Colors play an important role in Korean culture and can signify different meanings. Certain colors are considered lucky or auspicious for various occasions, while some colors have negative connotations. Understanding the symbolism of colors in Korean culture provides an interesting glimpse into Korean traditions and beliefs.
Significance of White
White is a very significant color in Korean culture. It symbolizes purity, innocence, peace, and simplicity. White is worn frequently by brides on their wedding day and is used often in Korean weddings. White flowers, especially white chrysanthemums, are commonly used as wedding decorations. White is also considered the color of mourning and is worn during funerals and ancestral rites.
In ancient Korea, commoners were required to wear white clothes. Only the royal family could wear colorful garments. Today, white still indicates humility and is worn on many formal occasions when people want to show respect.
Meaning of Black
Black is the color of formality, authority, dignity, and sophistication in Korean culture. Government officials and judges often wear black robes. Formal Korean hanbok attire is also frequently black with colorful embroidery. Black is also associated with the night sky and the direction north.
However, black can also symbolize misfortune and bad luck. People generally avoid wearing all black for special celebrations. Black is worn at funerals, so it represents grief and loss. Black ink was used to write names of enemies or evil spirits so they could be cursed or punished.
Significance of Red
Red is an auspicious color for Koreans representing life, passion, luck, and prosperity. Brides traditionally wear a red hanbok and cap for their wedding day. Red also wards off evil spirits. People wear red during birthday celebrations and when moving into a new home for protection and good fortune.
In Korea, New Year’s Day celebrations feature red decorations. Children and unmarried adults wear red for their holiday outfits. Red packets with money are given as gifts to family and friends. The color signifies a bright and vibrant future filled with happiness and success.
Meaning of Blue
Blue is associated with spring, growth, and new life in Korean culture. Along with white, it represents the colors of the Korean flag and instills feelings of patriotism. Blue skies and oceans are connected to Korean identity and pride.
Blue also represents trust, security, wisdom, loyalty, and confidence. However, darker shades of blue have negative meanings associated with depression, sadness, and mourning. Blue clothing is rarely worn to funerals or memorial services.
Significance of Yellow
Yellow is considered the most imperial and prestigious color in Korean culture. For centuries, the royal class wore yellow as a symbol of their power, nobility, and virtue. Only members of elite society were permitted to wear yellow clothing under the strict dress code rules.
Today, yellow still represents wealth, glory, and high status in Korea. It is connected to royalty, success, and honor. Yellow also signifies sunshine and hope. However, yellow can indicate cowardice, jealousy, and betrayal in some contexts.
Meaning of Green
Green is connected to nature and the ideas of growth, youth, vitality, and renewal in Korea. It also represents fertility and prosperity. Branches from evergreen trees are used to decorate homes during Korean New Year celebrations for good health and rejuvenation in the year ahead.
However, because green is the color of organic growth and moisture, it also symbolizes the wood element in traditional Korean beliefs. This element governs the liver and eyes. Sometimes wearing too much green is thought to damage your liver and negatively impact your vision.
Significance of Purple
Purple is associated with charm, creativity, wealth, and sophistication in Korean culture. It is a color that commands respect and admiration. Purple also represents the season of autumn, fruition, and maturity.
In ancient Korea, purple was only permitted to be worn by the royal family and nobility. Today, it is a popular color for fashion and cosmetics and signifies luxury, individuality, fantasy, and magic.
Meaning of Pink
Pink symbolizes femininity, tenderness, romance, and youth in Korean culture. It is frequently used in women’s fashion and for baby girls. Pink flowers, like lotus blossoms, represent purity and grace.
However, pink is also associated with weakness and fragility. Korean men rarely wear pink because it is considered strictly a feminine color. Bright pink is seen as energetic, while light pink conveys innocence. Darker shades of pink indicate sensuality.
Significance of Orange
Orange represents fall harvest and warmth in Korean culture. Buddhist monks wear orange robes, making the color a symbol of religious piety and sincerity. Orange and red tigers and phoenixes are placed around homes at Korean New Year for protection.
However, orange is also connected to deceit, distrust, and skepticism. The color stimulates appetite, which can be seen as gluttony. Criminals were forced to wear orange clothing as punishment during ancient times in Korea.
Meaning of Gold
Gold symbolizes wealth, prosperity, success, luxury, and high social status in Korea. It represents the most valuable and prestigious metal. Only royalty and the elite were permitted to wear gold clothing historically. Goldembossed lacquerware was popular among the aristocracy.
Today, gold is connected to extravagance and opulence. High-quality gold cosmetics and accessories display affluence. Gold decorations are prominent at weddings and other celebrations. However, too much gold is sometimes seen as gaudy or arrogant.
Significance of Silver
Silver represents refinement, value, high-quality, and modernity in Korean culture. It is connected to jewelry, tableware, artifacts, and religious items. Silver is seen as calmer and more subtle than flashy gold.
The color also symbolizes the moon as opposed to the sun. Silver-grey hair represents wisdom that comes with age. However, tarnished silver indicates decay and damaged purity. Dull silver lacks the vibrancy of gold.
Conclusion
In summary, colors play a meaningful role in Korean culture and can signify different ideas depending on context. White represents purity, while black indicates formality and grief. Red and yellow are auspicious colors connected to good fortune. Blue symbolizes wisdom but can also convey sadness.
Purple was historically reserved for royalty, and pink represents femininity. Orange has contradictory meanings of religious devotion and deception. Gold displays wealth and prestige, while silver signifies refined quality and wisdom. Understanding Korean color symbolism provides insight into traditions and beliefs.
| Color | Positive Meanings | Negative Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| White | Purity, innocence, peace, simplicity | Grief, mourning |
| Black | Formality, authority, dignity | Misfortune, bad luck, loss |
| Red | Passion, luck, prosperity | N/A |
| Blue | Trust, wisdom, loyalty | Depression, sadness, mourning |
| Yellow | Wealth, glory, high status | Cowardice, betrayal |
| Green | Vitality, renewal, prosperity | Damage to liver and eyes |
| Purple | Creativity, sophistication | N/A |
| Pink | Femininity, purity, grace | Weakness, fragility |
| Orange | Religious piety, warmth | Distrust, gluttony |
| Gold | Wealth, success, luxury | Gaudiness, arrogance |
| Silver | Refinement, wisdom | Decay, dullness |
