Eopsin is one of the Gasins, or gods, who protect the home in Korean mythology. However, unlike other Gasins who are believed to embody pottery, paper, and other inanimate objects, Eopsin is special in that it appears in animal form.
This was because Koreans considered snakes and weasels that eat mice and rats to be sacred.
Since scholars have used Chinese characters throughout Korean history, Eopsin is represented by kanji. This literally means 'Goddess of Professions'. ,
Some scholars argue that the religions of the Mongolians, Japanese, and Ryukyuans are ethnically and culturally similar to Korea. In Mongolia, there are stone piles based on shamanism known as Ovoos. Some scientists point out the linguistic similarity between 'Eob' and 'Ovoo'. (The suffix '-sin' just means 'god')
Eopsin is the goddess of the storage and wealth in Korean mythology and shamanism. She is one of the Gasin, or deities that protect the house. However, unlike other Gasin, who were believed to embody pots, paper, and other inanimate objects, Eopsin is special in that she appears in an animal form. This is because Koreans considered snakes and weasels, who ate mice and rats, holy.
In Japan, there are village gods called Ubusuna. According to Shinto belief, Ubusuna is the guardian gods who protect a person in the place where he is born. Some scientists also compare 'Eob' with 'Ubusuna'. Another belief thought to be related to Eopsin is the village god named Ibi in the Ryukyuan Islands.
Eopsin was believed to represent rat snakes in general and occasionally weasels and frogs. Rarely, Eopsin was believed to be cattle, pig, rooster, or dog. There are even records of Ineob or Eopsin taking human form.
Koreans believed that they had to worship Eopsin (along with Theojusin) in order to become rich. Because she was the goddess of accumulation. Thus, Koreans did not harm or drive away rat snakes or ferrets, even when they entered their homes. It was believed that when the mouse snake, weasel, frog, and similar animals left the house, Eopsin left the house. Believing that the absence of Eopsin would lead to bankruptcy, Koreans prevented animals from leaving the house.
In some areas, people believed that Eopsin was in the form of a pot called Eob Hangari. Some families would place rice inside the pot (like Seongjusin's Seongju Danji) and cover it with a wicker umbrella (like Teojusin's Teojutgari).
In poor homes without storage, Koreans wove two wicker baskets. Baskets were placed in the living room of the house and it was believed that Eopsin was embodied in this way. After harvest or during festivals, people sacrificed and prayed to Eopsin.
Eopsin was also believed to be a pitch-black snake with ears. It was mostly invisible but could appear as a rat snake, weasel, frog, cattle, pig, rooster, dog, or human. It was believed that if the goddess appeared in a person's dream, it was a sign that the person would have financial difficulties.