THE KOREAN NATIONAL FLAG

1. The Korean National Flag, the symbol of the Republic of Korea, is named “Taegukki.” The name was derived from the taeguk circle in the center.

2. 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 achieve perfect harmony and balance.

3. The taeguk circle stands for the eternal principle that everything in the universe is created and develops through the interaction between yin and yang; thus it symbolizes creation and development.

4. The four tri-grams surrounding the circle denote the process of yin and yang going through a spiral of change and growth. That means heaven(ko’n) at the upper left, earth(kon) at the lower right, moon(kam) at the upper right, and sun(i) at the lower left. The white background of the flag symbolizes the purity of the Korean people and their peace-loving spirit. The flag as a whole is symbolic of the ideal of the Korean people to develop forever together with the universe.

THE KOREAN NATIONAL FLOWER The Rose Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus L.) has been generally accepted as the national flower of Korea due to its popularity among the Korean People. The rose Sharon called Mugunghwa, or the “flower of eternity,” as it embodies their aspiration for eternal prosperity.

The Rose Sharon