• Title/Summary/Keyword: religious symbolism

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A Study on the Color Sensation and Symbolism of Tibet Costume (티베트 복식의 색채 감성과 의미 탐색)

  • Wang, Cong;Kim, Jisu;Na, Youngjoo
    • Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.115-128
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    • 2018
  • Tibetans who live in the Tibetan highlands, the Roof of the World, have their own unique lifestyle wherein they conform to its long history, natural environment, and their own form of clothing culture. In their costumes, the use of colors, patterns and designs express religious meaning and represent the hopes and heart of life, which respects nature. This study aims to analyze the colors used in Tibetan costumes and examine the meaning of these colors. In addition, this study intends to understand the specificity of Tibetan culture through a consideration of the symbolism of the colors of ethnic costumes. By examining the literature and conducting case studies, colors of Tibetan costumes were analyzed through the I.R.I HUE-TONE system. We analyzed 96 photographs of the costumes photographed during the Tibet ceremony costume, photographs seen at the Qinghai Tibet Culture Museum and photographs from the Internet museum. The results revealed the following: First, the most important element of the costumes is connected to the five colors of JangOsaek, which gives meaning to each color. Red, navy blue, yellow, white and green symbolize fire, the sky, earth, clouds or snow, and grasslands, respectively. Second, Tibetan costumes are characterized by bold color contrasts such as red and green, black and white, red and yellow, and yellow and purple to achieve an intense harmony of colors. Third, these fancy costumes express the unique aesthetics of the Tibetan people. The primary colors follow general emotions, but they can also include their own emotion.

Theme and Form in T. S. Elopt's "The Waste Land" (T. S. Eliot의 "The Waste Land"에 나타난 주제와 형식)

  • Yang, Hyun-Chul
    • English Language & Literature Teaching
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    • no.4
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    • pp.249-267
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    • 1998
  • "The Waste Land" is Eliot's best known poem. It was first published in 1922 and became a famous poem in modem poetry by the 1940's. The poem is a statement of his personal experience with spiritual crisis, this simple outline is complicated and universalized by being set within the structure of 'the Fisher King legend'. The fisher King legend was studied by Miss Weston in From Ritual to Romance and Sir James Frazer in The Goldon Bough which traced the vegetation myths. It explained the cycle of the seasons in relation to the death and rebirth of a god. The god died in the winter with the death of the vegetation and was reborn in the spring with the rebirth of the vegetation. Sir James Frazer reaced these ancient rituals within the Christian world. He indicated that the death and rebirth of Christ falls within the pattern of this ancient ritual. Also Miss Weston transformed that ancient ritual into Christian terms, and connected it with the Quest for the Holy Grail. Eliot used not only the title, but the plan and a good of the important symbolism of the poem from these two books. "The Waste Land" is a difficult one because of the numerous interruptions in the narrative. On the superficial level, the story covers a 12-hour period in a day. It is also in "the stream of consciousness." It might be called the internal monologue; that is, "the free association of ideas in the mind of the narrator," Eliot experiments with both the idea of time and with the stream of consciousness, He employs a number of quotations and allusion from the Classic literature. So, his technique in "The Waste Land" consists of the juxtaposition of the present with mythcism and religious symbolism derived from the past. The structure of the poem is built out of the contrasts in time. The poem illustrates his conception of the past as an active part of the present. "The Waste Land" has "a symphonic structure" composed of five parts, which are linked by the repeated themes. The theme is the death and salvation of the Waste Land. It is drawn from the Fisher King myths. Moreover, he has absorbed into the structure of this poem the language, phrases, and associations of other writers. It gave the poem the universality both of theme and of pattern. Also, his intricate and fine techniques added the universality to the poet's personal material. At last, the verse pattern of the poem follow the same basic structure as the thematic patterns. Again in symphonic style, the verse varies from section to section. The interruption of real time is associated with the flow of consciousness. Though the poem is a complex structure, there are the interweavings of a great deal of ideas into a simple, brief statement. By these poetic techniques the poem manages to have good harmony and unity between the thematic pattern and narrative structure. "The Waste Land" therefore, became the greatest poem in the 20th century modern world.

