📖 The Abandoned Princess Who Crossed the Underworld
Long ago, in an ancient kingdom, a great king and queen yearned for a child. They prayed to the heavens, seeking a son who would inherit the throne.
One day, the queen finally gave birth—but to their disappointment, the child was a girl. The king, furious and ashamed, abandoned the infant outside the palace walls. The baby, nameless and alone, was left to the mercy of fate.
A kind old woman passing by heard the baby’s cries. Taking pity, she raised the child and named her Bari, meaning "abandoned." Though she was raised in humble surroundings, Bari grew into a wise and compassionate young woman, unaware of her royal lineage.
Years passed, and the once-mighty king fell gravely ill. No doctor or healer could cure him. In despair, the queen sought the guidance of an old shaman, who revealed that only a mystical life-giving water from the depths of the underworld could save him. But the journey was perilous, and no one dared to venture into the realm of the dead.
When Bari heard of the king’s suffering, she stepped forward. Though she had been cast away at birth, she could not ignore her father’s plight. With unwavering determination, she embarked on the treacherous journey.
She crossed vast mountains, braved fierce storms, and waded through rivers teeming with spirits. At every step, she encountered trials that tested her endurance. She met wandering ghosts who tried to lead her astray, encountered demons who whispered doubts into her ears, and battled terrifying creatures that sought to devour her soul. Yet, with each hardship, Bari’s resolve only grew stronger.
After years of hardship, she finally reached the underworld. There, she stood before the mighty King of the Dead, who gazed upon her with cold, hollow eyes. "Why have you come to my realm, mortal girl?" he asked.
Bari bowed deeply and spoke with unwavering courage. "I seek the life-giving water to save my father, the king. I have come through many trials to reach you."
The King of the Dead was both impressed and amused. "Very well," he said, "but nothing in this world comes without a price. If you wish for the sacred water, you must give yourself to me in marriage and remain in the underworld forever."
Bari hesitated for only a moment. Her heart ached at the thought of never returning, but she knew her duty was greater than her own desires. "I accept your terms," she said.
With a solemn nod, the King of the Dead handed her a golden vessel filled with the shimmering, otherworldly water. As she grasped it, she felt the immense power it held, capable of restoring life itself.
But just as she was about to accept her fate in the underworld, a miracle occurred. The spirits of those she had helped along her journey, the lost souls she had guided and comforted, rose up and pleaded for her release. "She has shown kindness beyond measure," they cried. "Let her return and fulfill her destiny."
Moved by their loyalty and devotion, the King of the Dead relented. "You may leave," he declared, "but your fate will always be intertwined with the realm of spirits."
Bari, now carrying the sacred water, hurried back to the mortal world. But as she reached the palace, she found her father barely clinging to life. She knelt by his side and carefully poured the elixir into his lips.
A gasp. A tremor. And then—the king's eyes fluttered open. His sickness melted away, his strength returned, and he gazed at Bari with newfound recognition.
Tears streamed down his face as he grasped her hands. "My daughter, whom I cast away, has saved me... I am unworthy of your kindness."
But Bari only smiled softly. "A soul’s worth is not measured by how it begins, but by what it chooses to become."
Despite the king’s pleas to remain by his side, Bari declined. She had seen the mysteries of life and death, walked the path of the lost, and understood the suffering of wandering souls. Instead of becoming a princess, she chose to become a divine guide, leading spirits to peace and easing the sorrows of the living.
Thus, Bari ascended to the heavens, becoming Korea’s first great shaman, the bridge between the living and the dead.
📌 The Meaning Behind the Legend
- A Story of Forgiveness & Sacrifice: Princess Bari embodies the virtues of filial piety, resilience, and selfless love. Though abandoned, she returns not with revenge, but with compassion.
- The Origin of Korean Shamanism: Many believe Bari became the first mudang (shaman), a bridge between the world of the living and the dead.
- The Journey of the Soul: Her travels to the underworld symbolize the human journey—overcoming trials to reach enlightenment and purpose.
📌 Real Locations & Cultural Connections
🏮 Shamanistic Rituals (Gut 굿) - Even today, Korean shamans invoke Bari’s name during spiritual rites. 🌊 Sacred Waters in Temples - Some Buddhist temples in Korea have life-giving water sources linked to this legend.
🔮 The Legacy of Princess Bari
Even after centuries, Princess Bari’s legend continues to inspire. It reminds us that forgiveness is stronger than revenge, and that true strength comes from kindness and sacrifice.
If you were in her place, would you have made the same choice? Would you forgive those who abandoned you? Or would you seek a different path?
Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s keep the spirit of these legends alive. ✨
