Origins of the Taeguk Symbol, the symbol on the Korean flag Options

[oblivion38]

I'm writing this post because many people seem to be misinformed about the Taeguk symbol on the Korean flag.

The origins of Taeguk symbol can go back to prehistoric times, when spiral symbols resembling that of a storm were engraved on Korean goindols(dolmens). This spiral design may have evolved to what we now call "Sam-Taeguk(삼태극)". These Sam-Taeguks were used since the three kingdoms era, as evidenced by its depiction in Koguryo murals, Silla temples, and Baekche roof tiles. It was also used traditionally in Korean shaman charms.

The Sam-Taeguk was used extensively throughout Korean history as a national symbol. The Korean diplomatic banners(flags of the ancient days) bore these symbols, and they were also painted on the Korean navy ships. These are but a few examples. It was probably influenced by the Chinese taiji symbol in the 14th century during the Chosun Dynasty, which was a neo-Confucian state, and evolved into the red and blue Taeguk symbol as it is depicted on the Korean flag. Nevertheless, the Sam-Taeguk is still in extensive use today. For example the symbol of the 1988 Seoul Olympics was based on Sam-Taeguk. If you're in Korea, it wouldn't be very hard to come across one of these Sam-Taeguk symbols.

It is theorized that the Sam-Taeguk represents the heaven, the earth, and the human being, but no one knows for sure because there were no written works of philosophy explaining this symbol.

This is a Sam-Taeguk:

(IMG:http://www.kidohae.or.kr/img/company/mark2.gif)

A more spiral design:

(IMG:http://cbingoimage.naver.com/data2/bingo_17/imgbingo_27/daejin5/20740/daejin5_57.jpg)

This post has been edited by oblivion38: May 30 2005, 02:01 PM

[PinkFloyd]

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/toothlog/200515120900_3.jpg)


the original yin-yang bagua or taiji symbol

the korean flag is a modified version of this one........

[康师傅]

Korean flag and Bhutan flag..they are the only two flags that was influenced by chinese culture
(IMG:http://homepage.mac.com/gratitude/PeacePath__Flags_Data/BhutanF.gif)

This post has been edited by 康师傅: May 30 2005, 05:23 PM

[sirgika]

Jizzah: ^^OMFG CHINAZI SCUMBAG (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2 (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2

[kpjoon]

Jizzah: ^^OMFG CHINAZI SCUMBAG  (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2  (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2

It's obvious what your intention is, Milhouse (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/sure.gif)

[sirgika]

Jizzah: ^^OMFG CHINAZI SCUMBAG  (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2  (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2

It's obvious what your intention is, Milhouse (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/sure.gif)

Um, no $hit, stupid? (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_rolleyes.gif)

[Jizzah]

^ More juvenile posts by Milhouse. Shocking.

[sirgika]

^ More juvenile posts by Milhouse. Shocking.

You still haven't responded to what I asked you in the Chinese Section. Please do so before you comment me.

[kpjoon]

^You still haven't responded to my post back at the Chinese section as well, Milhouse.

You accuse Riverplate of hating on the Chinese but you're no different from him.

I'm assuming all this.

[Jizzah]

^ More juvenile posts by Milhouse. Shocking.

You still haven't responded to what I asked you in the Chinese Section. Please do so before you comment me.

Your question is stupid though. One doesn't need to set up threads- not that they don't exist- in order to be an anti-Korean, insecure Chinese troll.

[Jizzah]

^ More juvenile posts by Milhouse. Shocking.

You still haven't responded to what I asked you in the Chinese Section. Please do so before you comment me.

Your question is stupid though. One doesn't need to set up threads- not that they don't exist- in order to be an anti-Korean, insecure Chinese troll.

[oblivion38]

the korean flag is a modified version of this one........

The Korean flag is influenced by Chinese philosophy, but the Taeguk symbol is something that has been held traditionally for centuries, even before the first Chinese taiji was drawn. You could say that the Korean flag is a modified Taeguk with some Chinese influence.

This post has been edited by oblivion38: Jun 1 2005, 09:15 PM

[Bird Man]

the korean flag is a modified version of this one........

The Korean flag is influenced by Chinese philosophy, but the Taeguk symbol is something that has been held traditionally for centuries, even before the first Chinese taiji was drawn. You could say that the Korean flag is a modified Taeguk with some Chinese influence.

do you know why they used only 4 of the baguas on the flag??

they are 8 of them in the original one thats why its called bagua............