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The Symbolism of Korean 'Gat' and the Etymology of 'Hat' (영어 'Hat'가 된 한국 '갓' 의 상징성)

  • Hyo Jeong Lee;Youngjoo Na
    • Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.3-20
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    • 2022
  • The origins of the world-recognized Korean gat can be traced back to Gojoseon, and the jades for the sangtu and gwanja come from Hongshan culture. This study examines the etymology of the hat, the symbolism of the gat and the jade comb, and the history of the development of the accessories for the hat. The research methods of literature review, investigation of relics and murals, and analysis of cases of pronunciation changes were used. Most of the relics excavated from the Hongshan are identical to those excavated from Korea. The Byun-Khan people wore a triangle-shaped conical hat (the byun), which was shaped to fit the protruding sangtu hairstyle, with a foldable brim that, if pulled downward, changed the hat to a gat. The Chu sangtu, a pointed top-knot hairstyle, is uniquely found among Northeast Asian peoples, and it is an ethnic symbol for Koreans. Until the modern period, many Koreans wore their hair in the sangtu style, indicating their descent from the sky. Jade combs shaped like birds and clouds from the Hongshan period emphasized the religious nature and ceremony of hair styling at that period. The word hat is widely used to refer to gat all over the world. The pronunciation of ㄱg, ㅎh. and ㅋq/kh are closely related to each other, and the ancient pronunciation ㄱg gradually evolved to ㅎh or ㅋq/kh. The English 'Hat' and Korean 'Gat' were transformed from the middle-ancient sound 'gasa > gosa > got' of the crown 'gwan, gokkal'. This creative hair style culture that started from the Hongshan culture continued to be fashionable during the Gojoseon Dangun period, and the decoration techniques for hats and accessories were inherited over time and continuously developed. Along with the method of making gat, creative hair-related parts, such as manggeons, donggot pins, gwanja buttons, and fine combs were developed over the course of a thousand years.

A Specificity and Narrative Structure of the Russian Iconostasis and Korean Amrtakundalin(amrita painting, 甘露幀畵) (러시아 이코노스타시스(iconostasis)와 한국 감로탱화(甘露幀畵)의 특수성과 서사구조)

  • Lee, Kyw-Young
    • Cross-Cultural Studies
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    • v.42
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    • pp.419-449
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    • 2016
  • The Russian icon and Korean tangwha (幀畵, altar portrait of Buddha) are based on the similarity of the divine Being. Each has the characteristic index that forms an existential connection with the object and at the same time, implies the symbolic meaning of the scriptures and doctrines of the Russian Orthodox and Buddhists. Russian icon and Korean tangwha with these attributes have origins in the Byzantine, India and China. Unlike most religious art, Russian icon and Korean tangwha clearly reveal profane orientation and mystical elements. This artistic phenomenon has evolved from the mystical religious culture in Russia and tantric rituals of the early Joseon period. Iconostasis, created from historical figures of the Old Testament, Jesus, the New Testament represent the principles of the macrocosm. Each icon of iconostasis has integrity, while each floor has another narrative and a meta-discourse on the entire composition. Three-Platforms of amrtakundalin can also have a huge epic that is directed from the Low-Platform to the High-Platform for the purpose of salvation. While the narrative of iconostasis has a time structure, from the beginning of the universe up to date in chronological time, amrtakundalin have pictorial transitions of time and space that rises from this life to a heavenly world. Despite the different world views of the Russian Orthodox and Buddhists, iconographical format and symbolism of heaven and hell in the Iconostasis, Last Judgment and amrtakundalin are similar. There is a constant antagonism between heaven and hell, light and darkness, water and flame. Iconographical contents include the water of life and nectar, the book of life and 'eoppu', and the scales and mirror of Karma that discriminate between the good and evil before judgment. The dualistic coordinate concept such as light and darkness, life and death, or heaven and hell that appears in the narrative structure of iconostasis, the Last Judgment and amrtakundalin leads the people to spiritual awakening.

