heritage of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria.

As one of the oldest continuous cultures in the

Jinju geommu

There is a distinction between court dance and folk dance. Common court dances
are jeongjaemu (정재무) performed at banquets, and ilmu (일무), performed at Korean Confucian
rituals. Jeongjaemu is divided into native dances (향악정재, hyangak jeongjae) and forms imported
from Central Asia and China (당악정재, dangak jeongjae). Ilmu are divided into civil dance
(문무, munmu) and military dance (무무, mumu). Many mask dramas and mask dances are
performed in many regional areas of Korea.[10] The traditional clothing is the genja, it is a special kind
of dress that women wear on festivals. It is pink with multiple symbols around the neck area.
Traditional choreography of court dances is reflected in many contemporary productions.
Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art, is central to the classic Korean dance. Taekkyeon, being
a complete system of integrated movement, found its core techniques adaptable to mask, dance and
other traditional artforms of Korea.

painting

Korean horseback archery in the fifth century

The earliest paintings found on the Korean peninsula are petroglyphs of prehistoric times. With the
arrival of Buddhism from India via China, different techniques were introduced. These techniques
quickly established themselves as the mainstream techniques, but indigenous techniques still
survived. Among them were the Goguryeo tomb murals, these murals inside many of the tombs are
an invaluable insight into the ceremonies, warfare, architecture, and daily life of ancient Goguryeo
people. Balhae kingdom, an successor state of Goguryeo, absorbed much of traditional Goguryeo
elements.[11]
 crafts

Blue and White Porcelain Peach-Shaped Water Dropper from the Joseon Dynasty 18th century

Lacquer drawer with mother-of-pearl inlay, at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul

There is a unique set of handicrafts produced in Korea. Most of the handicrafts are created for a
particular everyday use, often giving priority to the practical use rather than aesthetics. Traditionally,
metal, wood, fabric, lacquerware, and earthenware were the main materials used, but later glass,
leather or paper have sporadically been used.
Ancient handicrafts, such as red and black pottery, share similarities with pottery of Chinese cultures
along the Yellow River. The relics found of the Bronze Age, however, are distinctive and more
elaborate.
Many sophisticated and elaborate handicrafts have been excavated, including gilt crowns, patterned
pottery, pots or ornaments. During the Goryeo period the use of bronze was advanced. Brass, that
is copper with one third zinc, has been a particularly popular material. The dynasty, however, is most
prominently renowned for its use of celadon ware.
During the Joseon period, popular handicrafts were made of porcelain and decorated with blue
painting. Woodcraft was also advanced during that period. This led to more sophisticated pieces of
furniture, including wardrobes, chests, tables or drawers. Korean furniture represents one of the
great woodworking and design heritages of Asia and the world. It is part of a craft that goes back
well over a millennium, keeping alive a tradition that remains unchanged from at least the
seventeenth century. It is this tradition that has made Korean furniture one of the most sought-after
styles of exotic furniture by antique dealers and collectors worldwide. Immediately recognizable as
Korean, this unique art was only "discovered" by the West in the late 1940s and 1950s.[15]

ceramic

Main articles: Korean pottery and porcelain and Celadon

A celadon incense burner from the Goryeo Dynasty with Korean kingfisher glaze
The use of earthenware on the Korean peninsula goes back to the Neolithic. The history of Korean
Ceramics is long and includes both Korean pottery a later development after the traditional use of
coils and hammered clay to create early votive and sculptural artifacts. During the Three Kingdoms
period, pottery was advanced in Silla. The potterywas fired using a deoxidizing flame, which caused
the distinctive blue grey celadon color. The surface was embossed with various geometrical
patterns.
In the Goryeo period, jade green celadon ware became more popular. In the 12th century
sophisticated methods of inlaying were invented, allowing more elaborate decorations in different
colours. In Arts of Korea, Evelyn McCune states, "During the twelfth century, the production of
ceramic ware reached its highest refinement. Several new varieties appeared simultaneously in the
quarter of a century, one of which, the inlaid ware must be considered a Korean invention."[16] Neither
the Chinese nor the Japanese had produced inlaid celadon, which was unique to Goryeo wares.
William Bowyer Honey of the Victoria and Albert Museum of England, who after World War II wrote,
"The best Corean (Korean) wares were not only original, they are the most gracious and unaffected
pottery ever made. They have every virtue that pottery can have. This Corean pottery, in fact,
reached heights hardly attained even by the Chinese."[17]
White porcelain became popular in the 15th century. It soon overtook celadon ware. White porcelain
was commonly painted or decorated with copper.
During the Imjin wars in the 16th century, Korean potters were brought back to Japan where they
heavily influenced Japanese ceramics.[18] Many Japanese pottery families today can trace their art
and ancestry to these Korean potters whom the Japanese captured by the thousands during its
repeated conquests of the Korean peninsula.[19][20][21]
In the late Joseon period (late 17th century) blue-and-white porcelain became popular. Designs were
painted in cobalt blue on white porcelain.

