🍂 Korean Folktale Series 2
“Baridegi, the Abandoned Princess”
(바리데기 · Baridegi)
🕰️ 1. The Story
Long ago, a king and queen had six daughters but longed desperately for a son. When their seventh child was born and turned out to be another girl, the distraught parents abandoned her, giving her the name Baridegi, meaning “the Abandoned One.”
Despite her tragic start, Baridegi grew up strong and kind. One day, her father fell gravely ill. The only cure was the Water of Life, found beyond the land of the dead. Upon hearing this, Baridegi resolved to save her father.
She endured countless hardships—crossing dangerous mountains, passing through dark realms, and even working as a servant in the underworld. Eventually, she obtained the Water of Life and returned. Her father was healed, and Baridegi was no longer the forsaken daughter but honored as a goddess of life and death, guiding souls to the afterlife.
🪄 2. Meaning & Lesson
The tale of Baridegi reflects:
- Filial devotion and sacrifice that transcends rejection and pain.
- The strength of perseverance in the face of suffering.
- The transformation of misfortune into sacred duty and divine honor.
👀 3. Example from Life
- A child who, despite being neglected, still supports their family in times of need.
- Someone who turns personal hardship into compassion for others.
- A reminder that even the most abandoned and overlooked can achieve greatness.
🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World
- 🇨🇳 China: Stories of dutiful daughters who sacrifice themselves for parents in The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars.
- 🇯🇵 Japan: Legends of selfless women who endure trials to save family honor.
- 🇬🇷 Greece: The myth of Persephone, who journeys to the underworld, though with a different theme, also symbolizes endurance and transformation.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Even those cast aside can rise to become the light for others.”
📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.
'Korean Folktales & World Folktales' 카테고리의 다른 글
| Korean Folktale : Heungbu and Nolbu (0) | 2025.10.04 |
|---|---|
| Korean Folktale : The Mischievous Goblin (0) | 2025.10.04 |
| Korean Folktale : The Woodcutter and the Heavenly Maiden (0) | 2025.10.03 |
| Korean Folktale : The Tale of Sim Cheong (0) | 2025.10.01 |