The Korean Flag

I have a Korean flag displayed in my son’s room and I proudly wear a little pin with the Korean flag and the U.S. flag crossed together. However, it occurred to me that, throughout my education,I had learned in detail what the stars and stripes mean and I had never taken the time to learn about the Korean flag.

So, I dug in and this is what I learned. I learned that the Korean flag is called “Tae Kuk” and that it represents more than just the country. It also gives a lesson in philosophy.

* The circle in the middle is the Yin/Yang symbol. The Yin and the Yang represent unity and duality (the positive and the negative – opposites that are necessary to create balance).

* In the upper left is a symbol for Heaven.

* Opposite the symbol for Heaven, in the lower right corner, is the symbol for Earth.

* In the upper right corner is a symbol for Water.

* Opposite the symbol for Water, in the lower left corner, is the symbol for Fire.

While the flag is full of mystic philosophies based on the natural balances in the world, it also has secular meanings.

* The white background represents land.

* The circle represents the people.

* The four symbols represent the government.

There is a lot of story in the Korean flag. Instead of just a symbol of the country my son and I were born in, it also has a powerful message.

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