Guro-gu Holds 'Thuja Ceremony' to Pray for Overcoming COVID-19

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) will hold the 'Thuja Tree Ritual' event on the 6th to pray for overcoming COVID-19.

Guro-gu stated on the 5th, "To inherit traditional culture and create a space for communication among neighbors, we hold a ritual every autumn under the Thuja tree in Garibong-dong," adding, "This year, through the Thuja Tree Ritual, we pray for the end of COVID-19 and the well-being of residents."

The Thuja tree in Garibong-dong is an ancient tree over 500 years old, approximately 15 meters tall and 2.5 meters in circumference, estimated to be the oldest Thuja tree in Korea. It was designated as a protected tree by Seoul City in 2004. Traditionally, it was believed that a large snake guarding the village lived in this tree, and performing a ritual around the autumn harvest season would ward off misfortunes. The ritual, which was suspended during the Korean War (6.25), was revived in 2002 through the efforts of Garibong-dong residents.

The event will be held at the pavilion yard in the area of 13-175 Garibong-dong, where the Thuja tree is located. Following traditional methods, a ritual table will be prepared, and the ceremony will proceed in the order of Gangsin (burning incense and pouring liquor into a cup placed on a wooden tablet), reading of the ritual text, bowing, sharing of ritual food and drink, and Soji (lighting thin paper on fire and releasing it into the air).

To ensure quarantine measures, only a minimal number of people will attend this year's ritual.

Guro-gu plans to produce videos and leaflets of this Thuja Tree Ritual to use as materials introducing Korea's unique ritual culture.

A Guro-gu official said, "We hope that this Thuja Tree Ritual will ease residents' worries caused by COVID-19 and become an opportunity for good things to happen, just like the long-held belief."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.