Imoogi Wants to Become a Dragon — Nawol Jewelry Blog

The dragon, a symbol of divinity

In the East, the dragon has long been considered a symbol of strength, fortune, and life. It is a divine being that brings rain, rules the world, and fulfills human wishes. And the being that trains for years to become that dragon is the Imugi.

The Legend of the Imoogi Who Wanted to Become a Dragon

In a folktale of blessings handed down from ancient times, there's a story about a dragon who wants to become a dragon. A young man, on his way to pray to the gods for blessings, finds himself in trouble, unable to cross a large river. The river's dragon offers the young man a favor, asking , "Find out why I can't ascend to heaven." The young man asks the god why, and is told, "That dragon is carrying two Yeouiju pearls, making it too heavy to ascend." Ultimately, the dragon gives the young man one of the Yeouiju pearls, and only then, after letting go of his greed, is he able to ascend to heaven.

The Imoogi of Nawol, 'Yongyong '

Nawol's "Yongyong" is inspired by that very story. It depicts the Imugi, a being who abandons greed, breaks free from the shackles that imprison him, and pursues his dreams. The Imugi, who longs to become a dragon, is given a Yeouiju, expressing the hope that he will truly experience freedom. Beneath the Imugi's face, a gemstone resembling the color of the sky is set, forming a sparkling centerpiece as a symbol of ascension.

Birth in a new form

This piece is based on the "Imugi Pendant" first introduced by Nawol, and is currently being developed into a necklace and brooch. The photo shows an early design stage version; the final version will be revealed once completed.

Nawol interprets the symbols of traditional folktales with modern aesthetics, and aims to remain a brand that constantly evolves and grows like the Imoogi's journey.