Walking the Labyrinth in the Korean Church ('래버린스 걷기'에 대한 고찰과 그 활용 방안)

  • Sam Jun Ryu
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.75
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    • pp.127-152
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    • 2023
  • Purpose of study: This study aims to explore 'labyrinth walking,' a lesser-known Christian spiritual practice within the Korean church. Additionally, it intends to propose ways for implementing labyrinth walking through literature reviews encompassing theory and practice. Research content and method: The article begins with its exploration by defining labyrinth walking from a historical perspective. It was a spiritual practice that existed in the Middle Ages, involving the traversal of a labyrinthine shape, typically a single path on the floor, often accompanied by prayer or contemplation. The contemporary spiritual practice of labyrinth walking was recovered and reinterpreted by Christian scholars and spiritual directors during the mid and late twentieth century. Additionally, within Christianity, labyrinth walking, rich with symbolism representing Jesus' suffering and salvation, baptism, pilgrimage, and purification, comprises five essential steps: preparing, walking with prayer or contemplation, remaining in the center, returning, and journaling and sharing. By merging pilgrimage, walking, prayer, and meditation, the practice of walking the labyrinth can enable people to have an opportunity for retreat, to encounter and be accompanied by God, to experience moments of serenity and healing, to reflect on themselves, to create life-transforming resolutions, and to build a sense of community. As a result, many Korean churches should acknowledge the value of and utilize labyrinth walking to nurture faith and spirituality. Conclusions and Suggestions: Accordingly, this paper suggests some practical ways to employ labyrinth walking as a form of prayer, part of a ritual or religious activity, an embodiment of pilgrimage, and a tranquil and nonverbal experience. Furthermore, the study recommends that Korean churches establish proper goals, consider essential principles for labyrinth design and installation, and follow specific guidelines while conducting labyrinth walks.

A Study on the Current Planting Status and Maintenance Plans of Traditional Korean Temples (한국 전통사찰 경내 식재실태 및 식재정비방안 연구)

  • Lee, Seonhee;Jin, Hyeyoung;Lee, Hyun-Chae;Moon, Ae-ra;Choi, Woo-Kyung;Song, Yu-jin;Song, Jeong Hwa
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.53-70
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    • 2016
  • Korean temple gardens have very high preservation value as the place reflecting ancestral wisdom in harmony with nature. Not only as a religious place but also as a beautiful landscape place, many people including foreigners are visiting traditional Korean temples. However, current many Korean temple gardens lost their original value and meaning because of the inappropriate planting in traditional places. In this study, for maintaining the representativeness of traditional Korean temple, we researched the current planting status of traditional Korean temple. After the research of 51 traditional Korean temples, a total of 207 species of plants was investigated, and among them 128 species (61.84%) were Korean native plants, 76 species (36.71%) were cultivar plants, 2 species (0.97%) were naturalized plants, and 1 species (0.48%) is introduced plant. Korean red pine (46 temples), sawleaf zelkova (38 temples), and ginkgo (36 temples) were the high rank species among 207 species. Korean rare plants including black-fruit hackberry and Korean fir form 5.3% of total species, and Korean endemic plants including Korean weigela and Korean paulownia form 3.4% of total species in traditional Korean temples. On the other hand, plants that have religious meaning such as lotus, musa, and guelder rose form slightly. There is a higher proportion of traditional Korean plants than religious meaning plants in traditional temple gardens, so that temple gardens are highlighted as historic places. Based on the planting status, maintenance plans were established reflecting characteristics of each spaces: entry space, the precincts of a shrine, and flower stairs. As a result, we suggest that selecting a suitable plant species with regard to the religious meaning of the plant symbolism for newly designing Korean temple gardens.

Textile Design for Children Applying Korean Prehistoric Petroglyphs (한국 선사시대 암각화를 응용한 아동용 텍스타일 디자인 연구)

