Taeguk
Encyclopedia
Taegeuk refers to the ultimate reality from which all things and values originate according to oriental philosophy. It is also the symbol that makes up the center of the Korean Flag.
symbol of Tai-Chi
, the Korean style taegeuk design dates back to the 7th century in Korea
but recent excavations go back even further. There is a stone carved with the taegeuk design in the compound of Gameunsa Temple, built in 628 during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla
. Traces of taegeuk design have been found in the remains of the ancient cultures in Korea: in Goguryeo tomb and in Silla remains. Recently however, a 1,400-year-old artifact with the taegeuk pattern has been found in Bogam-ri Baekje
tombs at Naju
, South Jeolla Province, making it the oldest taegeuk symbol found in Korea which predates by 682 years what had been the oldest artifact that held the taegeuk pattern found at the Gameunsa Temple.
The taegeuk design was also used to drive off evil spirits
. In the Goryeo
and Joseon
dynasties, the design was later used to represent Korean taoism and to express the hope for harmony of eun and yang to enable the people to live happy lives with good government. The blue and red swirling semicircles of the Taegeuk pattern have existed since ancient times.
national flag
, called the Taegeukgi (along with four of the eight trigram diagrams). Because of the Taegeuks association with the national flag, it is often used as a patriotic symbol, as are the colors red and blue. The “geon” trigram represents the heaven, spring, east, and benevolence. The “gon” trigram symbolizes the earth, summer, west, and justice, the “gam” trigram the moon, winter, north, and wisdom, and the “ri” trigram the sun, autumn, south, and courtesy. The four trigrams supposedly move in an endless cycle from “geon” to “ri” to “gon” to “gam” and back to “geon” in their pursuit of perfection. The white background symbolizes the homogeneity, integrity and peace-loving nature of the Korean people. The Korean people have traditionally worn white clothes, earning the nickname “white-clothed people.” The color white symbolizes the Korean people.
used by the International Paralympic Committee
had three Tae-Geuks in its logo prior to the end of the 2004 Summer Paralympics
, when it was replaced with three Agitos. The usage of tae-geuks started at the 1988 Summer Paralympics
in Seoul
, using five Tae-Geuk designs arranged similarly to the Olympic Rings, with a similar five color set.
s. The Sam-Taegeuk also appears in the official logo of the 1988 Summer Olympics
, accompanied by the five Olympic rings.
History
Originally adopted from the ancient ChineseChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
symbol of Tai-Chi
Taiji
Taiji 太極 is a Chinese cosmological term for the "Supreme Ultimate" state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potentiality, contrasted with the Wuji 無極 "Without Ultimate"...
, the Korean style taegeuk design dates back to the 7th century in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
but recent excavations go back even further. There is a stone carved with the taegeuk design in the compound of Gameunsa Temple, built in 628 during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla
Jinpyeong of Silla
Jinpyeong of Silla is the 26th king of the Silla Dynasty, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. King Jinpyeong followed in the footsteps of King Jinheung by reorganizing the central ruling system, and as many conflicts with Baekje and Goguryeo arose, sent emissaries to improve relations and...
. Traces of taegeuk design have been found in the remains of the ancient cultures in Korea: in Goguryeo tomb and in Silla remains. Recently however, a 1,400-year-old artifact with the taegeuk pattern has been found in Bogam-ri Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
tombs at Naju
Naju
Naju is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.The capital of South Jeolla was located at Naju until it was moved to Gwangju in 1895. The name Jeolla actually originates from the first character of Jeonju and the first character of Naju . Dongshin University is situated in Naju...
, South Jeolla Province, making it the oldest taegeuk symbol found in Korea which predates by 682 years what had been the oldest artifact that held the taegeuk pattern found at the Gameunsa Temple.
The taegeuk design was also used to drive off evil spirits
Apotropaic magic
Apotropaic magic is a type of magic intended to "turn away" harm or evil influences."Apotropaic" observances may also be practiced out of vague superstition or out of tradition, as in good luck charm , or gestures like fingers crossed or knocking on wood.Apotropaic is an adjective that means...
