CHAPTER 4 ART
Symbolism in Korean Folk Art
Tiger and the Magpie For centuries Koreans have painted the Tiger and the Magpie to celebrate the New Year . The Koreans believed that the magpie , the national bird of Korea , symbolized good news and that the tiger symbolized good luck and would keep the evil forces away . The tiger is regarded as a guardian that drives away evil spirits and a sacred creature that brings good luck – the symbol of courage and absolute power . In this very famous painting the magpie is happily chirping a message of good news to the tiger . Introducing students to this painting during the Korean New celebration is an ideal way to introduce Korean culture to students .
The Lotus , Ducks , and Fish The lotus stands for the seventh month , summer , and creation , and is also symbolic of purity . In Buddhism the lotus is very important . It is symbolic of purification of the body , speech , and mind . In a painting a closed lotus blossom symbolizes the potential for enlightenment . An open lotus signifies enlightenment . The blue lotus also symbolizes intelligence and wisdom . The pair of ducks symbolizes fidelity and happiness between husband and wife . Ducks mate for life and do not seek another if their mate should die . When Koreans and Korean Americans marry , a traditional wedding gift is a pair of wooden wedding ducks . In the past the bill of the female duck is tied shut with string .
A pair of fish symbolizes marriage and love between the couple . It is also a Buddhist symbol of good fortune .
The Dragon The dragon is a representation of the king and the yang and yin . The dragon protects the people from evil forces and is a symbol of power and dignity . The dragon has also represented an agricultural society . This imaginary animal has been in the Korean people ’ s heart and soul throughout their history and appears in folk paintings as frequently as the tiger . “ If the tiger was the symbol of workshop of the ordinary public , the dragon was the subject of worship for the ruling class .” ( Handbook of Korean Art , p . 236 )
From : Handbook of Korea Art : Folk Painting , Yeolsu Yoon ( Yekyong Publishing , Seoul ) For more information on Korean folk art and images , Google : Korean Folk Art and Korean Folk Art Images .
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