Moran Hill is located on the bank of the Taedong River, which flows through Pyongyang City. It was called Kumsu Hill during the feudal Joson dynasty. Later, it was given the name “Moran Hill” as it resembles a peony (pronounced like ‘moran’ in Korean)
Regarding it as a pride of Pyongyang from olden times, Korean people have created many legends related to the hill.
The legends reflective of the attachment to and love for Moran Hill are associated with the pride in having the beautiful Moran Hill and with the patriotism of Korean people who defended it from foreign aggressors.
The legends in praise of the beauty of Moran Hill are “Hungbudong” and “Story of Chongryu Cliff”. The former is about a mysterious spring and the latter says that the beautiful Chongryu Cliff was formed by the wonder of nature of the Dragon King, who was impressed by a boy with a heart of gold in Pyongyang.
The beautiful and noble customs and manners of Pyongyang people are depicted in such legends like “Chongryu Pavilion in Moonlight” conveying the sincerity of a boy in Kangdong who tried to save a girl in the Walled City of Pyongyang from misery and “Door of Happiness” reflective of the sentiments of the people.
Among the legends that represent the fighting spirit of the Pyongyang people who defended the beautiful city Pyongyang are “Ulmil Warrior” about a warrior who devoted himself to the defense of Pyongyang and Moran Hill, and “Kye Wol Hyang and ‘A Man of Heroic and Noble Mind’” about the struggle of Kye Wol Hyang, a young woman, who turned out in the fight against Japanese invaders.
As mentioned above, the legends of Moran Hill serve as priceless cultural heritage of our nation as they represent the desire and aspiration to boast of the beauty of Moran Hill to the world, the patriotism of Korean people, who defended it against foreign aggressors, and their beautiful sentiments.
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