Meaning Behind The Korean Flag.
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The Korean flag, sometimes called the Tae Gueg; embodies the Orient philosophy of existence. Tae Gueg means, "The origin of all that is". It is symbolized by a circle which represents the universe. The circle is equally divided by an "S" shaped line into two inter flowing shapes, one red, and one blue. These shapes symbolize the Um, and the Yang, the dual forces which govern existence, positive, and negative, male, and female, lightness, and darkness. The four Gye patterns of bars in the corners of the flag represent the elements, and the four directions. The bars at the lower left (Ee Gye) represent fire, and East (the rising Sun). The opposite pattern in the right upper corner (Kam Gye) represents water, and West (twilight, the setting Sun). The pattern in the lower right corner (Koh Gye) stands for the earth, and North (total darkness). The pattern in the upper left corner (Kun Gye) represents air, heaven, and South (full light day).
The South Korean National flag expresses the mysteries of the Universe, of being, of all that was, is, and shall ever be in deceptively simple design in which each element has a deep meaning. Everything that is, is represented. It is a truly beautiful symbol.
The Korean Um, and Yang meaning:
The Korean symbol for Um, and Yang as in the Chinese Yin, and Yang have the same meaning behind the symbol which represents all the opposing forces which make up the Universe. The whole symbol is called Tai-Chi, or Korean Ki-Hak, the dark half; Blue represents Um, and the light half; Red represents Yang.
Um, and Yang are symbols of the eternal struggle for harmony, and balance. All aspects of life have been classified by Korean, and Chinese scholars as either Um, and or Yang. Some basic forces in conflict are night, and day, female, and male, cold, and hot, age, and youth, past, and future. These Um, and Yang forces are constantly in opposition, and also constantly in balance. Neither force is better than the other, each complements the other in maintaining the harmony of the whole unit. With any condition which exists will change as each force seems to gain on the opposing force. The condition may get better, and or worse, but never stays the same.
About 4,000 years ago, Chinese scholars discovered the theory of Yin, and Yang, and began to study change, so they tried to learn to predict the outcome of change in force, and foretell the future, which had a great influence on the Korean society as a whole with Um, and Yang. The concepts of Um, and Yang, and identifying eight basic elements of Nature which had a great influence in all the aspects of Hwa Rang Mul Sul, and training, and weapons. Change has been studied, and interpreted ever since by many renowned Masters of Hwa Rang Mul Sul.
The eight elements are: Earth, Sky, Mountain, Lake, Fire, Wind, Thunder, and Water. Each elements has many characteristics associated with them.
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