Chilsong, the Big Dipper, has roots in Taoism and Shamanism. The Great Bear Constella-tion, which is Chilsong, is visible year round, partly accounting for the great reverence with which he is regarded. Chilsong is thought to control both good and bad fortune. He is particu-larly popular among women hoping for children.

On the left hand side of the Main Hall or the Judgement Hall, a large painting of Chilsong is sometimes hung. The painting is colorful and impressive. It contains many figures and festive scenes. Presumably, when Buddhism came to Korea, people assumed that they were a manifestation of the compassionate Buddha. Seven Buddhas, one for each star, run in a row along the top of the painting. The seven stars pictured as Buddhas demonstrate the incorporation of originally Shaman concepts into Korean Buddhism.

Some large Korean temples have an entire shrine dedicated to Chilsong. In this case Chil-song is depicted economically in one statue. Like Bhaisagya Buddha, he holds a medicine cup in his left palm which rests on his left knee. In his other hand he sometimes holds a lotus flower. In addition to the statue, he is further depicted in seven paintings, one of each star deity, which are found on the walls of the shrine. In keeping with Chilsong's celestial nature, to the left and right, respectively, of the central Chilsong, are figures of Ilgwang and Wolgwang. Ilgwang's crown has at its center a red sun, Wolgwang's, a white moon. Both hold lotuses.