KOREAN SYMBOLISM & PATTERNS MEANINGS

PATTERNS SYMBOLISM IN KOREAN ART.

In a previous publication METALWORK PATTERNS ON KOREAN FURNITURE, we listed the various decorative motifs on the hinges of Korean furniture. Below, we examine their meanings.

Korean furniture, such as bandaji (storage chests), jang (wardrobes), mungap (stationery chests), and ham (boxes or cases), is often decorated with symbolic patterns that reflect people’s wishes and aspirations. These patterns are typically engraved on metal ornaments like hinges, handles, knobs, clamps, and locks. They can be categorized into animals, plants, objects, letters, geometric figures, and natural forms.

Animal patterns often feature bats, butterflies, swallows, or fish, while plant patterns commonly include flowers like chrysanthemums, peonies, and pomegranates. Objects such as gourd bottles and yeoui (Buddhist ceremonial tools) are also used. Chinese characters, such as 卍, 壽福康寧, 多男, 壽福, 富貴, and 囍, are frequently incorporated to convey blessings like longevity, happiness, and prosperity.

Natural patterns might take the form of clouds or a crescent moon, while geometric designs include the Taegeuk symbol, Palgwae (The Eight Trigrams), and 卍. Furniture is often adorned with a mix of patterns, each carrying symbolic meaning and expressing the hopes of its owners.

This paper focuses on the symbolic meanings of patterns found in Korean furniture.

Decorative patterns play a significant role in Korean traditional art for several reasons:

Cultural Symbolism: Many decorative patterns in Korean art are deeply rooted in cultural symbolism, representing concepts such as longevity, prosperity, fertility, and protection from evil spirits. These patterns often draw inspiration from nature, mythology, and religious beliefs, reflecting the values and aspirations of Korean society.

Aesthetic Beauty: Korean decorative patterns are renowned for their intricate and harmonious designs. These patterns are often created using meticulous craftsmanship, demonstrating the skill and creativity of Korean artisans.

Cultural Identity: Decorative patterns are an important aspect of Korean cultural identity, serving as a visual expression of Korea’s artistic heritage. These patterns are passed down through generations, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Korean cultural traditions.

Spiritual Significance: Some decorative patterns in Korean art hold spiritual significance, with origins in shamanistic and Buddhist traditions. These patterns are believed to possess protective and auspicious qualities, serving as a connection to the divine realm and promoting spiritual well-being.

Overall, decorative patterns in Korean traditional art serve multiple purposes, ranging from cultural symbolism and aesthetic beauty to functional design and spiritual significance. They are integral to the rich tapestry of Korean artistic expression and continue to inspire admiration and fascination both within Korea and beyond.

LINK: Traditional patterns of Korea.

FIVE CARDINAL COLORS, DIRECTIONS, AND ELEMENTS

P L A N T S.

Flowers are frequently used as themes in plant patterns. In one sense, flowers represent beauty, peace, because the Chinese characters (花 – a flower) and (和 – peace) are homophonous.

They are pronounced as “hwa” in Korean. In particular, the Four Gracious Plants (the plum, the orchid, the chrysanthemum and the bamboo shoot) are the most popular for furniture.

The Four Noble Plants in Korean Art. Also called (Sagunja 사군자) the four gentlemen.

“The plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. The four noble plants represent the cycle of the four seasons (the plum blossom for winter, the orchid for spring, the bamboo for summer, and the chrysanthemum for autumn) and symbolize Confucian traits such as purity, humility, and perseverance. 

The four noble plants originated in Chinese art during the Song dynasty (960-1279). In the 15th century, the four noble plants expanded into Korean painting. While drawing and painting the four noble plants, scholars and nobility focused on the plants’ characteristics, reflecting on their lives, bodies, and minds. 

The plum blossom (매화) blooms between late winter and early spring. After surviving the harsh winter, its beautiful appearance in snowy weather epitomizes perseverance and hope. A fragrant and elegant plant, the orchid (난초) is often characterized as a feminine beauty and is associated with integrity. The chrysanthemum (국화) blossoms in late autumn, persisting through the first frost. Compared to a noble scholar, the chrysanthemum appears on many ceramics such as Goryeo porcelain. Finally, bamboo (대나무) is an evergreen plant that continues to grow straight and tall throughout the year. Because of these traits, bamboo is described as the spirit of an unyielding and firm governor.” Written By Madeline Chun (전 나영)

A N I M A L S

The main animal patterns on furniture include bats, butterflies, swallows, fish, and other animals considered auspicious, such as the bonghwang (Chinese phoenix), crane, dragon, turtle, and deer.

