🧑🏻‍🎨East Asian Art and Civilization Unit 9 – Confucian Influence on Korean Arts

Historical Context

• Confucianism originated in China during the 6th century BCE, founded by the philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE)
• Confucianism spread to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE), particularly during the Goguryeo and Silla kingdoms
  • The Goguryeo kingdom adopted Confucianism in the 4th century CE
  • The Silla kingdom embraced Confucianism in the 6th century CE
• Confucianism became the official state ideology during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
• Neo-Confucianism, a more rationalist and metaphysical interpretation of Confucianism, gained prominence in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty
  • Neo-Confucianism synthesized Confucian ideas with Buddhist and Daoist elements
• The influence of Confucianism on Korean society, politics, and culture was most pronounced during the Joseon Dynasty
• Confucianism coexisted with other belief systems in Korea, such as Buddhism and Shamanism, creating a unique cultural amalgamation

Key Confucian Principles

• Emphasis on social harmony, achieved through the fulfillment of individual roles and responsibilities within a hierarchical society
• The Five Cardinal Relationships (오륜, Oryun) define the basic social structure
  • Ruler and subject
  • Father and son
  • Husband and wife
  • Elder brother and younger brother
  • Friend and friend
• The Four Virtues (사덕, Sadeok) guide moral conduct
  • Humanity (인, In)
  • Righteousness (의, Ui)
  • Propriety (예, Ye)
  • Wisdom (지, Ji)
• Filial piety (효, Hyo) stresses the importance of respect and obedience to parents and ancestors
• Emphasis on education and self-cultivation as a means to achieve moral and intellectual growth
• The concept of the "gentleman" or "noble person" (군자, Gunja) as the ideal human being who embodies Confucian virtues
• Belief in the inherent goodness of human nature and the potential for self-improvement through learning and practice

Confucianism in Korean Society

• Confucianism shaped the social structure, with a clear hierarchy based on age, gender, and social status
• The family served as the basic unit of society, with the father as the head of the household
• Confucian values emphasized the importance of education, leading to the establishment of schools (서당, Seodang) and the civil service examination system (과거, Gwageo)
• Confucian principles guided the relationship between the ruler and the ruled, with the king expected to be a benevolent and virtuous leader
• Confucian ethics influenced the development of Korean legal codes, such as the Gyeongguk Daejeon (경국대전) during the Joseon Dynasty
• Confucianism promoted a patriarchal society, with women's roles primarily confined to the domestic sphere
• Confucian rituals and ceremonies, such as ancestral worship (제사, Jesa), became integral parts of Korean culture

Impact on Visual Arts

• Confucian values of simplicity, modesty, and restraint influenced the aesthetics of Korean art
• Portraits of Confucian scholars and sages became a prominent genre in Korean painting
  • These portraits often depicted the subjects in a dignified, contemplative manner
• Calligraphy, considered one of the highest forms of art, was closely associated with Confucian scholarship
  • Calligraphic works often featured Confucian texts or moral maxims
• Confucian themes and symbols were incorporated into decorative arts, such as ceramics and lacquerware
• The use of the "Four Gracious Plants" (사군자, Sagunja) in art symbolized Confucian virtues
  • Plum blossom (매화, Maehwa) represented resilience and purity
  • Orchid (난초, Nancho) symbolized refinement and nobility
  • Chrysanthemum (국화, Gukhwa) represented integrity and humility
  • Bamboo (대나무, Daenamu) signified flexibility and perseverance
• Confucian influence on color symbolism in art, with colors like red and blue representing yang (positive) and yin (negative) elements, respectively

Influence on Literature and Poetry

• Confucian classics, such as the Analects (논어, Noneo) and the Mencius (맹자, Maengja), became the foundation for Korean literary education
• Korean scholars produced commentaries and interpretations of Confucian texts, contributing to the development of Korean Confucianism
• Confucian themes of loyalty, filial piety, and moral cultivation were prevalent in Korean literature
• The Sijo (시조), a Korean poetic form, often explored Confucian ideas and values
  • Sijo poems frequently dealt with themes of nature, human relationships, and moral reflection
• The Gasa (가사), another Korean poetic form, often served as a vehicle for Confucian didacticism and social commentary
• Confucian influence on the development of Korean prose, such as the Hunmin Jeongeum (훈민정음), a treatise on the Korean alphabet by King Sejong

Confucian Elements in Architecture

• Confucian principles of hierarchy, symmetry, and harmony influenced Korean architectural design
• The layout of palaces and government buildings reflected Confucian ideas of social order and the relationship between the ruler and the ruled
  • The Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul is a prime example of Confucian-influenced architecture
• Confucian academies (서원, Seowon) were built as centers of learning and scholarship
  • These academies typically featured a main hall for lectures and ceremonies, as well as dormitories and libraries
• Confucian shrines and temples were constructed to honor Confucius and other Confucian sages
  • The Munmyo (문묘) in Seoul is the main Confucian shrine in South Korea
• The arrangement of ancestral shrines and burial sites reflected Confucian ideas of filial piety and ancestor veneration
• Confucian influence on the design of traditional Korean houses (한옥, Hanok), with separate quarters for men and women and a focus on harmony with nature

Rituals and Ceremonies

• Confucian rituals and ceremonies played a significant role in Korean society, reinforcing social hierarchy and moral values
• The Jongmyo Daeje (종묘대제), a royal ancestral ritual held at the Jongmyo Shrine, was one of the most important Confucian ceremonies in Korea
  • The ritual involved offerings, music, and dance to honor the ancestors of the ruling dynasty
• The Seokjeon Daeje (석전대제), a ceremony held at the Munmyo Shrine, paid homage to Confucius and his disciples
• Family rituals, such as the coming-of-age ceremony (관례, Gwallye) and wedding ceremonies, were influenced by Confucian principles
• Ancestral rites (제사, Jesa) were performed regularly to show respect and veneration for deceased family members
  • These rites included offerings of food, drink, and incense at the ancestral shrine or grave
• The tea ceremony (다도, Dado) was influenced by Confucian ideas of harmony, respect, and self-cultivation
• Confucian rituals and ceremonies served as a means of social education, reinforcing moral values and social norms

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• Confucianism continues to shape Korean culture and society, despite the influence of modernization and Western values
• Confucian values of education, hard work, and respect for authority remain deeply ingrained in Korean society
• The emphasis on family ties and filial piety continues to be a central aspect of Korean culture
• Confucian influence on modern Korean business practices, with a focus on hierarchy, loyalty, and consensus-building
• The resurgence of interest in Confucian philosophy and its application to contemporary issues, such as environmental ethics and social welfare
• Confucian ideas have been reinterpreted and adapted to address the challenges of modern society
  • The concept of "Confucian democracy" has been proposed as a way to reconcile Confucian values with democratic principles
• Confucian influence on the Korean education system, with a strong emphasis on academic achievement and moral character development
• The preservation and promotion of Confucian heritage through cultural institutions, such as the Confucian Cultural Center in Andong