Flag of South Korea

Asia

51.2M

1949

KR | 2:3

Official Palette

Symbolism

The white background represents peace and purity. The central 'Taegeuk' circle symbolizes the balance of the universe (yin/blue and yang/red). The four black trigrams (gwẻ) in the corners represent heaven, sun, moon, and earth, as well as the four seasons and cardinal directions.

History

Known as the 'Taegeukgi', it was first designed and used in 1882 during the Joseon dynasty. The current exact specifications were formalized by the South Korean government in 1949, with minor color updates in 1997 and 2011.

Construction

A 2:3 ratio. The Taegeuk is exactly centered, and the four trigrams are positioned in the corners, angled to point toward the center.

Color Meanings

white: Peace, purity, and the traditional color of the people

blue: Eum (negative/yin) and the earth

red: Yang (positive) and the sky

black: The four trigrams (Heaven, Earth, Fire, Water)

Country Facts

Population: 51.2M

1.0% of Asia
Capital: Seoul
Languages: Korean
Continent: Asia
Subregion: East Asia
Landlocked: No
Borders: North Korea
ISO 3166-1: KR

Flag Identification

Adopted: October 15, 1949
Designer: Bak Yeong-hyo
Proportions: 2:3 (≈1.500)
Total Colors: 4

Influences

Taegeukgi philosophy of universal balance

Related flags

Flag Protocol

The Taegeuk circle must be perfectly centered
The four trigrams must be angled to point toward the center

Practice

Think you know the flags of Asia? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.

Start Asia Quiz