Dancheong: The meaning behind South Korea's beautifully painted temples
Ever wonder why South Korea's temples are all the same colors, regardless of design and location? The answer lies within a single word: Dancheong. Here's the story of what it all means.
Ah, South Korea.
A land that seeks to balance urbanization with rich cultural traditions. A place where one can simultaneously feel overstimulated and completely at peace.
At times it felt as though I was embedded into one giant oxymoron, or maybe it’s just the one place in the world that had it “all figured out.”
Both are extreme exaggerations, but the country completely captivated me during my time there (the seemingly endless supply of dumplings and kimchee sure didn’t hurt, either).
In general, I tend to notice the subtle things when I’m in a new place and South Korea was no different. It’s these microscopic findings that keep me up at night, trying to critically think my way toward a novice interpretation of my surroundings.
As I wandered around the palaces of Seoul, I couldn’t quite pinpoint why all of the buildings were decorated with the same vibrant hues of red, blue, and green, but it gnawed away at my mind to the point of feeling compelled to write this post and share it all with you.
Yes, ok, it’s only natural to assume that there is some religious meaning tied to Buddhism, and, generically, that’s not wrong, but I’m talking more specifics.
Why are the brush strokes the way they are? Why are the colors so limited? Why so bright?
The answer lies in one word: Dancheong
THE HISTORY
Dancheong is the symbolism behind all of South Korea’s beautifully painted temples, referring to the uniform five-colored designs. The word can be translated directly as “red and green” and dates back to prehistoric times when the concept was found to be adorning the walls of tombs from the Three Kingdoms of Korea era (57 BC - 668 AD).
As time went on, dancheong spread from places of eternal rest to buildings of prominence. Not only did the vibrant design convey the importance and status of the residents, but it also served as a meaningful way to preserve and protect the wooden structure from the weather.
To this day, dancheong is limited to temples and palaces and in some cases, musical instruments.
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THE COLORS AND SYMBOLS
All dancheong designs use the same five colors, each relating to the 5 elements theory in their own way:
blue: east, dragon, spring, and wood
red: south, birds, summer, and fire
white: west, tiger, fall, gold
black: north, hyeonmu (an imaginary animal that is part turtle and part snake), winter, and water
yellow: center, periods of time between seasons, and Earth
Together, it is believed that these colors epitomize the Korean desire for stability and peace in the present life, while working towards a rewarding afterlife.
Creating the masterpiece is just as much a work of art as the finished product itself.
Artisans must operate in unison to devise these complex and intricate designs, all while utilizing various symbols and patterns.
As one might imagine, highly specialized painters are required and each artist working on the project is responsible for one single color throughout the entire process.
Common symbols found throughout a dancheong design include:
3 circles: typically outside of large buildings and located up towards the roof, these represent heaven, earth, and the moon
Fish symbol: when located on the main Buddha table, this represents the effort and determination necessary for attaining eternal enlightenment
Swastika: Ancient buddhist symbol of peace, harmony, and good luck
Lotuses: Represents ignorance when rising from mud and enlightenment when ascending towards a clear sky
Location can also determine the color used. For example, exterior walls and pillars of buildings that receive sunlight are traditionally painted red
THE TYPES
The art of dancheong can be dissected into four main types, often identified based on location or patterns used.
Morucho: This is a pattern used on both ends of supporting beams, incorporating simple symbols such as a water lily, pomegranate, bubble, feather, or a green flower
Byeoljihwa: Traditional storytelling that is present between two morucho and consists of holy animals (such as dragons, lions, horses, or cranes) along with sagunja (specual plants such as plums, orchids, or bamboo) and scenes of the buddha sutra
Bidan munui: This pattern is full of diverse colors used to create geometric shapes
Dangdong munui: Used to describe when a single flower, animal, gemoetric shape, or pattern appears in one section
An example of morucho dancheong - a single flower is painted on the end of each beam
An example of byeoljihwa dancheong
So, there you have it. A brief story behind South Korea’s majestic and eye-catching temples, yet a much deeper understanding of ancient Korean values and beliefs. Next time you find yourself in new surroundings, or even in a place that you visit often but don’t know much about, be sure to take a step back and simply wonder. You never know what new meaning you might discover!
Thanks for stopping by and as always, stay safe & happy travels!
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5 Common Misconceptions About South Korea: Here's what I learned during my first visit
Take a moment to think about South Korea. What comes to mind? Odds are it includes something along the lines of North Korea, kimchee, Buddhism, and not much more. That’s ok! Here are 5 common misconceptions about this stunningly beautiful and wildly underrated country, because their neighbors to the north shouldn’t be a reason to stay away.
Take a moment to think about South Korea. What comes to mind? Something along the lines of North Korea, kimchee, and Buddhism. I knew next-to-nothing about the country before I spontaneously booked plane tickets two weeks in advance — I'm not very planning-oriented when it comes to travel (learn from my mistakes and do a bit of preparation ahead time before visiting South Korea)!
Once word had spread about my upcoming adventure, it was only natural that my inbox was filled to the brim with a slew of questions:
Is it safe? What if North Korea attacks?
What if you don’t like the food?
How will you communicate? What happens if you need help?
To be honest, I couldn’t answer any of those questions at the time. I would simply stumble my way through a response to not only calm the nerves of those asking but my own as well.
