The original name of the Great King Yeongdeung was Hwang Yeongdeung. He belonged to neither the earth, the heaven nor the Dragon Palace.
One February day in Chinese calendar, Yeongdeung was playing cowry trumpet when he heard a big noise on the sea. He found that strong wind pushed the fishing boat of Hansu-ri Hansu-eup toward where one-eyed carnivore giants live.
Yeongdeung hid the sailors and provided the tail wind so that they could return home safely. By the time the fishermen came back home, one-eyed giants showed up with dogs. They tore Yeongdeung into three pieces and threw them into the sea. The legs of Yeongdeung reached the shore of Hansu-ri sea while the back and the head were washed onto the shore of Cheongsan(now Seongsan) and Udo respectively.
With his spirit surviving, Yeongdeung became a god blowing spring wind to Jeju. Jeju people have given him the name the Great King Yeongdeung and honored him between Feb 1st and Feb 15th every year by holding Yeongdeung exorcism rite.
The month of Yeongdeung exorcism rite is referred to as Yeongdeung month. And the cold wind during that time is called Yeongdeung wind. Jeju people do not have wedding ceremony during the period.
Jeju people believe that Yeongdeung visit Jeju in different clothing each year, though (it is) invisible. If the weather is good during Yeongdeung exorcism rite, Yeongdeung is in rugged clothing yet with good heart. If it is cold, Yeongdeung is in heavy clothing. In rainy days, Yeongdeung wears raincoat. As Jeju people came to feel close to Yeongdeung, they gave him many other nicknames such as Yeongdeung halmang (grandmother), Yeongdeung nasang (government worker), and Yeongdeung doryeong (boy).
The original name of the Great King Yeongdeung was Hwang Yeongdeung. He belonged to neither the earth, the heaven nor the Dragon Palace.