MYTHICAL ANIMALS

Symbols of the cardinal points:

• Blue dragon of the east
• White tiger of the west
• Red phoenix of the south
• Black tortoise-snake of the north.

RELIGIOUS  SYMBOLS.

Most of the religious motifs were engraved on wooden furniture intended for religious celebrations or reserved for scholarly use. They include Buddhist and Taoist motifs.

Ansang pattern:

Ansangmun (眼象紋) is a pattern whose name derives from its resemblance to an elephant’s eye, often used in conjunction with Yeouidomun (如意頭紋). It’s frequently carved on furniture that embodies frugality. The ‘eyesang (眼象)’ pattern commonly appears in various forms of Buddhist art, including Buddha statue pedestals, stone lanterns, stone pagodas, and wooden architecture, making it one of the most prevalent patterns alongside the lotus motif. Despite its significant symbolism, a clear and detailed explanation of its meaning and implications is still lacking.

However, the Chinese character for Ansang (眼象) uses the character for elephant (象), and the elephant is a symbol of nobility and authority, but more emphasis seems to be placed on the story that it symbolizes a blooming lotus flower.

C H I N E S E  C H A R A C T E R S.

T H E  T E N  L O N G E V I T I E S

The Sun, the Eternal Light and Life

The sun is a symbol of longevity and immortality because it never fails to rise every day and give light and life to all living things. It also nourishes the plants and animals. The sun has renewable energy that can be harnessed for solar power or thermal energy. The sun is a constant and dependable presence that does not change.

Mountains, the Unchanging and Immovable

Mountains are a symbol of endurance and immortality because they are unchanging and immovable. They can withstand the passage of time and the elements. Mountains are also linked to Daoist immortals, who are said to dwell in the mountains or seek the herb of eternal youth there.

Water, the Life-Giving and Powerful

Water is a symbol of life and longevity because it is essential for all living things. It can also symbolize harmony or power depending on how it flows. Water can be calm and peaceful like a lake or a river, or it can be fierce and unstoppable like a waterfall or a flood. Water is also versatile and adaptable as it can take different shapes or states in different environments.

Clouds, the Harmony of Yin and Yang

Clouds are a symbol of harmony and balance because they represent the combination of the dual principle of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are the opposite forces that make up everything in the universe. They complement each other and create harmony when they are in balance. Clouds also resemble the shape of the herb of eternal youth, which is another symbol of longevity.

Crane, the Faithful and Heavenly

Cranes are a symbol of eternal youth and fidelity because they have a long lifespan and choose a mate for life. They also have white feathers that signify purity and grace. Cranes can fly high in the sky, which makes them closer to heaven. Cranes are often depicted with peaches or the herb of eternal youth in their beaks.

Deer, the Peaceful and Youthful

Deer are a symbol of harmony and happiness because they live peacefully in the forest with other animals. They also have a long lifespan and can find the herb of eternal youth with their keen sense of smell. Deer are graceful and gentle creatures that symbolize beauty and elegance.

Turtles or Tortoises, the Wise and World-Carrying

Turtles are a symbol of longevity and wisdom because they have a long lifespan and a slow but steady pace. They also have a curvy shell that resembles the shape of heaven, while their flat body resembles the shape of earth. In Taoist philosophy, turtles are supposed to carry the world on their back. In Buddhism, turtles are also an important symbol as they were used for divination in ancient times.

Pine Trees, the Evergreen and Resistant

Pine trees are a symbol of immortality and resilience because they are evergreen, meaning they stay green throughout the seasons. They can also live up to 1,000 years, which is very long for a tree. Pine trees are resistant as they can bend under pressure rather than break. Pine trees are considered to be the national tree of Korea and are mentioned in their national anthem.

Peaches,

The Herb of Eternal Youth, the Legendary Mushroom

The herb of eternal youth is a legendary mushroom that grants immortality to those who eat it. It is also known as Yeongji in Korean. It is said to grow only in remote mountains or islands where only deer or cranes can find it.

Symbolic Meaning of Patterns on Furniture – Jung Yonhak (Curator, The National folk Musem of Korea)

Korean furniture, such as bandaji, jang and nong (wardrobes), mungapjang (stationery chests), and ham (boxes), are typically decorated with symbolic patterns implying wishes and expectations of people).

