The Korean Flag
The Korean flag is called “Taeguk-ki” and consists of three parts: a white background, a red and blue circle in the center of the flag, and four black trigrams surrounding the circle in each of the four corners of the flag. The meaning of the Korean National Flag is very philosophical. The central theme of the flag is that although there is constant movement within the sphere of infinity, there is also balance and harmony. For the Korean people, their flag, TaeGuk-Ki, is a source of pride and inspiration. The Korean flag has been a symbol of the country’s struggle for independence and freedom.
The circle in the center is called “Taeguk” and means the origin of all things in the universe. The red and blue sections within the circle represent perfect harmony and balance (heaven and earth, fire and water, good and evil, etc.). The blue section of the circle is called “Eum” and represents the negative aspects; the red section of the circle is called “yang” and represents the positive aspects. “Eum-yang” is the Korean equivalent of the Chinese ”yin-yang”. The white background of the flag symbolizes peace and the purity of the Korean people. The flag as a whole is symbolic of the ideal of the Korean people to develop forever together with the universe.
The four black trigram symbols in the four corners, called Kwe, represent the principle of movement and harmony. The Kwe also carry the idea of opposites and of balance. Each consists of three parallel lines, some of which are broken (split), and some of which are unbroken (solid). Each Kwe has a specific name and represents a particular concepts. In the upper lefthand corner is “Kum” which consists of all solid lines and represents heaven. In the lower righthand corner is “Kon” which consists of all broken lines and represents earth. In the upper righthand corner is “Kam” which consists of one solid line surrounded by two broken lines and represents water. In the lower lefthand corner is “Yi” which consists of one broken line surrounded by two solid lines and represents fire.
