered designating it as "Knowledge of Mooltae," but chose the term "Mooltae" instead, in order to preserve the value of the indigenous term that encompasses the daily customs of fishing communities.

The extensive historical origins of this knowledge are evidenced by a wide range of literary sources. The "Goryeosa" (History of Goryeo) discusses daily knowledge about high and low tides, while the "Annals of King Taejong" records terms such as "Yuksu" (Six Waters) and "Sipsu" (Ten Waters), demonstrating that a systematic tidal calendar had already been independently developed in the early Joseon Dynasty. Later Joseon texts, such as the "Yeam Jeonseo" and "Yeongyeongjae Jeonjip," also left records of mooltae as a biweekly cyclical tide table. All these records are consistent with the mooltae system still passed down among the public today.

Tide Calendar of Jeju City Fisheries Cooperative

Even today, mooltae continues to serve as essential information for daily life among residents of the west and south coasts, where tidal differences are significant. It is indispensable not only for fisheries, but also for salt farms, land reclamation, the use of nodu (stone pathways across mudflats), and "baetgosa" (rituals for safe navigation and abundant catches).

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Mooltae holds significant academic value as a foundational resource for maritime culture studies," adding, "We will continue to provide support for academic research and programs that encourage the transmission of this heritage."

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