. In the Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
and Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
dynasties, the design was later used to represent Korean taoism and to express the hope for harmony of eun and yang to enable the people to live happy lives with good government. The blue and red swirling semicircles of the Taegeuk pattern have existed since ancient times.
Modern usage
The Taegeuk symbol is most prominently displayed on South Korea'sFlag of South Korea
The flag of South Korea, or Taegeukgi has three parts: a white background; a red and blue taegeuk in the centre; and four black trigrams, one in each corner of the flag...
national flag
National flag
A national flag is a flag that symbolizes a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can also be flown by citizens of the country.Both public and private buildings such as schools and courthouses may fly the national flag...
, called the Taegeukgi (along with four of the eight trigram diagrams). Because of the Taegeuks association with the national flag, it is often used as a patriotic symbol, as are the colors red and blue. The “geon” trigram represents the heaven, spring, east, and benevolence. The “gon” trigram symbolizes the earth, summer, west, and justice, the “gam” trigram the moon, winter, north, and wisdom, and the “ri” trigram the sun, autumn, south, and courtesy. The four trigrams supposedly move in an endless cycle from “geon” to “ri” to “gon” to “gam” and back to “geon” in their pursuit of perfection. The white background symbolizes the homogeneity, integrity and peace-loving nature of the Korean people. The Korean people have traditionally worn white clothes, earning the nickname “white-clothed people.” The color white symbolizes the Korean people.
Paralympic usage
The official paralympic symbol for the Paralympic GamesParalympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
used by the International Paralympic Committee
International Paralympic Committee
The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports...
had three Tae-Geuks in its logo prior to the end of the 2004 Summer Paralympics
2004 Summer Paralympics
The 2004 Summer Paralympics were held in Athens, Greece, from September 17 to September 28. The twelfth Paralympic Games, an estimated 4,000 athletes took part in the Athens programme, with ages ranging from 11 to 66. Paralympic events had already taken place during the 2004 Summer Olympics as...
, when it was replaced with three Agitos. The usage of tae-geuks started at the 1988 Summer Paralympics
1988 Summer Paralympics
The 1988 Summer Paralympics were the first Paralympics in 24 years that take place in the same city as the Olympic Games. They took place in Seoul, South Korea. This was the first time the term "Paralympic" came into official use.- Sports :...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, using five Tae-Geuk designs arranged similarly to the Olympic Rings, with a similar five color set.
Three-taegeuk
A popular variant in Korea is the Three-taegeuk (三太極, Sam-taegeuk), which adds a yellow lobe, representing humanity, to the red and blue. The Sam-Taegeuk is frequently seen as a design on the face of fanFan (implement)
A hand-held fan is an implement used to induce an airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself. Any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth will create a small airflow and therefore can be considered a rudimentary fan...
s. The Sam-Taegeuk also appears in the official logo of the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, accompanied by the five Olympic rings.
See also
- Korean culture
- Taeguk (Taekwondo)Taeguk (Taekwondo)Taegeuk refers to a set of poomsae used to create a foundation for the teaching of Taekwondo. A pumsae, or form, is represented by 形 or 型 and is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack motions and techniques used in traditional martial arts...
- GankyilGankyilThe Gankyil[Tibetan:དགའ་འཁྱིལ་] is a symbol and ritual tool in Tibetan Buddhism, Bön, Himalayan Shamanism and Korean Buddhism. In Bön and Nyingma Dzogchen lineages, the Gankyil is the principal symbol and teaching tool: it is symbolic of primordial energy and represents the central unity and...
- TaijituTaijituTaijitu is a term which refers to a Chinese symbol for the concept of yin and yang...
- TomoeTomoeA tomoe or tomoye is a Japanese abstract shape that resembles a comma or the usual form of magatama. It is a common design element in and corporate logos, particularly in triplicate whorls known as . Some view the mitsudomoe as representative of the threefold division at the heart of the...
- Traditional Korean thoughtTraditional Korean thoughtTraditional Korean thought has been influenced by a number of religious and philosophical thought-systems over the years. As the main influences on life in Korea, often Korean Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. These movements have shaped Korean life and thought...
- triskelionTriskelionA triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. Both words are from Greek or , "three-legged", from prefix "τρι-" , "three times" + "σκέλος" , "leg"...