The origin of the sotdae can be found in the combination of the so-called Cosmic Tree and the Sky Birds. Birds, usually shaped like ducks, were placed on the sotdae, and ducks, associated with water and depth, were regarded, depending on the village, as bringing water necessary for farming or as beings that prevented floods and fires.
In this way, sotdae became a symbol of faith, representing prayers for a bountiful harvest, protection of the village, warding off misfortune, and protecting the well-being and prosperity of the community. Chang Eungbok aimed to capture the auspicious and protective meanings of the sotdae in a single design, then turned it into wallpaper so that positive energy could permeate living spaces.
* Village Guardian Pole
