In ancient times illness was thought to be due to something entering the body, and recovery meant ridding oneself of this contamination. Shamans, usually female, were employed to drive away this evil spirit. The original function of the shaman was not just to drive evil spirits from the body, but to charm away all the spirits that bring unhappiness. The shaman also performed rites invoking the gods' blessings for good fortune, the birth of a male child or a good harvest, etc.

To cure the sick, the shaman made offerings of food and wine, and sometimes even sacrifices of animals, symbolizing the ill person. In return for the offerings, the shaman would request the spirits to leave the body and home of the sick person and never return. Making the entreaty, the shaman would sing, chant, dance and pray.

If this was not effective, a more active and hostile approach was made. The locality of the spirits would be sought out and if found, beaten, shut up in a bottle, floated down the river, buried in the ground or wounded with a sharp knife or stick through a performance that symbolized these actions. These performances, lasting anywhere from an hour to a week, were accompanied by music.

Fortunetellers were often consulted in the treatment of illness. Through divination, it was believed they could determine the causes of the sickness and advise an appropriate treatment. Not only illness, but also misfortune, and calamities of various kinds, were attributed to evil spirits. To protect against these forces, Koreans would often post pujok, or talismans, at certain places in and around the house such as the gate, the ceiling beam, over the door, and in the barn. Most talismans were painted in red ink on yellow or white mulberry paper. Red has traditionally been thought to possess the power to suppress evil, and for this reason, red beans, red clay, red gowns and other red items are often used in shamanistic rites.

Korean talismans range in style from highly structured, geometric patterns to free-form swirls and doodles. Some consist of a single Chinese ideograph and others incorporate lines of Chinese or Sanskrit into a maze of effigies, figures, star charts and religious symbols. Used not only for exorcising evil spirits, some talismans were also seen as assisting those in need of special help.

The employment of such talismans is an involved process requiring rites of purification, performing chants, painting the talisman, and posting it in the appropriate place. At the beginning of the lunar year, Buddhist monks often prepare talismans and send them to their followers for posting. The beginning of springtime is an important season and, by custom, families usually post a talisman in the hope that spring will bring happiness and harmony to the family.

Information provided by the Korean Embassy