Samseonghyeol
The Samseonghyeol (Korean for “three clans' holes”) are three large holes in the ground in Jeju on Jejudo, an island in the Korea Strait. The holes are in the city's urban area on the central north coast.
| Samseonghyeol | |
| Hangul | 삼성혈 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Samseonghyeol |
| McCune–Reischauer | Samsŏnghyŏl |
Legend
According to legend, here three demigods emerged from the ground to become the founding fathers of Tamna and its people, whose descendants bear their family names:
- Go Eulna (Korean: 고을나; Hanja: 高乙那; RR: Go Eulna; MR: Ko Ŭlna)
- Ryang Eulna (Korean: 량을나; Hanja: 良乙那; RR: Ryang Eulna; MR: Ryang Ŭlna)
- Bu Eulna (Korean: 부을나; Hanja: 夫乙那; RR: Bu Eulna; MR: Pu Ŭlna)
According to an animated film shown at a local shrine, a mysterious man later arrived by ship bringing three beautiful princesses who became their wives, taught them agriculture, and helped them to develop and populate the island. Eventually the three men shot three arrows from the top of a mountain which landed in three places on the island, signifying the places of residence for their descendants.