With a history so vast it is difficult to preserve the traditions

and cultures from the olden times yet Korea seems to have

maintained it despite the many invasions and situations that it

went through. Nationalism and patriotism is reflected in all the

Koreans.

Every country has their own mythology and belief of how their

people came to be and Koreans have their too. The Korean

mythology speaks of a demigod Hwan Woong who came down

on earth on Taebak Mountain which is now the Gangwon-do

Province in South Korea. The demigod met a bear and tiger

living in a cave who wished to become humans. The demigod

asked them to eat 20 cloves of garlic and refrain from sunlight

for 100 days if they wished to become man. The tiger failed

the test as it couldn't withstand the dark but after 21 days the

bear became a woman. Since there was no one for the

woman to procreate Hwan Woong turned himself into a man

temporarily creating the Korean race. Maybe this is why the

Koreans love garlic and use it extensively in their cooking.

While the mythology seems too fun to hear the history of

Korea speaks of something else. Korea happens to be one of

the most culturally homogeneous countries across the globe.

They show very few physical and cultural differences among

them. Koreans have great respect for their ancestors and

elders. Confucian culture dominates the area and it is seen in

other factors of life as well where age and marital status of a

person gives him or her certain seniority. The Koreans are

simple people today with an extensive history of their ancestors.