South Korea’s national flag is called the Taegeukgi. It has a white field with a red-and-blue taegeuk symbol at the centre and four black trigrams placed near the corners.

What does the Taegeukgi look like?

The central circle is divided into red above and blue below in a flowing yin-yang-like form. Four sets of three black bars surround it, each using a different combination of broken and unbroken lines.

What do the symbols mean?

The taegeuk expresses balance between complementary forces. The four trigrams derive from the I Ching tradition and are associated with concepts such as heaven, earth, fire and water. White has long been associated with peace and traditional Korean culture.

History of the flag

Versions of the Taegeukgi developed in the late nineteenth century during the Joseon kingdom. After liberation from Japanese rule and the creation of the Republic of Korea, the modern flag was officially standardised in 1949.

South Korea flag facts

• Name: Taegeukgi
• Colors: white, red, blue and black
• Trigrams: four
• Modern standardisation: 1949