Main article: Music of Korea

Pungmul

There is a genre distinction between folk music and court music. Korean folk music is varied and
complex in different ways, but all forms maintain a set of rhythms (called 장단; Jangdan) and a
loosely defined set of melodic modes. Korean folk musics are Pansori (판소리) performed by one
singer and one drummer. Occasionally, there might be dancers and narraters. They have been
designated an intangible cultural property in UNESCO's Memory of the world,[22] and Pungmul (풍물)
performed by drumming, dancing and singing. Samul Nori is a type of Korean traditional music
based on Pungmul, and Sanjo (산조) that is played without a pause in faster tempos. Nongak (농악)
means "farmers' music".
Korean court music can be traced to the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. Korean court
musics include A-ak, Dang-ak and Hyang-ak. Korean music is still played and sung a lot.
house
Main article: Korean architecture

Traditional house, hanok (한옥)

Traditional farmer's house; Folk Village, Seoul

Korean traditional houses are called Hanok (Hangul:한옥). Sites of residence are traditionally
selected using traditional geomancy. Although geomancy had been a vital part of Korean culture
and Korean Shamanism since prehistoric times, geomancy was later re-introduced by China during
the Three Kingdoms period of Korea's history.
A house should be built against a hill and face south to receive as much sunlight as possible. This
orientation is still preferred in modern Korea. Geomancy also influences the shape of the building,
the direction it faces and the material the house is constructed with.

Traditional Korean houses can be structured into an inner wing (안채, anchae) and an outer wing
(사랑채, sarangchae). The individual layout largely depends on the region and the wealth of the
family. Whereas aristocrats used the outer wing for receptions, poorer people kept cattle in
the sarangchae. The wealthier a family, the larger the house. However, it was forbidden to any
family except for the king to have a residence of more than 99 kan. A kan is the distance between
two pillars used in traditional houses.
The inner wing normally consisted of a living room, a kitchen and a wooden-floored central hall.
More rooms may be attached to this. Poorer farmers would not have any outer wing. Floor heating
(온돌, ondol) has been used in Korea since prehistoric times. The main building materials
are wood, clay, tile, stone, and thatch. Because wood and clay were the most common materials
used in the past not many old buildings have survived into present times.

Gardens
Hyangwonjeong, a garden in Gyeongbokgung, Seoul

The principles of temple gardens and private gardens are the same. Korean gardening in East
Asia is influenced by primarily Korean Shamanism and Korean folk religion. Shamanism emphasizes
nature and mystery, paying great attention to the details of the layout. In contrast to Japanese and
Chinese gardens, which fill a garden with man made elements, traditional Korean gardens avoid
artificialities, trying to make a garden "more natural than nature".
The lotus pond is an important feature in the Korean garden. If there is a natural stream, often a
pavilion is built next to it, allowing the pleasure of watching the water. Terraced flower beds are a
common feature in traditional Korean gardens.
The Poseokjeong site near Gyeongju was built in the Silla period. It highlights the importance of
water in traditional Korean gardens. The garden of Poseokjeong features an abalone-shaped
watercourse. During the last days of the Sillakingdom, the king's guests would sit along the
watercourse and chat while wine cups were floated durin

clothing

Hanbok

Hwarot, bridal robe

The traditional dress known as hanbok (한복, 韓服) (known as joseonot [조선옷] in the DPRK) has
been worn since ancient times. The hanbok consists of a shirt (jeogori) and a skirt (chima).
According to social status, Koreans used to dress differently, making clothing an important mark of
social rank. Impressive, but sometimes cumbersome, costumes were worn by the ruling class and
the royal family. These upper classes also used jewellery to distance themselves from the ordinary
people. A traditional item of jewellery for women was a pendant in the shape of certain
elements[which?] of nature which was made of precious gemstones, to which a tassel of silk was
connected.
Common people were often restricted to undyed plain clothes. This everyday dress underwent
relatively few changes during the Joseon period. The basic everyday dress was shared by everyone,
but distinctions were drawn in official and ceremonial clothes.
During the winter people wore cotton-wadded dresses. Fur was also common. Because ordinary
people normally wore pure white undyed materials, the people were sometimes referred to as
the white-clad people.
Hanbok are classified according to their purposes: everyday dress, ceremonial dress and special
dress. Ceremonial dresses are worn on formal occasions, including a child's first birthday (doljanchi),
a wedding or a funeral. Special dresses are made for purposes such as shamans, officials.
Today the hanbok is still worn during formal occasions. The everyday use of the dress, however, has
been lost. However, elderly still dress in hanbok as well as active estates of the remnant of
aristocratic families from the Joseon Dynasty. Though this may be changing with something of a
modern interest in the traditional dress among some of the young.[23]

