Obangsaek
Traditional Korean color spectrum
Obangsaek | |
![]() The five cardinal colors of the traditional Korean color spectrum | |
Korean name | |
---|---|
Hangul | 오방색 |
Hanja | 五方色 |
Revised Romanization | Obangsaek |
McCune–Reischauer | Obangsaek |
The traditional Korean color spectrum, also known as Obangsaek (Korean: 오방색; lit. five direction colors), is the color scheme of the five Korean traditional colors of white, black, blue, yellow and red.[1][2] In Korean traditional arts and traditional textile patterns, the colors of Obangsaek represent five cardinal directions:[1] Obangsaek theory is a combination of Five Elements and Five Colours theory and originated in China.
Five orientations
- Blue: east
- Red: south
- Yellow: center
- White: west
- Black: north
These colors are also associated with the Five Elements of Culture of Korea:[1]
- Blue: Wood
- Red: Fire
- Yellow: Earth
- White: Metal
- Black: Water
References
- ^ a b c "The Five Cardinal Colors of Traditional Patterns". AsianInfo.org. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ^ Yoo, Jee-ho (3 May 2013). "Pyeongchang unveils emblem for 2018 Winter Olympics". Yonghap News Agency. Retrieved 29 April 2015.