No. 016
Yeongno
영노 (yeongno)
A comic imaginary beast in the 'Yeongno act' of the ogwangdae and yaryu mask dramas of South Gyeongsang. Claiming it has eaten ninety-nine yangban aristocrats and will ascend to heaven after one more, it lunges at the yangban, mocking and criticising him.
Names
- Korean
- 영노
- Hanja
- No hanja attested in a source
- Revised Romanization
- yeongno
- English
- Yeongno
Habitat
The stage of the Gasan, Goseong, Gimhae, Masan and Tongyeong ogwangdae and the Dongnae and Suyeong yaryu.
Abilities
- Eats yangban aristocrats; one more and, it says, it will ascend to heaven.
Attestations
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Encyclopedia of Korean Culture Encyclopedia
What it says: The yeongno article: which mask dramas include it, its character and variations, and the structure and role of the Yeongno act.
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Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture Encyclopedia
What it says: The yeongno article, on the beast as a symbol of criticism of the yangban.
Interpretation and notes
It varies by troupe: some yeongno never mention ascending, some come down from heaven, some do not eat the yangban at all. The yeongno of the puppet play kkokdugaksi noreum is a different character.