“From Sacred Steeds to Everyday Companions” – National Folk Museum’s Year of the Horse Exhibition
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
The National Folk Museum of Korea opened a special Year of the Horse exhibition, “So Many Horses,” exploring the long relationship between humans and horses in Korean life and culture. The three-part show traces horses as sacred mediators in ritual and death (e.g., steeds carrying gods and the dead), local breeds like the small, hoofless-adapted Jeju horse (Jeju-ma), and horses’ roles in history and modern memory—from military mounts and travel infrastructure (ma-pae, postal stations) to cultural icons in art and contemporary works. The exhibition features folk artifacts (e.g., horse bells, toy rocking horses), stories of famous horse-related figures like Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and calligrapher Chusa Kim Jeong-hui presented in four-panel comic format, and interactive programs such as making an amulet horseshoe (symbolizing protection), crafting ma-pae replicas used by secret royal inspectors, Mongolian horsehead fiddle (manghurd) performances, and hands-on crafts. The museum hopes the show will prompt visitors to reflect on the horse’s continuing symbolic and everyday presence. Open through March 2, 2026.
