Korea first felt the need for a national flag as it was preparing to conclude the Korean-American Treaty of Commerce, which was concluded on May 22 and signed on June 6, 1882. This was during the 19th year of the reign of King Gojong of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

  Though China had been pressing Korea to use a dragon design on its national flag, Korea rejected this in favor of a blue and red yin-yang on a white field, a favorite Korean design since ancient times. Thus, the taegeuk design flag became the temporary national flag. Later Korea added eight trigrams combinations of three unbroken and broken bars - around the taegeuk circle and thereby creating the Taegeukgi, which served as the national colors for a while.

  King Gojong appointed Bak Yeoung-hyo as his ambassador to Japan in September 1882. While aboard ship heading for Japan, Bak drew a national flag with a taegeuk circle but included only four trigrams instead of eight, and started using the flag on the 25th of that month. On October 3, Bark reported this change to King Gojong who formally proclaimed the Taegeukgi as the national flag on March 6, 1883. For some unknown reason, however, he did not have formal instructions published at that time on how to make the flag. In fact, it wasn't till June 29, 1942, that the provisional Korean government in exile enacted a law on the uniform method of making the national flag. The law was promulgated but as the government was in exile, it was not widely known to Koreans at home still under Japanese colonial rule.

  Following the founding of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948, the government felt that it should codify the method of making the national flag. This prompted the government to form a special commission in January 1949 that issued the provision on the national flag on October 15 of that year. Since then, the Republic of Korea has been using the Taegeukgi as the national flag.

  Standard color shades of Taegeukgi, the Korean National Flag are follows: in the CIE System, the x, y, and Y coordinates for the red are x=0.5640, y=0.3194, Y=15.3; for the blue, x=0.1556, y=0.1354, Y=6.5. Alternatively, in the Munsell System of Color Notation, the red corresponds to 6.0R 4.5/14, and the blue to 5.0PB 3.0/12. In the Pantone Matching System, 186C red and 294C blue are recommended.

 

 

 

 

 

1) Diameter of circle x 3
2) Diameter of circle x 2
3) Length of flag x 1/2
4) Length of flag x 1/4
5) Diameter of circle x 1/4
6) Diameter of circle x 1/2
7) Diameter of circle x 1/3
8) Diameter of circle x 1/12
9) Diameter of circle x 1/24
10) Right angle(90 degrees)
(Width:Length=3:2) 

 

   

Meaning of the Taegeukgi

  The white background of the Taegeukgi symbolizes light and purity and reflects Koreans' traditional affinity for white. A taegeuk circle, divided equally and in perfect balance with red on top and blue below, represents the cosmic dual forces of yin (blue) and yang (red). It symbolizes universal harmony in which the positive and the negative or the active and the passive form a whole.

  The four trigrams that surround the taegeuk circle in the four corners denote the process of yin and yang going through a spiral of change and growth. The three unbroken bars in the upper left-hand corner denote geon ( heaven - justice), the three broken bars in the lower right-hand corner denote gon ( earth - fertility), the two broken bars with one unbroken bar in the middle in the upper right-hand corner denote gam ( water - life), and the two unbroken bars with a broken bar in the middle in the lower left-hand corner denote i ( fire - wisdom). Collectively the Taegeukgi represents universal harmony and unity.

  Thus, the Taegeukgi embodies the ideals of Koreans who have pursued development and prosperity under universal principles and truth and circumscribes the country's tasks of unifying the people and working for world peace and prosperity.

  Manner to the Flag

  Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

  "Before this proud Taegeukgi, I firmly pledge my loyalty and will devote my body and soul to the eternal glory of my country and people."

  When and How to Fly the Flag

  Days on which the Flag is flown

ㆍJanuary 1 - New Year's Day

ㆍMarch 1 - Independence Movement Day (Anniversary of the March 1, 1919 Independence Movement)

ㆍJuly 17 - Constitution Day

ㆍAugust 15 - Liberation Day

ㆍOctober 1 - Armed Forces Day

ㆍOctober 3 - National Foundation Day

ㆍOctober 9 - Hangeul Day (Anniversary of the promulgation of the Korean alphabet in 1446)

  Other days the government designates as national holidays

ㆍThe flag may be flown on days local autonomous governments or provincial or city councils designate as local holidays.

ㆍThe flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on Memorial Day (June 6), during periods of national mourning, and for state or public funerals.

  Places Where the Flag is Flown All Year Round

ㆍIt is obligatory to fly the flag every day at national and local government offices, public organizations, schools, and military installations.

ㆍIt is recommended that the flag be flown at places where international events are held such as hotels, large buildings, and parks where large crowds assemble, along the walls of government buildings and anywhere flag polls are installed.

ㆍPrivate homes and other places may display the national flag all year round if the residents so wish.

  Raising and Lowering the Flag

ㆍThe flag may be flown 24 hours a day, but if flown at night, it must be illuminated.

ㆍSchools and military units are required to fly the flag only during daylight hours.

ㆍThe flag should not be flown if there is any possibility that it might be torn or damaged by wind or rain.

  How to Fly the Flag

On national holidays and ordinary days,
it should be flown at full-mast.

On days of mourning,
it should be flown at half-mast.

When the flag is flown in a line with other flags in three or in other odd numbers,
it is should be placed in the center.

When the number of flags is even, the flag is flown on the left end as viewed from the front.

  * When the flag is flown in Korea together with the U.N. flag and flags of other countries, they should be flown in the following order: the U.N. flag, the Korean flag and flags of other countries in alphabetical order.

  Order of Raising or Lowering the Flag

ㆍWhen the flag is raised along with other flags, it should either be raised first or simultaneously with the others.

ㆍWhen the flag is lowered with other flags, it should either be lowered last or simultaneously with the others.

  Safekeeping and Care of the National Flag

ㆍThe flag must be folded with great care and stored in a flag box or other container for safekeeping. Additionally, the box or container must be stored in plain sight and be easily accessible.

ㆍIf the flag is dirtied or wrinkled, it may be washed and ironed with care so to ensure not to distort its original form.

ㆍIf the flag is damaged or worn out, it should not be discarded casually or used for other purposes; it should be burned in a discreet place.

  Authorized Uses of the Flag Designs

ㆍThe design of the national flag may be used on such items as office supplies, sporting goods, and other items if used in a way showing due respect to the national colors.

ㆍThe design of the flag should not be used, however, on disposable consumer products or in a distorted representation that would cause repugnance or show disrespec.