  • Jang, Kyung Ah;Park, Eun Kyung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.64 no.2
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    • pp.135-149
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    • 2014
  • This study attempts to adapt and develop Korean prehistoric petroglyphs into textile design for children. For this purpose, literature review was conducted to understand the plasticity and symbolism expressed in Korean prehistoric petroglyphs. Also this study conducted textile design development as follows: First, the figures and faces in petroglyphs were selected because children can easily recognize them. Second, two groups of different ages (7-9 and 10-13) were allowed to freely draw the selected motifs. Third, some of the motifs created by the children were selected that show children's individuality and also keep the features of the original motifs. The children's motifs were developed into textile design using Texpro and Photoshop. Then digital textile printing and 3D mapping program were used to make pajamas (5 types), umbrellas (3 types), and simulate bedding sets (2 types) for children. This research's results are as follows: First, petroglyphs are symbolic language of human's oldest art form, and related to religious and mythical belief. Korean petroglyphs have plasticity showing the development steps in technique and expression, with various shapes such as animals, human figures, faces, masks and abstract figures. Third, children showed their interests in various human figures and faces of the petroglyphs, and it was easy to draw those motifs in their own way. Fourth, 10 design motifs were selected from the children's work and used to create textiles considering materials and colors for children. Total 10 items were made and presented. This study confirmed the usefulness of applying prehistoric petroglyphs to children's textiles designs. These designs may grow as a kind of cultural product for children who know about and like petroglyphs. They can be a niche market items too, made to order for children with individuality and who favor originality.

The Pagan-Period and the Early-Thai Buddhist Murals: Were They Related?

  • Poolsuwan, Samerchai
    • SUVANNABHUMI
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.27-65
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    • 2014
  • Flourishing in the Central Dry Zone of Burma during a period from the mid-eleventh to the late-thirteenth century A.D., the historical kingdom of Pagan was one of the major Buddhist centers in Southeast Asia. The significance of Pagan as an important pilgrimage site of the region, where numerous relics of the Buddha were enshrined, had been maintained until long after the fall of its civilization. It is evident that the artistic influences of Pagan, particularly in the architectural and decorative domains, had been transmitted to various other Buddhist civilizations in the area. This study provides a detailed analysis on the relationships between the mural tradition of Pagan and those of its neighboring civilizations in Thailand-of the Ayutthayā, Lānnā and Sukhothai schools-dating from after the Pagan Period in the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century. Surprisingly, as the analysis of this study has suggested, such relationships seemed to be trivial, more on a minor stylistic basis than on substantial ideological and iconographic grounds. They suggest that transmission of the complex idea and superb craftsmanship of the mural tradition would not have been maintained adequately at Pagan after its civilization, probably due to the lack of royal patronage. It would have been extremely difficult for foreign pilgrims who visited Pagan after its dynastic period to appreciate the surviving murals of this lost tradition in terms of their complex programs and associated symbolism. Also, there had been a new center of the Sinhalese Buddhism firmly established in the Martaban area of lower Burma since the mid-fourteenth century that outcompeted Pagan in terms of supplying the new Buddhist ideas and tradition. Its fame spread wide and far among the Buddhist communities of Southeast Asia. Later, these Buddhist communities also established direct contact with Sri Lanka. The Sukhothai murals and the Ayutthayā murals in the crypt of Wat Rātchaburana, dating from the fourteenth/fifteenth century, show obvious Sri Lankan influence in terms of artistic style and Buddhist iconography. They could be a product of these new religious movements, truly active in Southeast Asia during that time.

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A Study on the Landscape Symbolism of Tongdo-palkyung and It's Narrative Structure (통도팔경(通度八景)의 경관상징성(景觀象徵性)과 서사구조(敍事構造))

