Research on world “Water ghost stories”: Focusing on the types of water ghosts and the functions of ‘Seizer’

Water demons are beings that have an inseparable relationship with water, seducing people through their voices and eventually leading them to death. Water demons are dual beings, both human and ghost, and the mechanism of seduction and death through their voices is emphasized. Even to this day, ''‘Water ghost’ stories'' stands out among ''modern ghost stories'' more than any other story, and is actively handed down. In addition to beings called ''Water ghosts'', there are also monster-like water fairies, feminine beings with ''恨'' who seduce and eat people. It is found all over the world, including Germanic mythology, Slavic mythology, and Indonesian legends. They are people and ghosts, and monsters and fairies. Until now, this linguistic gap could not be resolved because the standards and foundations for storytelling had not been established. Now these Water ghost types need to be sorted out and redefined. We have experienced various symbolic dimensions of nature through the presence of water ghosts in the story. The archetype of the Water ghost changes over time, from the Water ghost who tempts people to death with voices from the past to the mermaid princess who sacrifices herself for love. In this paper, I have newly introduced the “Water ghost' stories” and have attempted to establish the types and prototype meanings of new theory of “Water ghost' stories” around the world. In addition to comparing stories from Korea and abroad, focusing on stories in which water ghost appear, we will also consider women's ‘Seizure’ and death through their voices. I would also like to classify the types and clarify the meaning of the original form of the World Water ghost.