Imperial Seal of Korea

Imperial Emblem of Korea
Imperial Emblem of Korea
Armiger	Emperor of Korea
Adopted	1903

Imperial Seal of Korea
Imperial Seal of Korea
Armiger	House of Yi

The Imperial Seal of Korea or Ihwamun (Korean: 이화문; Hanja: 李花紋) was one of the symbols of the Korean Empire. It was originally the emblem of the royal family and was subsequently used for the coat of arms of the short-lived empire. The symbol features a plum blossom (Korean: 이화; Hanja: 李花; RR: Ihwa; MR: Ihwa), also known as Maehwa, which signals the beginning of spring in Korea.^[1] Plum blossom was taken to symbolize courage in the face of hardship, especially in something so physically delicate, and has been long admired by the Korean and Chinese literature.^[2] As the Plum tree blossoms between two seasons, it is also seen as a symbol of spring - bringing warmth, transition and the promise of fruitfulness.^[3]

Since ancient times, plum blossom has been filled with meaning and mystery. Plum blossoms bloom at the end of the winter, and because of this, they are called the herald of spring. They also symbolize perseverance because of how they can possibly bloom during the cold winter. Since they are considered the first flower of the year, they also represent purity and renewal. Plum flowers have five petals which are believed to carry 5 different blessings such as: wealth, health, virtue, peaceful and natural death.^[4]

The Imperial Seal of Korea first represented the Jeonju Yi clan. The symbol came into play as one of the royal symbols when the King Taejo of Joseon ascended the throne in a coup d'etat against King U of Goryeo. In 1897, King Gojong declared the Korean Empire and made the clan symbol the Imperial Seal of Korea. Today, the seal is used as a symbol of the Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association, a royal family association of the House of Yi, which was the royal family of Joseon dynasty and the imperial family of the Korean Empire.

Seat at Seokjojeon Hall, Deoksugung in Seoul
½ jeon coin of the Korean Empire (1909)

References

^ "When spring blooms in Korea". Korea.net. Archived from the original on 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
^ Kim, Sunglim (2018). Flowering plums and curio cabinets: the culture of objects in late Chosŏn Korean art. Korean studies of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Seattle: University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-0-295-74341-7.
^ "Every Plum tree has a story..." The Present Tree. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
^ "Plum Blossoms, its Symbolism and Meanings". Lotus Fun. Retrieved 2023-05-19.