  • Rho, Jae-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.27-37
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    • 2010
  • This study tries to illuminate the features and values of the Buddhist temple Palkyung by closely examining the forms, structures, and meanings of Tongdo-palkyung(通度八景) handed down at Tongdosa Temple, the best among Korea's Buddhist temples with its three treasures of Buddha, law of Buddha and Buddhist monks. The findings of this study can be summarized as the following. First of all, it reveals the meaning of the geographical name Yeongchuksan(靈鷲山), located to the west of Tongdosa, and a spectacular sight spread like an eagle's spread wings, as well as its location and spatial features. In particular, the arrangement features of a number of attached hermitages clearly show Yeongchuksan's world as being a temple with buddhist treasures. The multi-layered unfolding and centripetal intention of the scenery can be perceived through the shape of the Sshangryongnongju(雙龍弄珠形), around Tongdosa and the feature of the enclosed landscape encircling the steps of Hyeolcheo(穴處) Geumganggyedan. The substances and components of Tongdopalkyung include sound-based spectacles derived from Beoneumgu(梵音具) creating sounds related to religious rituals to enlighten and redeem mankind, such as Yeongji(影池: a holy pond with shadow reflections), drum sounds, and bell sounds along with physical features like pine trees, Dae(臺), waterfalls, Dongcheon (洞天), and a glow in the sky. On the other hand, Palkyung's geographical arrangements exhibit a circular spatial formation based on the main motif as Buddhist symbolism, beginning with the 'Gukjangsangseokpyo(國長生石標)' awakening the territoriality of Tongdosa and locating the first scene 'Mupunghansong(舞風寒松)' in its introductory area, with the features of water, bridge, pine grove, and Iljumun(gate) to stand for the influx. Six other scenes including 'Anyangdongdae(安養東臺)' are placed in the sacred precincts around Daeungjeon and Geumganggyedan while the glow of sunset at 'Danjoseong' just outside the domain closes the symbolic circular formation of the Tongdopalkyung, which coincides with the development of the Mandala figure symbolizing 'Gusanpalhae(九山八海)' centered in Sumisan(須彌山). What is more, Tongdopalkyung, while excluding primary scenic elements inside the temple, maximizes the domain of the mountain's entrance and the effects of the multi-layered mountain, mountain upon mountain, by intensifying the influx and centripetal qualities. The Tongdopalkyung analysis reveals the antithesis of four-coupled scenes conveying buddhist principles and thoughts on the basis of seasons, directions, space and time to display a narrative structural landscape when viewed from the temple's territoriality. Likewise, the characteristics and porch structures of Tongdopalkyung are tools and language of symbols to both externally strengthen the temple's territoriality and to internally, maximize the desires to the Land of Happiness as well as intensify religious wishes and the Mandala's multi-layered qualities through the meanings of time and space.

A Comparison Study on Kyedan of Korea Buddhist Temple and Kyedandokyung (한국(韓國) 불교사원(佛敎寺院)의 계단(戒壇)과 계단도경(戒壇圖經)의 비교(比較) 연구(硏究))

  • Park, Eon-Kon;Lee, Jae-In;Choi, Hyo-Sik
    • Journal of architectural history
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.99-118
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    • 2007
  • Kyedan(戒壇) is an altar to perform a rite of Buddhist Initiation which gives Precept to a Buddhist monk. Sometimes it is called the Place of Precept and Mandala by Sanskrit. In this study, the Sutra of the Tang(唐) Dosun(道宣) regarding First Kyedan of Jetavana-anathapindasyarama(祇園精舍), which was the first temple such as, Kyedandokyung(戒壇圖經), Kiwonsadokyung(祇洹寺圖經), Sabunyul(四分律) were analyzed to find out original form and layout. Ultimately, the study was intended to examine the spatial formation-principle by comparing with Kyedan Temple. The results of this study could be summarized as below. First. Except for Kyedan in Bakryensa, the height of lower stone plate of Buddhist Bell-Shaped Stupa of Korean Kyedan is higher than three storied Kyedan that described in Kyedandokyung. Second. Buddhist Bell-Shaped Stupa above Kyedan was presumed that embodied image of Bell Pedestal and symbolism of overturned-bowl were combined together, when Kyedandokyung and Kiwonsadokyung were referred. It could be examined by the existence of stone lantern. Third. In Korea, the rite of Buddhist initiation that gives Precept in Kyedan has been considered impossible. However, when the rite was conducted, there was a possibility to establish wood stair. It is because that the Buddhist Stupa of Silleuuksa(神勒寺) and Woljeongsa(月精寺), which reflected the image of Kyedan had stone stair. Fourth, The method to build Kyedan of Dosun divided into Large Region and Small Region was applied to the method to construct Stone terrace behind Jeongmyeolbogung(寂滅寶宮) like Tongdosa(通度寺) and complete Kyedan on the stone terrace. In other words, Jeongmyeolbogung became Kyedanwon(戒壇院) and Kyedan, itself became Small Region. The area of Stone terrace became Large Region and naturally, they constituted an Institution. Fifth, Korean Kyedan which is consist of Jeongmyeonlbogung and Kyedan is a Korean original composition principles of Kyedangaram(戒壇伽藍) that can satiate all the functions of Kyedan as a religious subject and the place of the rite of Buddhist initiation, as it had complex of Outdoor Kyedan, which was suggested by the sutra of Dosun and Institution of Kyedan.

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