KOREAN DREAMER: National Symbols

Hi everyone, how have you been? Good? Are you ready for your first history lesson? Come on don’t give me that look. I promise you, it will not be boring. So please stay around for a while. But before I begin, I am going to ask you 3 very basic questions about South Korea. Can you tell me the name of the national flag, the national anthem and the national flower? If your answers are Taegeukgi, Aegukga and Mugunghwa then you are correct. But do you know the history behind them? So, today I’m going to tell you something about them.
The Taegeukgi became the official flag of the Republic of Korea in 1948. The name was derived from the taeguk circle in the center. The flag has a white background in the center of which is the taegeuk, or yin-yang symbol, around which are arranged four trigrams. The circle is divided equally and in perfect balance. The red upper section represents the yang and the blue lower section stands for the yin. According to traditional Oriental Philosophy, the two symbolize the great cosmic forces, which oppose each other but yet achieve perfect harmony and balance.
The white background of the flag symbolizes the purity of the Korean people and their peace-loving spirit. White also reflects the Koreans' traditional affinity for this color. The flag as a whole is symbolic of the ideal of the Korean people to develop forever together with the universe.
The four trigrams that surround the taegeuk circle in the four corners denote the process of yin and yang going through a spiral of change and growth. The three unbroken bars in the upper left-hand corner denote geon(heaven - justice), the three broken bars in the lower right-hand corner denote gon(earth - fertility), the two broken bars with one unbroken bar in the middle in the upper right-hand corner denote gam( water - life), and the two unbroken bars with a broken bar in the middle in the lower left-hand corner denote ri(fire - wisdom). Collectively the Taegeukgi represents universal harmony and unity.
And to show their patriotism to their country the Koreans will recite a pledge which goes like this, “Before this proud Taegeukgi, I firmly pledge my loyalty and will devote my body and soul to the eternal glory of my country and people."
Now that you know the meaning of the flag, do you know how and when it should be flown?
When and How to Fly the Flag
Days on which the Flag is flown

January 1 - New Year's Day
March 1 - Independence Movement Day (Anniversary of the IMD in 1919)
July 17 - Constitution Day
August 15 - Liberation Day
October 1 - Armed Forces Day
October 3 - National Foundation Day
October 9 - Hangeul Day
(The anniversary of the promulgation of the Korean alphabet in 1446)

Other days the government designates as national holidays

The flag may be flown on days local autonomous governments or provincial or city councils designate as local holidays.
The flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on Memorial Day (June 6), during periods of national mourning, and for state or public funerals.

Places Where the Flag is Flown All Year Round

It is obligatory to fly the flag every day at national and local government offices, public organizations, schools, and military installations.
It is recommended that the flag be flown at places where international events are held such as hotels, large buildings, and parks where large crowds assemble, along walls of government buildings and anywhere flag polls are installed.
Private homes and other places may display the national flag all year round if the residents so wish.

Raising and Lowering the Flag

The flag may be flown 24 hours a day, but if flown at night, it must be illuminated.
Schools and military units are required to fly the flag only during daylight hours.
The flag should not be flown if there is any possibility that it might be torn or damaged by wind or rain.

How to Fly the Flag

On national holidays and ordinary days, it should be flown at full-mast.

On days of mourning, it should be flown at half-mast.

When the flag is flown in a line with other flags in threes or
in other odd numbers, it is placed in the center.

When the number of flags is even, the flag is flown on the left end as viewed from the front.

* When the flag is flown in Korea together with the U.N. flag and flags of other countries, they should be flown in the following order: the U.N. flag, the Korean flag and flags of other countries in alphabet order.
Order of Raising or Lowering the Flag

When the flag is flown along with other flags, it should either be raised first or simultaneously with the others.
When the flag is lowered with other flags, it should either be lowered last or simultaneously with the others.

Safekeeping and Care of the National Flag

The flag must be folded with great care and stored in a flag box or other container for safekeeping. Additionally, the box or container must be stored in plain sight and be easily accessible.
If the flag is dirtied or wrinkled, it may be washed and ironed but care should be taken to ensure its original form is not distorted.
If the flag is damaged or worn out, it should not be discarded casually or used for other purposes; it should be burned in a discreet place.

And now we shall go our next topic, the National Anthem of South Korea. Korea's national anthem is called the "Aegukga," which means “The Song of Love for the Country” or "The Patriotic Song." The original words of Aegukga appeared in written form around 1907 to inculcate allegiance to the nation and foster the spirit of independence as the country faced threats of foreign annexation. Over the years, the lyrics went through several changes until they were adopted as the national anthem in the present form in 1948.
Before the birth of the Republic in 1948, the words were often sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song, Auld Lang Syne. Maestro Ahn Eak-tay (1905-1965), then living in Spain, felt that it was inappropriate to sing this patriotic song to the tune of another country's folk song. So, he composed new music to go with the lyrics in 1935, and the Korean Provisional Government in exile adopted it as the national anthem. While Koreans outside the country sang the anthem to the new tune, those at home continued to use Auld Lang Syne until Korea was liberated in 1945.
At a ceremony celebrating the founding of South Korea on 15 August 1948, the Scottish tune was finally replaced by the Finale of Korea Fantasia that Ahn Eak-tae had composed. The new "Aegukga" was later adopted by the Presidential Decree of 1948 by the then President Syngman Rhee (or Lee Seungman).

And finally the national flower of South Korea. According to records, the Koreans have treasured the rose of Sharon as a heavenly flower since ancient times. In fact, the Silla Kingdom called itself Mugunghwa Country. Even the ancient Chinese referred to Korea as "The land of gentlemen where Mugunghwa blooms." Love for the flower was further heightened when Mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeo gangsan" ("Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of beautiful mountain and river land!") was written into the national anthem in the late 19th century. As the rose of Sharon has been an important part of the Korean culture for centuries, it was only natural that the government adopted it as the national flower of Korea. There are about 200 cultivars, of which 100 are indigenous to Korea. Of these, the government designated the Dansim, single types of flowers, as the national flower in 1990.

The flower's name in Korean is Mugunghwa meaning 'immortal flower', Koreans call the Rose of Sharon (Botanical name Hibiscus Syriacus L.) the Mugunghwa, as it flowers endlessly. Every year from July to October, a profusion of mugunghwa blossoms graces the entire country. Unlike most flowers, the Mugunghwa is remarkably tenacious and able to withstand both blight and insects. The flower’s symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, meaning immortality. This word accurately reflects the enduring nature of Korean culture, and the determination and perseverance of the Korean people.

Ever heard of the legend of the Mugunghwa? No? Do you want to hear about it? I’m sorry it will have to wait till next time as there's not enough space here. Bye for now.