I received the following figures as a gift (photo below).

They were given to us by a Korean couple that had rented our house.

Behind the teeth there is a little hole that may be intended to hold something in them? They're not salt & pepper shakers as the tops don't have holes. The little propeller things in the back (which kind of look like a knife and spoon) are nailed on. They swivel, but they don't come off.

What are these things and what does the writing say??

Is there any significance to them?

I can't be sure but the writing looks Japanese or Chinese, not Korean.

They are indeed Korean. They are a pair of very popular "Spirit Posts". Wait until I can get a copy of the explanation in English, or someone else who has the correct explanation may post.

I'd say they'd make some very large salt/pepper shakers LOL

Thank goodness Mr. Joe knew what they were, because I sure wouldn't have. Be a nice addition to an Asian themed room if you were to have one

__________________

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They are Spirit Posts. You have to keep them together, it's a male and female set. It's supposed to bring good luck, or good fortune, or something along those lines, to your home. At least thats what I was told when I got mine. I THINK they said the writing was Chinese because the tradition is that old.

I havent gotten the English translation yet, but I know who has it. For now,read this:
http://www.eldritchdark.com/galleries/inspired-by-cas/129/zhar-%28as-represented-as-%27changsung%27---a-tcho-korean-%27spirit%7Cdevil-post-or-poles.%27%29

The post on the left says "chun-ha dae-jang-gun" (in Korean: 천하대장군; in Chinese: 天下大將軍), which literally translated: "chun-ha" = below the heavens, and "dae-jang-gun" = general (in modern military terms - a 4-star general officer). Loosely translated in actual English terms: "General of the upper world" (i.e., that which is above ground).

The post on the right say "ji-ha dae-jang-gun" (in Korean: 지하대장군; in Chinese: 地下大將軍), which literally translated: "ji-ha" = below the ground, and "dae-jang-gun" is the same as the description above. Loosely translated in actual English terms: "General of the lower world" (i.e., that which is below ground).

As to why the male version is the general of the upper world and the female is the general of the lower world...I don't know.

Here are a few examples of actual spirit posts. They are associated with Shamanism. You still see them out in Korean countryside, but they seem to becoming more and more rare.

I am more of curious what it's doing in the office on top of the ledge.