The Truth of Dandong Shiphun: A 4,300-Year Secret or a Modern Myth?

Exploring the touching legend of the baby game ‘Dandong Shiphun’ and the historical truths hidden behind it.

The mythical significance of the ten teachings contained in ‘Dandong Shiphun’
Reasons why the legend of ‘Dandong Shiphun’ is not a historical fact
The true origins and scientific effects of games like ‘Dori Dori’ and ‘Jjak Jjakgung’

The Oldest Language of Love in the World, Dandong Shiphun

Imagine a quiet moment with you and your baby sitting face to face. Holding your baby’s soft little hands and softly singing “Dori Dori… Jjak Jjakgung…” may be the first conversation of humanity. We have thought of this game as just a simple gesture to entertain the baby.

A mother and baby interacting face to face

But what if this game hides the history of our people and the philosophy of the universe like a code? The surprising story is that ‘Dori Dori’ and ‘Jjak Jjakgung’ are actually the royal vision parenting method that has been passed down since the era of Dangun over 4,300 years ago, known as Dandong Shiphun (檀童十訓). Let’s open the door to that secret together.

Part 1. The Universe Unfolding on Your Lap: The Ten Teachings of Dandong Shiphun

‘Dandong Shiphun’ means ’the ten teachings (十) that the children (童) of Dangun (檀) must learn’, and it is said to be a scientific training that develops neural connections and fine motor skills, as well as a philosophical education that instills the principles of the universe.

Teaching 1. Dori Dori (道理道理): A Hymn of Life

Holding the baby’s waist and swaying them side to side, we bless the preciousness of life by saying, “You are a precious being descended from heaven.”

Teaching 2. Sisang Sisang (侍上侍上 / 詩想詩想): The Teaching of Respect

Gently shaking the baby back and forth teaches them to comply with the principles of the world and to respect adults.

Teaching 3. Dori Dori (道理道理): The First Step of Wisdom

Shaking the head side to side conveys the wisdom to not only look at one side but to understand the principles and truths of all things in the world.

Teaching 4. Ji-am Ji-am / Jjeom Jjeom (持闇持闇): The Wisdom of Discrimination

Opening and closing both hands teaches the ability to firmly hold onto what is true and right while distancing oneself from what is wrong.

Teaching 5. Gonji Gonji (乾知坤知 / 坤地坤地): Harmony of Heaven and Earth

Poking the palm with fingers conveys the meaning of realizing the principles of heaven and earth and becoming a harmonious person.

Teaching 6. Seomma Seomma (西摩西摩): Encouragement of Independence

When the baby tries to stand on their own, we cheer them on with “Seomma Seomma,” encouraging them to grow as an independent individual.

Teaching 7. Eobbi Eobbi (業非業非): The First Moral Code

Preventing dangerous actions while saying “Eobbi Eobbi” serves as the first moral education, teaching not to do what is not right.

Teaching 8. Ahham Ahham (亞含亞含 / 亞合亞合): The Microcosm Within

Pretending to cover the mouth with hands teaches to gather the energy of heaven and earth within oneself and to be cautious with words.

Teaching 9. Jjak Jjakgung (作作宮): The Joy of Creation

Clapping hands expresses the joy of creating something new through the harmonious meeting of yin and yang, and it also conveys wishes for health.

Teaching 10. Jilla Abi Hwalhwal (地羅亞備活議 / 支娜阿備活活議): A Blessing Towards Freedom

Holding the baby’s arms and dancing like a butterfly is the final ritual blessing for the child’s soul and body to soar freely.

Don’t these games, which we thought were just baby antics, feel like a grand epic?

Part 2. The Historian’s Question: Cracks in the Old Story

When I first encountered this story, I thought it was a truly beautiful tale. However, the fate of a historian is to go beyond being moved by beautiful stories and to ask questions. In the face of ’thousands of years,’ we must examine cold, hard evidence.

Several unresolved mysteries are discovered within the seemingly perfect story.

The First Mystery: The Change of Language

Language continues to change like a living organism. It is linguistically nearly impossible for the sounds and meanings from 4,300 years ago to have been transmitted unchanged to today.

The Second Mystery: The Anachronism of Chinese Characters

All interpretations of Dandong Shiphun are based on Chinese characters (漢字) like ‘Dori (道理)’ and ‘Gonji (坤地)’. However, according to historical consensus, Chinese characters were not commonly used in the Korean Peninsula during the Dangun era. This is a clear anachronism, similar to depicting a smartphone in a painting from the Joseon Dynasty.

The Third Mystery: The Time Travel of Philosophy

Concepts such as ‘Do (道)’ and ‘Yin Yang (陰陽)’ mentioned in the explanations were systematized in the Chinese Spring and Autumn period, long after the Dangun era. The claim that such advanced philosophy existed during the Dangun era does not align with historical chronology.

