The criteria ancient people had for evaluating the
beauty of flowers and trees were not their natural attributes, such as their
colors, appearances, or smell. Based on the principles and truth of human
affairs, flowers and trees offered symbolic meaning, thereby setting humanity’s
standards of liking or disliking them. Ancient people often used living items
inscribed with patterns bearing their symbolic meaning. Joseon’s Confucian
scholars discovered the world’s principles one by one, gaining knowledge
through the study of their surroundings, especially plants and trees. With this
attitude in mind, they contemplated ways to approach the principles of the
world and the path their minds had to take, all while seeing flowers and trees
flourishing and falling with time. What were the truths and principles that guided the
ancients’ inner worlds? What were their desires, dreams, or greatest hopes for
their lives? Ancient patterns that are particularly characterized by pristine,
witty, yet realistic adornment are one system of cultural symbols implying the
people’s collective consciousness. These symbols were also used as a means to
express their awe at nature and its mysteries, or to articulate their fear of
death and wishes for longevity, wealth, prosperity, great fortune, and
harmonious family -- sometimes even their own insatiable desire. These designs
indirectly represent ancient peoples’ desire and its roots. This exhibition is intended to reconfirm the true
nature of human desire signified by the patterns engraved in artifacts, with
special focus on their symbolic meaning. For instance, the peony is a symbol of
prosperity and wealth while lotus flowers stand for abundant vitality and
fertility. The dignity of a superior man with his lofty solitude can be
discovered in Chrysanthemums while the fidelity and pure spiritual world of a
true gentleman is found in bamboo. A pine tree design typically symbolizing
masculinity, scholarly fidelity and strict attitude was considered a symbol of
happy married life and conjugal affection for women. the plum flowers
emblematic of honesty, sincerity, and truth were used for the coat armor of the
imperial household of the Korean Empire.
Through the artifacts engraved with various patterns
of flowers and trees on display, we are able to examine how a design was
interpreted by people respectively, which worldly desire ancient people fundamentally
pursued, and what their roots were. Through six patterns of plants, including
peony, lotus flowers, plum, bamboo, pine trees, and chrysanthemum, our ancient
peoples’ collective consciousness as well as the true nature of their desire,
inherent in their inner self, is reflected. Supported by Coreana Cosmetics, Co., Ltd.