The Truth of Dandong Siphoon: A 4,300-Year-Old Secret or a Modern Myth?

Exploring the moving legend of the baby game ‘Dandong Siphoon’ and the hidden historical truths behind it.

• The mythical meaning of the ten teachings in ‘Dandong Siphoon’
• Why the legend of ‘Dandong Siphoon’ is not historical fact
• The true origins and scientific effects of games like ‘Doridori’ and ‘Jjakjjakkoong’

The World’s Oldest Language of Love, Dandong Siphoon

Imagine a quiet moment sitting face-to-face with your baby. Holding the baby’s soft hands and softly singing “Doridori… Jjakjjakkoong…” might be humanity’s first conversation. We have thought of this game as just a simple gesture to soothe the baby.

But what if this game secretly encodes our nation’s history and the philosophy of the universe like a cipher? The surprising story is that ‘Doridori’ and ‘Jjakjjakkoong’ are actually the royal vision childcare methods passed down from the Dangun era over 4,300 years ago, known as Dandong Siphoon (檀童十訓). Let’s open the door to this secret together.

Part 1. The Universe Unfolding on Your Lap: The Ten Teachings of Dandong Siphoon

‘Dandong Siphoon’ means ’the ten (十) teachings (訓) that the children (童) of Dangun (檀) must learn’. It is said to be not just a simple game but a scientific training that develops neural and fine motor skills, as well as philosophical education instilling the laws of the universe.

Teaching 1. Bulabulah (弗亞弗亞): Hymn of Life

Holding the baby’s waist and gently swaying side to side, blessing the preciousness of life as “You are a precious being descended from the heavens.”

Teaching 2. Sisang Sisang (侍上侍上 / 詩想詩想): Lesson of Respect

Rocking the baby back and forth, teaching to comply with the world’s order and respect elders.

Teaching 3. Doridori (道理道理): The First Step of Wisdom

Shaking the head left and right, conveying wisdom to not look only one way but understand the principles and reason of all things.

Teaching 4. Jiam Jiam / Jjom Jjom (持闇持闇): Wisdom of Discernment

Opening and closing both hands, teaching to firmly hold what is true and right and keep away from what is wrong.

Teaching 5. Gonji Gonji (乾知坤知 / 坤地坤地): Harmony of Heaven and Earth

Tapping the palm with fingers, symbolizing understanding the principles of heaven and earth to become a harmonious person.

Teaching 6. Seomma Seomma (西摩西摩): Encouragement for Independence

Cheering “Seomma Seomma” when the baby tries to stand alone, encouraging growth as an independent individual.

Teaching 7. Eopbi Eopbi (業非業非): The First Moral Rule

Preventing dangerous behavior by saying “Eopbi Eopbi,” teaching not to do what is wrong.

Teaching 8. Aham Aham (亞含亞含 / 亞合亞合): The Microcosm Within

Mimicking covering the mouth with hands, teaching to gather the energy of heaven and earth inside and be careful with speech.

Teaching 9. Jjakjjakkoong (作作宮): Joy of Creation

Clapping hands expresses the joy of yin and yang harmoniously meeting to create something new, also wishing for health.

Teaching 10. Jillaabi Hwollhwoll (地羅亞備活議 / 支娜阿備活活議): Blessing for Freedom

Holding the baby’s arms and dancing like a butterfly, blessing the child’s soul and body to fly freely in the final ritual.

Doesn’t this feel like a grand epic rather than just baby play?

Part 2. The Historian’s Question: Cracks in an Old Story

When I first encountered this story, I thought it was truly beautiful and moving. But the historian’s fate is to ask questions beyond admiration. Facing thousands of years, we must examine the cold evidence.

First Mystery: Language Change

Language is a living organism that constantly changes. It is linguistically almost impossible that sounds and meanings from 4,300 years ago have been transmitted unchanged to today.

