Nodutdols are Sanitary

 

 https://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South-Korea/Suwon/blog-865261-42.html 

This is a picture taken at the “Poop Museum” in Korea that captures and celebrates the Nodutdol. This statue is squatting over a Nodutdol, a Korean toilet that dates back to the eighth century AD. The Nodutdol also signifies unity in the Korean peninsula under indigenous leadership that persisted even after the kingdom was overthrown in the ninth century. The image of the statue on the left represents the preservation and continuity of history by depicting a modern day man in a modern day outfit using the Nodutdol. By capturing the ritual into a statue, this can be seen as a symbol or important ritual alluding to the history of Korea. Not only does this carry historical implications about unity amongst Koreans but it is known to be extremely clean as no body parts are touching any part of the toilet and the kickstand to flush (in the modernized iteration of this toilet) is conveniently located on the ground. Douglas highlights this idea by writing about how “rituals of purity and impurity create unity in experience” (Douglas 1966:3). While the Nodutdol does symbolize a ritual that creates unity within Korea, from an outsider's perspective, the ritual can also be interpreted as a deviation from modern or “proper” culture. Many foreigners who encounter a Nodutdol find it deeply uncomfortable and unsanitary as they are squatting for long periods of time and they are much closer to the ground. A western perspective most likely sees the Nodutdol under the lens of their own social rules of using the restroom, causing a negative reaction. Douglas explains this concept through the idea that “there is no such thing as absolute dirt: it exists in the eye of the beholder. If we shun dirt, it is not because of craven fear… dirt offends against order” (Douglass 1966:2). Despite the toilet’s hygienic nature and historic significance, this toilet is still associated with this metaphorical “dirt” under Western standards because of their unfamiliarity with practicing this ritual. Douglas argues that there is nothing inherently wrong or dirty, rather it is just the associations that people have on differing rituals. The Nodutdol can be seen as something that taints foreigners' perceptions of Korea as these toilets give impressions about other aspects of the country as there is an “interesting level at which pollution ideas relate to social life” (Douglas 1966:4). Douglas claims that what is seen as pollution is automatically linked to status and implications about the practices of social life in that practicing country. In this way, we see the nonrational nature to determining and categorizing others as none of the differences that imply danger about other groups are based on logical, rational choices. 

Douglas, M. (2015). Introduction. In Purity and danger: An analysis of concepts of pollution and taboo with a new preface by the author (pp. 2–7). essay, Routledge.