Bone needles dating from 3000 BC indicate that the needlework tradition in Korea is a very long and ancient one. Almost exclusively the work of women, the provision of clothing for all seasons and all occasions, the weaving and embellishing of linens and other household necessities, the construction of wrapping cloths, and the intricate knotting and embroidering of personal ornaments have consumed much of the time 60 60
of Korean women throughout history. At the same time, these necessary labors have given rise to some of the most beautiful and unique of Korean craft traditions. The quality of workmanship, the creativity, the infusion of auspicious symbolism, and the joyful use of color that characterize Korean needlework are some of the great treasures of Korean culture.