Second Mystery: Anachronism of Chinese Characters

All interpretations of Dandong Siphoon rely on Chinese characters like ‘Dori (道理)’ and ‘Gonji (坤地)’. However, according to historical consensus, Chinese characters were not commonly used in the Korean Peninsula during the Dangun era. This is a clear anachronism, like a smartphone appearing in a Joseon Dynasty painting.

Third Mystery: Philosophical Time Travel

Concepts like ‘Dao (道)’ and ‘Yin-Yang (陰陽)’ appeared in the commentary, but these philosophies were systematized much later during China’s Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Claiming such advanced philosophy existed in the Dangun era contradicts historical chronology.

Interestingly, the Chinese characters and Eastern philosophy used to prove Dandong Siphoon as our tradition ironically demonstrate it is not ancient.

Part 3. The Modern Birth of an ‘Ancient’ Tradition

So where did this beautiful story originate?

The first clear appearance of ‘Dandong Siphoon’ in literature is in the 1962 book The Shining Spirit of Our People, which is closer to ideological interpretation by a certain ethnic religion than historical verification.

This story gained traction combined with pseudohistory, which distorts history without rigorous academic methods to fit the conclusion of a ‘great ancient nation.’ In particular, groups that revere Hwandan Gogi (桓檀古記) or organizations like Jeungsanism (甑山道) actively spread this story to support their worldview.

Crucially, through a 2008 major newspaper column and a 2011 EBS documentary, ‘Dandong Siphoon’ was imprinted on the public as an authoritative ‘secret of our tradition.’ This was a ‘modern myth’ created by the combination of the public’s desire to boost national pride, pseudohistorical narratives, and uncritical media acceptance.

Part 4. The Plain Truth: ‘Doridori’ Is Just ‘Doridori’

So what is the true nature of these words when all interpretations are stripped away?

According to the National Institute of the Korean Language, ‘Doridori’, ‘Jjakjjakkoong’, ‘Gonji Gonji’, ‘Jjom Jjom’ are all pure Korean words passed down without special Chinese character origins. Most are likely onomatopoeic or mimetic words imitating sounds or movements.

• Jjom Jjom (Jam Jam): The standard word is ‘Jjom Jjom,’ not ‘Jam Jam,’ a shortened form of ‘Jwaeam Jwaeam’ meaning the baby opening and closing hands.
• Jjakjjakkoong: A pure Korean word meaning a baby’s handclap play or a well-matched pair.
• Gonji Gonji: A mimetic word representing tapping the palm with fingers, with various regional dialects like ‘Jinjin’ (Gyeongsang) and ‘Jikkang Jikkang’ (Jeolla). Such diversity is unlikely if it originated from fixed Chinese characters.

Comparison / Alternatives

Comparison of the ‘Dandong Siphoon’ Myth and Academic Analysis

Conclusion

There is no need to be disappointed that the story of ‘Dandong Siphoon’ is not historical fact. The desire behind believing this myth—that “my child will grow wise and righteous”—is a timeless, sincere wish shared by all parents.

Surprisingly, the educational effects promised by the ‘Dandong Siphoon’ myth are supported by modern neuroscience and developmental psychology. These games are highly effective holistic education for emotional bonding, physical, and cognitive development.

Key Points in 3 Lines

1. ‘Dandong Siphoon’ is not a vision from the Dangun era but a modern myth created after the mid-20th century.
2. Words like ‘Doridori’ and ‘Jjakjjakkoong’ are pure Korean imitative words, not profound Chinese character meanings.
3. Though a myth, these games play a vital role in a child’s emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.

Ultimately, the real secret in ‘Doridori Jjakjjakkoong’ is not the teachings of Dangun 4,300 years ago but the instinctive wisdom and love of parents passed down through generations. Now, beyond the myth of ‘Dandong Siphoon,’ focus on the true magic in your bond with your child. That is the greatest and oldest secret we’ve been searching for.