Want to learn more about Taegeukgi, the flag of South Korea?
Here’s a closer look at the symbols of the Korean flag!
Quick Summary
- Every element of the flag, from its colors to its geometric shapes, carries symbolic meaning.
- Taegeuk symbolizes the harmony of yin (blue) and yang (red).
- The four trigrams, Geon, Gon, Gam, and Ri, represent the balance of sky, earth, water, and fire.
- Taegeukgi was first designed by Lee Eung-jun (delegate), used by Park Yung-hyo (diplomat) in 1882, and officially designated by Gojong (last king of Joseon) in 1883.
1. The Taegeuk (The Circle in the Center)
The most prominent feature is the Taegeuk, a red and blue circle in the center.
The pattern symbolizes the harmony of yin (blue) and yang (red) where all things in the universe gain life and develop through yin-yang balance.
The symbol shows the dynamic equilibrium that South Korea strives for in its national identity.
An easy way to remember is to think of the sun above and the sea below. Or, the easiest way is to remember that the upper part is red like communism in North Korea, and the lower part is blue like capitalism in South Korea.
2. The Four Trigrams (The Black Squares at the Corners)
Each corner features the four trigrams, Geon, Gon, Gam, and Ri, which consist of three lines each.
These lines are broken (representing Yin) or unbroken (representing Yang).
Each trigram carries its own meaning:
- Geon (3) – Located at the top left corner, it’s composed of three unbroken lines symbolizing sky (or heaven).
- Ri (4) – Located at the bottom left corner, there are two unbroken lines and one broken line in the middle. It means fire.
- Gam (5) – Located at the top right corner, it’s made up of one unbroken line in the middle and two broken lines. It symbolizes water.
- Gon (6) – Located at the bottom right corner, there are three broken lines. It represents the earth.
Together, these four trigrams represent the balance of sky, earth, water, and fire.
3. The Colors
The white background represents the brightness, purity, and peace-loving identity of Koreans.
Blue and red symbolize yin-yang.
The four black trigrams represent the harmony of sky, earth, water, and fire, symbolizing nature and mountains in Korea.
With the yellow color on the flagpole, the Korean national flag has all five colors of obangsaek, the traditional Korean palette including white, black, red, blue, and yellow.
It also means five orientations (blue: east, red: south, yellow: center, white: west, black: north).
How and When Was the Taegeukgi Made?
Taegeukgi was first designed by Lee Eung-jun (delegate), used by Park Yung-hyo (diplomat), and approved by Gojong (last king of Joseon).
It was used as the official flag for the first time when Park Yeong-hyo went to Japan as an envoy in 1882.
In 1883, Gojong designated the Taegeukgi as the national flag.
Without a specific design determined, other designs were also used.
When the government of the Republic of Korea was established on August 15, 1948, people wanted to unify the Taegeukgi design.
So the Korean government finalized the national flag design in 1949 (Currently, under the Act on the Flag of the Republic of Korea).
