​Giant folk painting to be displayed in central square as talisman to ward off bad luck and pandemic

SEOUL -- A set of giant folk paintings showing two warlords clad in golden armor will be on display at a public square in central Seoul during the Korean Lunar New Year holidays. The traditional paintings used to be displayed on the gates of public places as a talisman to ward off bad luck and evil spirits.

The Cultural Heritage Administration said in a statement that "Moonbaedo" paintings will be displayed in the heart of Seoul for three days from February 11 in an event aimed at eradicating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dogs, tigers, chickens and lions are favored in traditional Moonbaedo. The paintings of warlords were recreated based on a relic that has been kept for generations as an heirloom by the Ryu family in Andong some 185 kilometers (114 miles) southeast of Seoul.