Case file · Folklore / legend

Kim Hyeon and the tiger maiden

A young man circling the Heungnyunsa pagoda at night met a girl who was a tiger; she gave her life so he could win honour for 'killing' the beast terrorising the city.

790 CE · 35.84, 129.21 · status: legend

The account

The Samguk yusa sets the tale under King Wonseong. Kim Hyeon built Howonsa, 'Tiger Wish Temple', for her soul.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Samguk yusa
  2. Wikipedia: Korean tiger
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