Constructing Group Mental Health in the Cross-Cultural Reception of Traditional Korean Cultural Symbols
Shuang LiAbstract
Objective
The Korean dragon cultural symbol is a significant cultural phenomenon in the cross-cultural exchange and reception of East Asia. After the Chinese dragon culture was introduced to the Korean Peninsula, it gradually developed into a cultural image with distinct regional characteristics, and in the process of dissemination, it influenced the psychological cognition and mental health of members of society.
Subjects and Methods
Drawing upon reception theory and relevant theories of mental health, this study employs a literature analysis method to examine the cross-cultural reception of Korean dragon cultural symbols, with a particular focus on analyzing their mechanisms in alleviating social anxiety, enhancing the sense of security, and maintaining group psychological stability.
Results
The study finds that the widespread reception of dragon cultural symbols in Korean society stems from their responsiveness to mental health needs such as drought-related anxieties, survival pressures, and political uncertainties in an agricultural society. Related cultural rituals and cultural narratives provide psychological support and emotional reassurance, thereby strengthening social members' sense of security and belonging.
Conclusion
The cross-cultural reception of dragon cultural symbols not only promoted the development of traditional Korean culture but also formed a sustained mechanism for mental health adjustment. By facilitating symbolic identification, collective rituals, and the construction of cultural memory, it promotes psychological stability and emotional regulation, offering a new perspective for research on group mental health within the context of the East Asian cultural community.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under Grant Number 2025M783860; The Guangdong Provincial Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Project under Grant Number GD26YZW03; The Major Project of National Social Science Foundation of China "Compilation, Collation and Research on Chinese Modern Novel Literature Held by East Asian Countries" under Grant Number 25&ZD073.
Corresponding Author
Shuang Li, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.