These patterns are engraved on metal ornaments such as lock plates and hinges, handles, knobs, clamps, locks, and they can be classified into animals, plants, physical objects or letters, geometrical figures….

Animal patterns usually take the forms of bats, butterflies, swallows, or fish. Used in plant patterns are mainly flowers such as chrysanthemum, “maehwa“, peony, pomegranate, and “mokdan“.

The main physical objects include gourd bottles and “yeoui” (ceremonial tools in Buddhism).

Pieces of furniture and their ornaments are also decorated with Chinese characters such as 卍, 壽福康寧, 多男, 壽福, 富貴, and 囍. Some of patterns can take natural forms like the clouds or a halfmoon. In addition, other patterns found include geometrical figures such as “Taegeuk” design, “Palgwae” (The Eight Trigrams for Divination) and 卍. In general, a piece of furniture is decorated with various forms of pattern, each of which has a symbolic meaning and implies wishes of people.

PATTERNS ON FURNITURE.

There is no systematic classification of patterns on furniture. The classification in this study includes categories such as animals, plants, physical materials, letters, natural objects, and geometrical figures.

The main animal patterns on furniture are figures of bat, butterfly, swallow, fish.

Other animals that have been considered auspicious : Chinese phoenix, crane, dragon, turtle, and deer.

On furniture, you can also see the grass design such as dangcho-mun or indong-mun or their combination, which is called the indong-dangcho-mun. Both the two plants “dangcho and indong (woodbine)” belong to the vine, dangcho is known to have broader vines compared with indong (woodbine). The dangcho-mun is one of the most widely used grass designs in the Tang dynasty of china. Indong (忍冬) is a vine plant that is found in Korea and China’s mountainous areas, and the name implies the meaning of a patient grass that stands the cold of winter. The design of vines on furniture also reflects the wish for the prosperity of descendants.

COMBINATIONS OF PATTERNS AND THEIR SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE.

In Korean folk paintings, flowers with birds, grass with insects, flowers with butterflies, and bats often appear, each carrying symbolic significance. For example, a painting of flowers with birds signifies that a married couple will live in conjugal harmony, a theme often depicted on folding screens. Every decoration on furniture has symbolic importance, and the combinations of various designs express specific wishes, as shown below:

卍 + bat : Great fortune

卍 + vines : Having many kids

Two bats : Twin fortunes

Five bats : Five blessings

Vines + 卍 + bat : Descendants’ continuous prosperity

Vines + 壽 + 囍 + bat : Longevity, fortune, happiness, and having many kids

卍 + cintamani : Everything will turn out as one wishes

Korean brass coin + bat : Blessing of wealth

Cintamani + bat : Everything will go well.

Taeguk + butterfly : Eternal pleasure

Butterfly + vine : Descendants’ prosperity and longevity

Butterfly + flower : Pleasure

Flower + bottle : Harmony and peace

SAMPLES OF DECORATIVE MOTIFS ON KOREAN FURNITURE.

It is not an exaggeration to say that furniture like soban and bandaji accompanies people throughout their entire lives. These pieces play crucial roles in daily life, such as carrying food and safeguarding important items, thereby contributing to the health and well-being of the home. During the making of soban, designs symbolizing the repulsion of evil spirits and the wish for good fortune were often engraved. Additionally, the character wang [王], meaning king, was sometimes engraved upside down on the back, using the power of a tiger to ward off evil spirits. The reason why soban with tiger-shaped legs are called hojokban is that the tiger, considered the king of the mountains, is believed to protect the food on the table. Moreover, this design symbolizes a wish for the soban to be as strong as a tiger’s foot.

The designs on furniture vary by the space they occupy. For instance, the closets and cabinets in the main room, intended for the hostess of the household, feature more elaborate decorations than those in the detached living room, which are meant for the host. Furthermore, furniture for ladies often showcases delicate and ornate designs of feldspars, including motifs like yin-yang, flowers, and butterflies. In contrast, furniture for men typically features simpler and more natural designs of feldspars, such as the Four Gracious Plants (plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo), characters like gilsang (吉相) meaning lucky omen, 卍, and 亞 meaning suppression, or poetry that reflects a scholar’s personality.

THE TORTOISE SHELL PATTERN.

LINKS:

– Korean symbols of wishes.