A Dictionary of Traditional Korean Patterns: Sipjangsaeng, Dangcho, Plum Blossom, and Taegeuk

From hanok window lattices to ceramics and embroidery — discover the meaning behind the traditional patterns found all around us.

Plum blossom pattern — Patterns depicting nature

Subtitle: The plum blossom, which blooms first despite the cold. A pattern depicting the plum blossom, the first flower to bloom even amid the cold of early spring. It was believed to symbolize the integrity and nobility of the scholar-gentleman, and was widely used to decorate ceramics, embroidery, and furniture.

Peony pattern — Patterns depicting nature

Subtitle: The king of flowers, a symbol of wealth and prosperity. A pattern depicting the lavish, full-blossomed peony, long called the "king of flowers" and believed to symbolize wealth and prosperity. It was a favorite motif for wedding-related folding screens, blankets, and pillow ends.

Lotus pattern — Patterns depicting nature

Subtitle: The lotus, blooming clean even from the mud. A pattern depicting the lotus flower, which grows in murky mud yet blooms clean and pure. It symbolizes Buddhist purity and enlightenment, and appears especially often in temple architecture and Buddhist crafts.

Cloud pattern — Patterns depicting nature

Subtitle: A cloud motif representing auspiciousness. A pattern stylized from the shape of clouds floating in the sky, carrying the meaning of auspicious, favorable energy; it was often used in formal settings, such as on official robes, ceramics, and palace dancheong (decorative painted patterns).

Sipjangsaeng pattern — Patterns wishing for fortune and longevity

Subtitle: Sun, mountains, water, rocks, clouds, pine trees, the elixir of immortality, a turtle, a crane, and a deer. A pattern depicting together the ten natural elements believed to be unchanging or long-lived, carrying a wish for eternal life and youth; it was a favorite motif for folding screens and embroidered items.

Bat pattern — Patterns wishing for fortune and longevity

Subtitle: A symbol of fortune (bok) born from a play on Chinese character pronunciation. Based on the idea that the Chinese character for "bat" (蝠, bok) is pronounced the same as the character for "fortune" (福, bok), the bat shape was treated as an auspicious pattern for inviting good fortune and used to decorate furniture and ornamental accessories.

Taegeuk pattern — Patterns wishing for fortune and longevity

Subtitle: A pattern expressing the harmony of yin and yang. A pattern expressing the harmony of yin and yang through interlocking red and blue (or black) curves that swirl together, carrying the philosophy that all things in the universe interact and achieve balance. The taegeuk symbol on the Korean flag also originates from this pattern.

Subok pattern — Patterns wishing for fortune and longevity

Subtitle: A pattern using the characters for "longevity" (su) and "fortune" (bok). A pattern that stylizes the characters "壽" (su, meaning longevity) and "福" (bok, meaning fortune) directly into a design, engraved on bowls, small tables, and wedding items to express a wish for a long, fortunate life.

Dangcho pattern — Geometric patterns

Subtitle: An endlessly connected vine motif. A pattern stylized from the way a vine extends its stems in an unbroken sequence, carrying a wish that descendants will flourish for generations and good fortune will continue unbroken; it was widely used as a border decoration on roof tiles and dancheong.

Lattice pattern — Geometric patterns

Subtitle: A repeating window-lattice or checkerboard motif. A geometric pattern formed by horizontal and vertical lines crossing at regular intervals in a repeating sequence, commonly found in the window and door lattice designs of hanok (traditional Korean houses), giving a neat, stable impression.

Manja pattern — Geometric patterns

Subtitle: The 卍 symbol representing Buddhist auspiciousness. A pattern formed by repeating the "卍" (manja) symbol, originally a Buddhist mark symbolizing auspiciousness and eternity, applied in temple dancheong, wrapping cloths, and lattice-window designs.

Why were traditional patterns created?

People in the past inscribed patterns throughout architecture, clothing, and everyday items, carrying wishes for longevity, good fortune, flourishing descendants, and prosperity. Some patterns are direct depictions of natural objects, but many are symbolic patterns devised based on the pronunciation or meaning of Chinese characters, making them even more interesting to appreciate once you know their origin.

Curious about traditional Korean colors?

If you're curious about the traditional Korean colors often used alongside these patterns, take a look at our complete overview of Korea's traditional five colors (obangsaek) as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are the ten elements included in sipjangsaeng?

Generally, the sun, mountains, water, rocks, clouds, pine trees, the elixir of immortality, a turtle, a crane, and a deer appear together most often, but the exact composition can vary slightly from work to work, sometimes adding bamboo or the moon, or omitting some elements.

Are these patterns still used today?

Yes — beyond hanok window lattices and temple dancheong, designs applying traditional patterns continue to be used in modern hanbok design, cultural merchandise, and interior decor items.