Shinseung

A shinseung is a totem commonly found on the boundary lines of settlements or areas of ritual importance. Their use is a practice that is largely universal in Gyerim, though their appearance and materials vary. The totems are most often placed in spots where the boundary crosses a means of transportation like a road, path, navigable body of water, or outside a gate.

Manufacturing process

Most frequently, the totems are a pole of wood, old tree, boulder, or a column of stone with a figure or face carved into them. However, the materials and specific iconography used to create shinseung varies based on the region and resources available. This is due to the belief that the material used to create them should come from within the boundaries being protected if possible. Recycling is also encouraged, like carving a dead tree that is already in place along the boundary or reusing a large piece of wood or stone salvaged from an unused building.
The shinseung is often carved by one of the community’s spiritual leaders, as the spirit in question helps guide the creation process. Who exactly this is varies based on culture and local tradition. There is no effort made to try and copy an existing template or image, just to give the impression of the spirit. As part of this, the sculptor often attempts to utilize the internal structure and imperfections of the stone or wood as much as possible, leading to exaggerated features and frightening appearances.

Significance

While useful for demarcating community property, they are important as shrines to tutelary spirts or guardians. The guardian spirits that reside in the shinseung are most often village ancestors or local nature spirits. Each spirit will often get more than one totem so it can move around the settlement and the different entry points, so the totems are often placed in groups to make sure at least one spirit is at each cluster of shinseung. These clusters are made larger because the totems are not repaired or removed if they become damaged or wear away. Instead the community will add new ones alongside the old. The larger clusters are also the site of rituals done by the community for the spirits in question to thank them for their service.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Rarity

They are found in small groups along the boundaries of most settlements in Gyerim, as well as ritual sites, temples, tomb sites, and other places of spiritual importance.

Raw materials & Components

A pole of wood, old tree, boulder, or a column of stone with a figure or face carved into them.