Korean art is distinguishable for its use of vibrant colors. It has traditionally accentuated bright, bold colors to manifest the Koreans’ jubilant and optimistic nature. In contrast, Korean artists used muted and subdued colors to imply dark and dismal themes. As such, one may gain a deeper understanding of Korean art and culture by examining the colors applied.
White, in Korea, symbolizes purity and innocence. The color has tremendous symbolic meaning, connecting to the harvest ceremony and the sun. The use of white and other natural colors that are not bleached or dyed is one of the defining characteristics of Korean culture, alongside “obangsaek” – the five cardinal colors. Koreans have always shown a propensity for the color white in their clothing, to the point that it gave them the moniker “white-clad Koreans.” White was also often used to depict the Buddhist faith that had considerably influenced Korean art.
Red symbolizes everything from good fortune, happiness, and vitality, to authoritarianism, exorcism, and solidarity. The bright and vibrant color was traditionally used in weddings and had been used to make the taegeuk symbol of the Korean flag. The taegeuk juxtaposed red with blue to denote the harmonic balance between the negative (blue) and positive (red) cosmic forces. In addition, Koreans have long consumed red bean soup to protect against bad luck and evil spirits.
Yellow symbolizes wealth, fertility, authority, and holiness. It derives its meaning from the colors of the Five Elements of the Universe (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). It was also regarded as a noble and sacred color and thus worn by the nobility. In art, yellow was the color of the land, soil, and leaves during autumn.
Blue and green are used collectively to portray nature. Korean artists used these colors interchangeably to illustrate the skies, oceans, mountains, and forests. Blue and green were also identified as spring colors and viewed as symbols of hope and utopia. At times, however, the two colors had disparate meanings, with blue associated with wisdom and intellect and green with growth and harmony.
Seohyun Park Staff Reporter
1. What does the color white symbolize? How has this color been used throughout Korean history?
2. What does the color red symbolize? How has this color been used throughout Korean history?
3. What does the color yellow symbolize? How has this color been used throughout Korean history?
4. What do the colors blue and green symbolize? How has this color been used in Korean art?
1. What comes to mind when you think of the color white? Why is this so?
2. What comes to mind when you think of the color red? Why is this so?
3. What comes to mind when you think of the color yellow? Why is this so?
4. What comes to mind when you think of the colors blue and green? Why is this so?
Korean art is distinguishable for its use of vibrant colors. It has traditionally accentuated bright, bold colors to manifest the Koreans’ jubilant and optimistic nature. In contrast, Korean artists used muted and subdued colors to imply dark and dismal themes. As such, one may gain a deeper understanding of Korean art and culture by examining the colors applied.