Interestingly, the attempt to prove that Dandong Shiphun is our unique tradition paradoxically demonstrates that it is not ancient.

Part 3. The Modern Birth of an ‘Old’ Tradition

So, where did this beautiful story originate?

The first clear appearance of ‘Dandong Shiphun’ in literature is in the book “The Radiant Spirit of Our Nation” published in 1962, which is closer to a specific ethnic religious interpretation than historical verification.

This story gained strength by combining with pseudohistory. Pseudohistory refers to ‘fake history’ that distorts history to fit the conclusion of ’the greatness of our ancient people’ without adhering to rigorous academic methodologies. In particular, some groups, such as those who believe in the “Hwandan Gogi (桓檀古記)” or Jeungsando (甑山道), actively disseminated this story to support their worldview.

The media played a crucial role in spreading ‘Dandong Shiphun’ as common knowledge among the public. — The media played a crucial role in spreading 'Dandong Shiphun' as common knowledge among the public.

Ultimately, through a prominent newspaper column in 2008 and an EBS documentary in 2011, ‘Dandong Shiphun’ became ingrained in the public consciousness as an authoritative ‘secret of our tradition’. This was a ‘modern myth’ created by the combination of the public’s desire to inspire national pride, the narrative of pseudohistory, and the uncritical acceptance of the media.

Part 4. The Bare Face of Words: ‘Dori Dori’ is Just ‘Dori Dori’

So, what is the true form of these words when all interpretations are stripped away?

According to the National Institute of the Korean Language, ‘Dori Dori’, ‘Jjak Jjakgung’, ‘Gonji Gonji’, and ‘Jjeom Jjeom’ are all native Korean words passed down without special Chinese character origins. Most likely, they are onomatopoeic words imitating sounds or mimetic words imitating movements.

Jjeom Jjeom (잼잼): ‘Jjeom Jjeom’ is the standard term, and it is a shortened form of ‘Jweam Jweam’, meaning ’the action of the baby opening and closing both hands’.
Jjak Jjakgung: A native Korean word meaning ’the clapping of a nursing baby’ or ‘something that fits well together’.
Gonji Gonji: An onomatopoeic word representing the action of poking the palm with fingers, with various regional dialects like ‘Jin Jin’ (Gyeongsang) and ‘Jikgang Jikgang’ (Jeolla). This is a phenomenon that would be difficult to appear if it originated from fixed Chinese characters.

Comparison/Alternatives

Comparison of the ‘Dandong Shiphun’ Myth and Academic Analysis

Let’s compare the fascinating myth of ‘Dandong Shiphun’ with the truths revealed by history and linguistics in the table below.

Game	Mythical Interpretation of ‘Dandong Shiphun’	Linguistic/Historical Analysis
Dori Dori	道理道理: Understand the principles of heaven and earth	Native Korean mimetic word. The action of shaking the head side to side. No historical/literal basis.
Jjak Jjakgung	作作宮: Create a palace (new world) through the harmony of yin and yang	Native Korean onomatopoeic word. The sound of clapping hands. Expanded meaning of ‘fitting well together’.
Gonji Gonji	乾知坤地: Know the principles of heaven and earth	Native Korean mimetic word. The action of poking the palm with fingers. Various dialects exist.
Jjeom Jjeom (잼잼)	持闇持闇: If you can hold the truth, you can also let it go	A shortened form of ‘Jweam Jweam’. A native Korean word representing the action of opening and closing hands.

Conclusion

There is no need to be disappointed that the story of ‘Dandong Shiphun’ is not a historical fact. The desire to believe in that myth, wishing for ‘my child to grow up wise and righteous’, is a timeless and genuine hope shared by all parents.

Interestingly, the educational effects promised by the myth of ‘Dandong Shiphun’ are being proven through modern neuroscience and developmental psychology. These games are the best form of ‘holistic education’ that are highly effective for the emotional bonding, physical, and cognitive development of children.

Three Key Points Summary

‘Dandong Shiphun’ is not a vision from the Dangun era, but a modern myth created after the mid-20th century.
‘Dori Dori’, ‘Jjak Jjakgung’, etc. are native Korean words imitating sounds or shapes, not profound meanings from Chinese characters.
While the myth is not factual, these games play a crucial role in the emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children.

Ultimately, the real secret contained in ‘Dori Dori Jjak Jjakgung’ is not the teachings of Dangun from 4,300 years ago, but the instinctive wisdom and love of parents that have been passed down through generations. Now, focus on the real magic contained in the connection with your child beyond the myth of ‘Dandong Shiphun’. That is the greatest and oldest secret we have been searching for.

References