Cuisine food

Bibimbap

Rice is the staple food of Korea. Having been an almost exclusively agricultural country until
recently, the essential recipes in Korea are shaped by this experience. The main crops in Korea are
rice, barley, beans and Gochujang (hot pepper paste), but many supplementary crops are
used. Fish and other seafood are also important because Korea is a peninsula.
Fermented recipes were also developed in early times, and often characterize traditional Korean
food. These include pickled fish and pickled vegetables. This kind of food provides
essential proteins and vitamins during the winter.
A number of dishes have been developed. These can be divided into ceremonial foods and ritual
foods. Ceremonial foods are used when a child reaches 100 days, at the first birthday, at a wedding
ceremony, and the sixtieth birthday. Ritual foods are used at funerals, at ancestral rites, shaman's
offerings and as temple food.
A distinguishing characteristic of Temple Food is that it does not use the common five strong-
flavoured ingredients of Korean cuisine--(garlic, spring onion, wild rocambole, leek, and ginger), and
meat.
Kimchi is one of the famous foods of Korea. Kimchi is pickled vegetables which contain vitamins A
and C, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, calcium, carotene, etc. There are many types of kimchi including
cabbage kimchi, spring onion kimchi, cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, and sesame kimchi.
For ceremonies and rituals rice cakes are vital. The colouring of the food and the ingredients of the
recipes are matched with a balance of yin and yang.
Today, surasang (traditional court cuisine) is available to the whole population. In the past vegetable
dishes were essential, but meat consumption has increased. Traditional dishes
include ssambap, bulgogi, sinseollo, kimchi, bibimbap, and gujeolpan.

Tea[edit]
Main article: Korean tea
Originally tea was used for ceremonial purposes or as part of traditional herbal medicine. Some of
teas made of fruits, leaves, seeds or roots are enjoyed. Five tastes of tea are distinguished in Korea:
sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent.

Festivals of the lunar calendar[edit]

Daeboreum

The traditional Korean calendar was based on the lunisolar calendar.[24] Dates are calculated from
Korea's meridian. Observances and festivals are rooted in Korean culture. The Korean lunar
calendar is divided into 24 turning points (절기, jeolgi), each lasting about 15 days. The lunar
calendar was the timetable for the agrarian society in the past, but is vanishing in the modern
Korean lifestyle.
The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1895, but traditional holidays and age
reckoning are still based on the old calendar.[24][25] Older generations still celebrate their birthdays
according to the lunar calendar.
The biggest festival in Korea today is Seollal (the traditional Korean New Year). Other important
festivals include Daeboreum (the first full moon), Dano (spring festival), and Chuseok (harvest
festival).
There are also a number of regional festivals, celebrated according to the lunar calendar. See
also Public holidays in North Korea and Public holidays in South Korea.

Belief
Main articles: Korean shamanism, Korean Buddhism, and Korean Confucianism
Haeinsa

The original religion of the Korean people was Shamanism, which though not as widespread as in
ancient times, still survives to this day. Female shamans or mudang are often called upon to enlist
the help of various spirits to achieve various means.
Buddhism and Confucianism were later introduced to Korea through cultural exchanges with
Chinese dynasties. Buddhism was the official religion of the Goryeo dynasty, and many privileges
were given to Buddhist monks during this period. However, the Joseon period saw the suppression
of Buddhism, where Buddhist monks and temples were banned from the cities and confined to the
countryside. In its place a strict form of Confucianism, which some see as even more strict than what
had ever been adopted by the Chinese, became the official philosophy.[26] Korean Confucianism was
epitomized by the seonbiclass, scholars who passed up positions of wealth and power to lead lives
of study and integrity.
Throughout Korean history and culture, regardless of separation, the traditional beliefs of Korean
Shamanism, Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism have remained an underlying influence of the
religion of the Korean people as well as a vital aspect of their culture.[27] In fact, all these traditions
coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years. They still exist in the more Christian South[28][29][30] and in
the North, despite pressure from its government.[31][32]