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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • National Symbols

Flag of South Korea

The Flag of South Korea, officially called the Taegeukgi, is the national flag of the Republic of Korea.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Flag of South Korea, officially called the Taegeukgi, is a white field with a red-and-blue taegeuk circle and four black trigrams. Its design reflects balance, harmony, and traditional East Asian philosophy.

What it is

The Taegeukgi features a white background, a central red-and-blue taegeuk (yin-yang) circle, and four black trigrams in the corners. The name comes from the taegeuk symbol at the centre. The flag was created in 1882 and formally adopted in 1883.

Why it matters

The flag symbolizes peace, purity, and the balance of opposing forces in the universe. The taegeuk represents yin and yang (um-yang in Korean), while the trigrams are linked to heaven, earth, water, and fire, as well as seasons and directions. It's a key emblem of Korean identity and culture.

Key details

The white field is often associated with Korea's traditional white clothing and peace. The four trigrams derive from the classical eight trigrams system. The flag's proportion is 2:3, and its colours are white, red, blue, and black. It's commonly seen in Canada at Korean community events and international sporting events.

In short

  • The Taegeukgi has a white field, red-and-blue taegeuk, and four black trigrams.
  • It symbolizes balance, harmony, and cosmic duality.
  • Adopted in 1883, the design draws on East Asian philosophy.
  • Relevant to Canadians through diplomatic and cultural ties.
Canadian angle

The Taegeukgi is relevant to Canadians through South Korea–Canada diplomatic, cultural, and diaspora ties, and it is commonly seen at Korean community events, schools, and international sporting events in Canada.

Quick questions

What does the Korean flag symbolize?
It symbolises balance, harmony, and the interaction of opposing forces, especially through the taegeuk’s yin-yang imagery. The white field is commonly linked with peace and purity.
Why is the Korean flag called Taegukgi?
It is called Taegeukgi because the central emblem is the taegeuk symbol. In Korean, the name means the flag with the taegeuk.
What do the trigrams on the Korean flag mean?
The trigrams are commonly explained as symbols for heaven, earth, water, and fire. They also represent broader ideas such as seasons, directions, and cosmic balance.

Sources

  1. Ministry of the Interior and Safety (South Korea) — https://www.mois.go.kr/eng/sub/a03/nationalSymbol/screen.do
    Supports: Official description of the national flag’s design and components.
  2. Asia Society — https://asiasociety.org/education/taegeuk
    Supports: Meaning of the taegeuk, trigrams, symbolism, and the flag’s creation date.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Korea
    Supports: General identification of the Taegeukgi and its components.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-South-Korea
    Supports: Symbolism of the white field, taegeuk, and trigrams, plus historical context.
  5. Teaching Korea — https://teaching-korea.co.uk/object/the-taegeukgi/
    Supports: Date of official declaration and trigram meanings.
  6. Smarthistory — https://smarthistory.org/korean-national-flag/
    Supports: Historical development and meanings of the taegeuk and trigrams.