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NMK 2014 SUMMER
UPDATED ON APRIL 11, 2014
THE TIGER: FEARLESS VS. FRIENDLY
UPDATED ON OCTOBER 25, 2013
THE TIGER: FEARLESS VS. FRIENDLY
RANK BADGE WITH TWIN TIGER DESIGN Joseon Dynasty Silk 18.3 × 16.9 cm namsan 798
A rank badge is a decorative square
rank badges with a cloud and crane
patch attached to the front and back of
design, while officials of the lower ranks
the official robes of government officials
(danghagwan) wore rank badges with a
and members of the royal family. This
white crane design. Then in 1871 (8th year
rank badge embroidered with a twin-
of Emperor Gojong), the design on rank
tiger design was worn by a high-ranking military official. The tiger is known for its
MOUNTAIN SPIRIT
Paintings of the mountain spirit started to
monly seen in folk painting. The tiger was
be enshrined at Buddhist temples when
considered a sacred animal and symbol
indigenous belief in the mountain spirit
of strength and courage. Here it has been
was fused with Buddhism. In Buddhism
depicted as a friendly, familiar creature
there is a mountain god, who is one of
rather than a ferocious beast to present it
badges for civil officials changed to a twin
the gods that protect the Buddhist law,
as an animal close to people, and a spiri-
crane design for the high officials and a
or dharma. However, most Korean paint-
tual being that assists humans.
warrior-like courage and is considered a
single crane design for lower officials. In
ings of the mountain god reflect native
loyal, intelligent beast that punishes evil.
the case of military officials, high officials
folk beliefs rather than Buddhism. This
Rank badges were originally worn only by
wore a rank badge with a twin-tiger de-
painting shows the typical mountain god
the highest civil and military officials, but
sign and lower officials a rank badge with
of folk belief, featuring an old man of
were adopted for the robes of all officials
a single tiger design. This system contin-
otherworldly appearance accompanied
during the reign of King Yeonsangun.
ued to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in
by a tiger, with steep mountains in the
From 1734 (10th year of King Yeongjo),
1910.
background. Beside the mountain god is
civil officials of the three highest ranks (collectively called dangsanggwan) wore
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Around the world summer this year is hotter than ever before thanks to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil fever. To mark the World Cup season, the National Museum of Korea introduces on its Facebook some artifacts featuring the tiger, symbol of the Korean national soccer team who wear a tiger emblem on the left-hand side of their official uniforms. But the fearlessness of the tiger is nothing new. Here we explore traditional beliefs about tigers and the use of the tiger as a symbol throughout Korean history.
Joseon Dynasty Silk 109.5 × 81.0 cm sin 015313
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a young child attendant, while the tiger is depicted in cartoonish style, as com-
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