Flag of South Korea

flag

The flag of the South Korea, also known as the Taegukgi[1] (also spelled as Taegeukgi, literally "supreme ultimate flag"), has three parts: a white rectangular background, a red and blue Taeguk, symbolizing balance, in its center, and four black trigrams selected from the original eight, one toward each corner.[2] The flag ratio is 2:3.[1]

Flag of South Korea
NamesTaegukgi / Taeheukgi, (korean:태극기)Hanja: 太極旗
Proportion2:3
Designwhite rectangular background, a red and blue Taeguk and four black trigrams

Symbolism

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The white background stands for purity, peace and justice. The red and blue Taeguk symbolizes absoluteness, the universe, space and its parts. The red part of Taeguk yang (which signifies bright, hot, light and positive) and blue yin (which signifies dark, cold and negative).[3] These represent the eternal philosophical categories, goodness and evilness, sun and moon, light and darkness, day and night, masculine and feminine element, move and immobility, activity and passivity, life and death.[1]

History

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South Korean flag during 1882 to 1910
 
NameTaegukgi

In 1882 the flag of Korea was adopted by Korean empire with non specified trigrams.[4] In 1882 the original design of Korean flag was designed by "Bak Yeong hyo"[5]

1910 to 1945

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South Korean flag during 1910 to 1945
 
The Korean flag under Japan's control

During this period Korea was annexed by Japan. Which made for Japan to take over their culture and also flag during this period, and after the world 2 Korea took control of their flag again which meant on 1945 or world war 2 they have won the battle after 1945.[6]

Trigrams meaning

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Trigam Meaning[7]
  Heaven, east, spring, air, justice
  Moon, north, winter, water, life
  Sun, west, autumn, fire, wisdom
  Earth, south, summer, soil, fertility

With 4 Trigrams together it represent principle of movement and harmony.[8]

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  • Aegukga, the National anthem of South Korea

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wrona, Jerzy (2020). Flagi i herby opowiadają (in Polish). Rzeszów: Fosze. p. 112. ISBN 978-83-7586-158-7.
  2. Fresson, Robert G. (2020). Flaga na maszt! Przewodnik po flagach z całego świata (in Polish). Warsaw: Dwie Siostry. p. 95. ISBN 978-83-8150-097-5.
  3. "The Hidden Meaning Behind Yin and Yang". Culture Trip. 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  4. Part of the “History of National Flags” Series from Flagmakers. flagmakers.co.uk/media/ontcfk5n/flag-of-south-korea-a-brief-history-download.pdf#:~:text=The%20flag%20of%20the%20Korean. Accessed 25 Aug. 2023. ‌
  5. "The History of the Korean Flag". KORELIMITED. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  6. Part of the “History of National Flags” Series from Flagmakers. flagmakers.co.uk/media/ontcfk5n/flag-of-south-korea-a-brief-history-download.pdf#:~:text=The%20flag%20of%20the%20Korean.‌
  7. Mr, Paul, et al. The South Korean Flag Symbolism of the Flag. www.white-tiger-tkd.com/Symbolism%20of%20the%20flag%20white%20tiger%20%28secure%29.pdf. Accessed 22 Aug. 2023. ‌
  8. Lavrov, Ilya (2021-07-27). "The South Korean Flag's Meaning | Turbologo". Design, branding and business – The Official Turbologo blog. Retrieved 2023-08-22.