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When the Magpie Sings Take a look at the magpie in the pine tree. Korean people say that a welcome guest comes when a magpie sings. Jesus Christ seems to be a most welcome guest in this small straw-roofed house where the humble classes once lived. He wears a typical Korean outfit for a male child, including a Bokgun (Korean cloth hat for boys). Mary, as a married woman, does her hair up in a chignon and wears a simple garment of subdued color. Joseph, a married man himself, wears his hair in a topknot, and dons a simple light blue outfit. Traditionally, men and women wear Chogoris (Korean-style jackets); women’s Chogoris are shorter than those of men. Young and old welcome the presence of Baby Jesus. Youth is represented twice: by a village girl, respectfully bowing before the infant, and dressed in a brightly colored, blue and red Han Bok (Korean costume). As a maiden girl she wears her hair in braids. The young and kneeling villager, with braids and in a colorful costume, throws his arms up in joy. Also kneeling and greeting the future redeemer with a more measured gesture of respect, is the old villager, his hair bound in a topknot. He is clothed in an outfit of subdued colors. The rural setting of the Korean nativity, made of Dackjongie (Korean paper), is further marked by the smaller structure representing the barn, and the traditional jar stands where the soy sauce jars are placed. Koreans kept in these jars Gochujang (the thick soy paste mixed with red pepper), Duenjang (soybean paste), Ghanjang (soy sauce), and Kimchi (Korean Cabbage pickles). . |
