Dangun (Korean: 단군; Hanja: 檀君; RR: *Dan'gun*; MR: *Tan'gun*) is a legendary founder of Korea in Korean mythology. He is said to have founded Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, in 2333 BCE. The name Dangun is often translated as "Altar Lord" or "Sandalan's Lord," with "Dan" (檀) meaning "altar" and "gun" (君) meaning "lord" or "prince." In Hebrew, this could be translated as אדון המזבח (*Adon HaMizbeach*). The myth of Dangun is recorded in various Korean historical texts, including the Samguk Sagi and the Jewang Ungi. According to the myth, Dangun's mother, Eobe Seongo (어배선우), was a bear who transformed into a human woman after eating sacred mugwort and garlic. She then gave birth to Dangun, who became the ruler of Gojoseon. The legend of Dangun holds significant cultural and nationalistic importance in Korea, symbolizing the origins of the Korean people and their ancient civilization.
Korean king and deity
Tan'gun, also known as Tan'gun Wanggŏm, was the legendary founder and first king of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. He founded the first kingdom around the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. He is said to be the "grandson of heaven", "son of a bear", and to have founded the first kingdom in 2333 BC.