A Collection of Historical Materials Showing the Birth and Evolution of the Taegukgi
From Diplomatic Scenes in 1882 to the Announcement of Production Methods in 1949, Examining the Flow of the Taegukgi Through Official Records
Today, the Taegukgi looks the same no matter where you see it, but it wasn't always defined by the same proportions and layout from the beginning. In the late 19th century, when Joseon began to establish diplomatic relations with various Western nations, there emerged various designs that utilized the Taeguk and trigrams as a flag to represent the state.
The discussions on national flags at diplomatic scenes in 1882, the records left in the writings of Park Yeong-hyo, and the establishment of the national flag by Gojong in 1883 all illustrate the early stages of the Taegukgi becoming a national symbol.
Emergency-drawn Taegukgis on the streets, Taegukgis inscribed with words and signatures, and Taegukgis used in government offices all had slightly different designs. This variation was due to different production environments and methods of transmission, and a unified standard had not yet been established. These differences are not a list of incorrect designs, but rather traces of an era when people created and used the Taegukgi in their respective places.
This collection groups eight scenes in chronological order from 1882 to the announcement of production methods for the national flag in 1949. Follow the official records of each item to explore how the Taegukgi transitioned from being a symbol of diplomacy to a flag of the independence movement, and eventually to the standardized national flag of the Republic of Korea.
Discussions on Taegukgi Design during Diplomatic Events in 1882
1882 Diplomatic Scene and Taegukgi Design Discussions
During the signing of the Joseon-U.S. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation, discussions were held on preparing a national flag, and various viewpoints about the original form of the flag remain.
This scene shows the starting point of preparations for a symbol to represent the nation.
Based on the explanation from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety regarding ‘1882 Diplomatic Scene and Taegukgi Design Discussions,’ we can distinguish between facts and interpretations.
What to verify alongside official materials: it’s not determined who the original designer was · period: 1882.
When you compare it with events from the preceding and following years, it becomes easier to read how the role of the Taegukgi changed.
Park Young-hyo’s Sahwa Giryak and Taeguk · Four Symbols Design
Park Yeong-hyo’s Saehwa Giyrak and the Taeguk and Four Trigram Designs
According to the Saehwa Giyrak, on September 1882, Park Yeong-hyo made a flag using the Four Trigrams of Geon, Gon, Gam, and I instead of the Eight Trigrams while on board and reported it to his home country.
This shows the process by which the early Taeguk design was recorded.
The related information on ‘Park Yeong-hyo’s Saehwa Giyrak and the Taeguk and Four Trigram Designs’ can be found in the original texts published by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Information that distinguishes this item: period: September-October 1882 · related record: Saehwa Giyrak.
By verifying the time of writing and the places it was used, we can examine the differences in early designs.
Establishment and Proclamation of the Taegukgi in 1883
1883 Establishment and Announcement of the Taegukgi as the National Flag
In 1883, Gojong established and announced the Taeguk and Four Trigram flag as the national flag of Joseon.
This marks a pivotal point in the institutionalization of the Taegukgi as the official national flag.
Documents from the Independence Hall confirm the name and significance of ‘1883 Establishment and Announcement of the Taegukgi as the National Flag.’
Main contents indicated in the record: period: 1883.
By distinguishing between the establishment records and actual usage cases, one can clearly see changes in institutions and daily life.
Taegukgi Known to the Public through the Independence Newspaper
Independence Newspaper and the Taegukgi Known to the Public
During the activities of the Independence Association and the Independence Newspaper, the Taegukgi became widely known to the public as a symbol of a modern nation and national independence.
This shows the flow of how the national symbol spread to the public through newspapers and social movements.
Detailed descriptions of ‘Independence Newspaper and the Taegukgi Known to the Public’ are organized on the official page of the National Museum of Korean History for further verification.
Key information to look out for: period: 1890s.
When viewed alongside newspaper materials from that time, it becomes easier to understand the process by which the Taegukgi spread to the public.
Taegukgi of the March 1st Movement
Taegukgi on the Streets during the March 1st Movement
In the March 1st Movement of 1919, the Taegukgi was used as a symbol expressing the collective will for independence, and various physical forms have been preserved.
This explains the moment when the Taegukgi became a flag expressing the will for independence.
The records provided by the Independence Hall on ‘Taegukgi on the Streets during the March 1st Movement’ clarify the context in which this item is placed.
Criteria organized in the material: period: 1919.
Compare with site photographs and preserved artifacts to discover individual traces of production.
Taegukgi of the Provisional Government and Independence Movement
The Taegukgi related to the Provisional Government and the Korean Liberation Army contains writings requesting support from fellow compatriots and signatures of military members.
This shows how the provisional government and independence activists inscribed their intentions on the Taegukgi.
The official basis for ‘Taegukgi of the Provisional Government and Independence Movement’ is documented in materials from the Independence Hall, and images and descriptions can be viewed on the connected page.
Basic information for this item: period: Japanese colonial period.
By reading the writings and signatures left on the Taegukgi, you can also uncover the connections and wishes of independence activists.
Discussion on Government Establishment and Unification of Production Methods in 1948
1948 Establishment of Government and Discussion on Unifying Production Methods
After the establishment of the Republic of Korea, the need to unify the different methods of producing the Taegukgi grew, leading to the formation of a national flag correction committee.
This explains the background necessitating the unification of differing production methods following the establishment of the government.
The guidance from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety regarding ‘1948 Establishment of Government and Discussion on Unifying Production Methods’ helps differentiate between commonly known terms and official standards.
Areas to compare: related organization: National Flag Correction Committee · period: 1948-1949.
Comparing designs before and after the establishment of the government reveals why unifying production methods was necessary.
Announcement of National Flag Production Method in 1949
1949 Announcement of National Flag Production Methods
On October 15, 1949, the government confirmed and announced the national flag production methods, establishing common standards for the modern Taegukgi specifications.
This marks the point at which common standards for today’s Taegukgi specifications were established.
On the connected page of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, you can directly compare the key contents and sources of the ‘1949 Announcement of National Flag Production Methods.’
Key points to verify in the original text: period: October 15, 1949 · related record: national flag production methods announcement.
When viewing the modern Taegukgi, revisit the common standards established by this announcement.
By following the history of the Taegukgi, it becomes clear that a complete design didn't suddenly appear one day; instead, it evolved through diplomacy, institutions, popular movements, and nation-building processes. The reason why the expressions in early records are different and the arrangements and proportions of the existing physical specimens are inconsistent lies in that process of change. Therefore, rather than simply categorizing old Taegukgis as right or wrong based on today’s production standards, it is important to verify when, who, and for what purpose they were used.
Records from 1882 and 1883 show the movements of a nation trying to establish a national flag, while materials from the Independence Newspaper and the March 1st Movement illustrate how the Taegukgi spread as a public symbol. In materials related to the provisional government and the Korean Liberation Army, one can read the wishes and connections of people from that time through the words and signatures left directly on the Taegukgi.
After the establishment of the government in 1948, discussions to unify the various methods of producing the Taegukgi intensified, and the announcement in 1949 established common standards for today's specifications.
When looking at each item, rather than just memorizing the years, try to compare official records with actual artifacts. By connecting the differences in designs, usage locations, and inscribed writings, you can gain a much clearer understanding of the roles the Taegukgi played in different eras.
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