West Coast 'Multe Knowledge' (물때지식) Proposed as National Intangible Heritage
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration has proposed designating traditional knowledge of tidal cycles, known as 'multe knowledge' (물때지식), as a new national intangible heritage. This knowledge system—built from long-term observation of tides and astronomical relationships between Earth and the Moon—has guided fishing, salt farming, mudflat use (노두), and coastal daily life along the Yellow Sea (West Coast) and the southern coast. Historical records dating to the Goryeo and Joseon periods document tide names and 15-day tidal cycles; scholars like Sin Kyung-jun recorded regional tide charts and compared times across Korea and neighboring China. The administration noted the knowledge’s value for maritime culture, folklore, linguistics, and scientific study, and its continued use today via tide calendars and smartphone apps. Because this knowledge is widely shared across coastal communities, the designation is proposed as a community-based heritage item (no single custodian). A 30-day public comment and naming survey will precede final review by the Intangible Heritage Committee.
