A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
The Western Queen Mother, called Su Wang Moo in Griffis’s text, keeps dragons that draw silver and golden chariots and guard her longevity peaches alongside genii. None may grant a peach to a mortal without her permission. A prince rides partly on a dragon’s back and partly in its chariot during his visit to the island.
Later a flying dragon renowned for gathering news tells the queen that two separated lovers have met again. A golden chariot drawn by two dragons with emeraldlike eyes then arrives in a fragrant white cloud and carries the pair to their wedding on the Island of Gems. The news-gatherer, the earlier transport animal and the final pair are not expressly identified as the same individual dragon.
Origins & earliest records
Korean tale in an English literary retelling
Records & interpretation
Full relevant tale and collection preface directly read.
In the literature
“a flying dragon that was famous for gathering up news”
The Magic Peach, printed p.100
A news-gathering dragon reports the lovers’ reunion to the queen.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Korean Fairy Tales
The Magic Peach, pp.89–101
- 02
Korean Fairy Tales — The Magic Peach
NewYork:ThomasY.Crowell selected edition with copyright1911 and1922 explicitly printed; year1922 describes selected historical witness, not ancient origin. Full selected tales3/4/7/14/16/20 plus introductory note read independently. William Elliot Griffis is English reteller, not a documented individual Korean narrator. His fictional Grandma Kim/Mrs.Crinkles frames are distinguished from oral-source evidence.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
William Elliot Griffis, Korean Fairy Tales (1922)
The Magic Peach. The Magic Peach, pp.89–101
Complete chapter directly read, truncated passage reread. Literary telling with no named actual oral informant; original paraphrase of public-domain-US witness. No source-image verification claimed.
Located primary passages
Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.
Korean Fairy Tales
NewYork:ThomasY.Crowell selected edition with copyright1911 and1922 explicitly printed; year1922 describes selected historical witness, not ancient origin. Full selected tales3/4/7/14/16/20 plus introductory note read independently. William Elliot Griffis is English reteller, not a documented individual Korean narrator. His fictional Grandma Kim/Mrs.Crinkles frames are distinguished from oral-source evidence.
- Su Wang Moo, the Western Queen Mother, owns dragon-drawn silver and golden chariots and keeps dragons/genii guarding longevity peaches. Only she may grant the fruit to mortals. A prince travels partly on a dragon and partly in its chariot; the banished maiden later petitions the queen after a dragon journey. A news-gathering dragon reports the lovers’ reunion; two emerald-eyed dragons bring their wedding chariot.
The Magic Peach, printed pp.89–101, complete tale, dragon actions92–94/99–101
Guardian dragons, initial transport, later travel mount, news-gatherer and final pair are not expressly the same individual. The prince’s mother’s suspicion of sea-monster maidens is not confirmed.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical English literary retellingGriffis, Korean Fairy Tales, The Magic Peach, pp.89–101Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.