As in many ancient cultures worldwide, the origins of Korean civilization is shrouded in mystery. The line between myth and history was something that was not well-defined for pre-industrial peoples. However, this is not to say that all of the early history written was more myth than actual history. Within the fantastical myths and magical stories are some pieces of truth as myth often is inspired by something that may have actually happened. The basis of the Trojan War in Homer's Illiad for example may have been influenced by the history of an actual event. Historical founders of early Korean states and Korean civilization have been attributed all sorts of paranormal tales and supernatural powers or origins. Many of the paranormal stories that have been passed down through the ages that is known in Korean folklore is written in the Samguk Yusa 삼국유사, which was written in the Goryeo Period and also includes various founding myths that predate the Samguk Period. Each of the states involved in the Samguk Period had its own supernatural founding myth, but a common motif among these stories were divine births and founders with superhuman qualities.
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