9781422275535

The flag of South Korea is also known as  taegukki in                              Korean. It was officially adopted in 1950 when the                              country divided into North and South Korea. The                              symbolism was developed in the nineteenth century, using a red and blue yin-and-yang in the middle of the flag and trigrams in each of the four corners. The four trigrams are based on Chinese philosophy and represent water, earth, fire, and sky. The flag’s background is white, which represents hope, peace, and purity. Interestingly, the lack of a flag representing Korea wasn’t an issue until late into the Choson Dynasty. In 1876, it was determined that a flag would be needed because of the possible Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876. There were some flags created prior to this date, like the  taegukki of the Choson Dynasty. It is a contrast against today’s flag. It was red, black, orange, and white. From the start, the majority appeared to have a yin-yang-like symbol in the center, as well as symbolism for the elements.

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8 SOUTH KOREA