It wasn’t until I arrived in South Korea and experienced all that it has to offer that I realized there was nothing to fear. So, here are 5 common misconceptions about this strikingly beautiful, amazingly peaceful, and wildly underrated country. Enjoy!
MISCONCEPTION #1: IT’S NOT SAFE
It’s only natural that when one thinks of South Korea, North Korea comes to mind. Technically speaking, the two countries are still at war (an armistice agreement was signed in 1953 that effectively ended all combat). There must be a plethora of safety concerns that come from this, right? Wrong.
Unless traveling to the demilitarized zone, there is seemingly no tension, emotional or physical, among South Koreans. Instead, the 10 million people living 50km away from the border in Seoul go about their daily life uninterrupted. It was easy to forget where I was in the world until I checked a map.
At the end of the day, South Korea is a very safe country to visit; don’t let its location in the world keep you away!
Demilitarized Zone at Joint Security Area - South Korea
MISCONCEPTION #2: IF YOU DON’T ENJOY BUSY CITIES THEN SOUTH KOREA ISN’T FOR YOU
Did you know that South Korea has the fastest internet in the world? Or that nearly 51.5 million people co-exist within a country similar in size to Tennessee?
There are numerous facts that may lead one to believe that South Korea is a type of futuristic, technologically-advanced, population-dense country, especially when cities such as Seoul and Busan are often at the forefront of itineraries. What many don’t realize until they arrive is that over half of South Korea is covered in forests and mountains.
The best part? You don’t have to travel far to reach them!
Bukhansan National Park is located a mere 13km from Seoul, making it easy to trade in the city streets for a mountainside temple. If flora and fauna peak your interest over rocky cliffs, then be sure to wander around Dadohaehaesang, South Korea’s largest national park. Here you’ll spot over 1,500 species of plants and 140 different kinds of birds.
Mountains don’t do it for you? That’s fine. South Korea is also home to 2,313 km of coastline, including Jeju, the country’s own island paradise.
With so much to offer, there’s an adventure for everyone!
Hadong, South Korea
MISCONCEPTION #3: ALL SOUTH KOREANS SPEAK ENGLISH
Although English lessons are part of the modern-day South Korean education system, it’s important to realize that the language isn't always widely spoken.
As a result, English comprehension is generally, not always, limited to people under the age of 40. Older generations may know a few keywords and phrases but often aren’t comfortable conversing with someone fluent. There’s no harm in that, but what do you do when you’re lost and in need of help? Find a younger adult.
Seeking a more meaningful interaction and fewer charades?
Take a stab at learning Korean! Rather than relying on a plethora of confusing symbols, the language is based on a 24 character alphabet known as Hangul and is widely considered to be easier to learn than other languages such as Japanese and mandarin. The language wasn’t organically grown over time. Instead, the Hangul alphabet was specifically invented to be easy to use, in large part due to its phonetically-friendly nature.
Think of it as your passport into Korean society without much effort.
For more reading on South Korea, check out these posts:
MISCONCEPTION #4: BUDHISM REIGNS SUPREME
Buddhism may be one of the oldest religions in South Korea (established in 372), but the country has developed into a holy melting pot as centuries have passed. Yes, Buddhist beliefs remain a pillar of South Korea’s cultural heritage, as does Confucianism, but it’s only the second most practiced religion. A 2015 census showed that 19.7% of South Koreans identified as Protestants (thanks to North American missionaries dating back to the 19th century), which was more than both Buddhism (15.5%) and Catholicism (7.9%). Islam also continues to grow since the inception of the Islamic Society of Korea in 1955.
It’s hard to ignore the tens of thousands of temples constructed throughout the country but peel away the surface and you’ll find yourself staring deeper into a religious spectrum that many never realize exists, let alone experience.
Daewonsa Temple - South Korea
MISCONCEPTION #5: IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND NON-TRADITIONAL FOOD
South Koreans love their kimchee. Whether it’s served as a traditional side dish (known as banchan), stuffed inside of a dumpling, or simply a meal of its own, this spicy fermented cabbage is widely available for consumption at every turn. The same can be said of other traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap (mixed vegetables and rice), tteokbokki (spicy Korean rice cakes), and makgeoli (a milky, off-white fermented rice drink).
Although the traditional culture and food are well preserved and respected throughout the country, the younger generation has grown up with more options that seemingly expand each day. South Korea ranks fourth in the world for the most Starbucks stores per capita (with 1,008 stores total, that’s one outlet for every 50,000 people) and it’s not uncommon to stumble upon the golden arches of McDonald’s as you meander through city streets. Despite what some may lead you to believe, it’s relatively easy to satisfy even the most western of taste buds.
It doesn’t have to be all big-business, though. How do fried chicken and beer sound?
Together, the two are known as “chimaek” and the obsession runs deep. So deep in fact that Daegu hosts an annual festival dedicated solely to this delectable combo — all the more reason to visit in July! You can read more about how this craze came to be by clicking here.
Gwangjang Market - Seoul, South Korea
So, what do you think? I hope that, in the very least, a trip to South Korea sounds more enticing than it might have prior to reading this post. Give it a go. After all, how do you know if you enjoy something if you don’t try it?
Thanks for reading and as always, stay safe & happy travels!
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