Birds I View

Above are a couple of sotdae, traditional wooden birds sat atop high, thin poles.

These two are part of an intricate decoration of plants and ornaments that a person or shop owner has consructed within a planted area on a footpath near my house.
Traditionally though, sotdae can be found at entrances to villages in Korea. They are a talisman used to ward off evil as well as to wish for well-being and prosperity.

I'm not sure if the exact origins of sotdae are known, but common belief is that the birds on the top are ducks. Ducks had significant historical meaning in old Korea, being that they had the ability to move on and under water, as well as over land and through the air. As they are migratory birds, many also belived they could travel to and from the underworld.

Villagers would arrange the direction of the birds heads differently, probably depending on what they desired - perhaps toward the rising sun for a good harvest, or in the direction of left relatives during times of war.

No doubt due to their aesthetics as well as their history, sotdae can now be seen used in many different ways all over the country - as well as being sold in smaller forms in gift shops and at craft fairs.