The Gumiho and the Crane

In The Crow and the Fox , La Fontaine presents the crow, a symbol of vanity and credulity, and the fox, the embodiment of cunning and flattery. Flattered by the fox's words, the crow opens its beak to sing and drops its cheese, which the fox quickly snatches up—thus showing how pride leads to downfall.

In Korea, the crane plays an almost opposite role to that of the crow: it represents purity, wisdom, and spiritual elevation, far removed from any vanity. The gumiho , the nine-tailed fox, on the other hand, shares the same symbolic essence as La Fontaine's fox: a deceptive seduction and dangerous cunning that exploit weakness.

Thus, by comparing these figures, we can say that the crow/fox duo in La Fontaine illustrates human fragility in the face of flattery, while the crane/ gumiho duo in Korea contrasts spiritual virtue with cunning perfidy. In both cultures, this opposition underscores that true greatness lies neither in appearances nor in flattering words, but in inner wisdom.

Size: 60 x 30 cm

Materials: Gouache on canvas