Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to analyze the symbolic representations embedded in the Mt. Paektu fairy tale as they relate to unconscious archetypal experiences and to emphasize the importance of therapist understanding of her/his internal psychic reality. This fairy tale tells a story about the two poor orphan boys. The older brother, Jangwoo, has a younger brother, Bawoo, who 15 gravely ill. Their deceased mother tells Jangwoo in a dream that the remedy for Bawoo's illness can be found in the Palace of the Dragon King in the Crater Lake of Mt. Paektu. Jangwoo heads for Mt. Paektu overcoming several obstacles along the way. After saving a red carp found near death in a snow-covered frozen pond, Jangwoo finds the stairs to the Lake Crater. Jangwoo meets the Dragon King with the help of the red carp, who turns out to be the Dragon Princess in disguise. Jangwoo comes back home with three yellow mushrooms and the Dragon King's mustache, which save Bawoo's life. Jangwoo's journey to the Palace of the Dragon King represents the developmental process of becoming a whole person. With the help of red Carp as his Anima, pent up psychic energy is restored and a transformation is possible, which facilitates the individuation process. This interpretation is used to emphasize the importance of the therapist individuation process, which is possible through therapist self-analysis. This article emphasizes that therapist self-analysis provides an opportunity to directly encounter one's internal psychic reality.