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Asian Art Museum
Course: Asian Art Museum > Unit 6
Lesson 1: Korea- Introduction to Korea
- Vessel in the shape of a duck
- Introduction to Korean Buddhism
- Guardian King of the West
- Guardian King of the West (Gwangmok cheonwang)
- The Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
- Ewer with lid
- Reviving traditional Korean celadons
- The Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
- Moon jar
- Jar with tiger and magpie
- Nine Cloud Dream
- Confucian scholar's house
- Royal palaces of Seoul
- Making mother-of-pearl lacquerware
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Moon jar
This type of globular porcelain jar is known as a moon jar (dal hang-ari). Its white color suggests the Confucian virtues of purity, honesty, and modesty, and the form was thought to represent the fertility and embracing, gentle qualities of women.
Although porcelain wares were produced concurrently with celadons during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), not until the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) did they come into prominence. From about 1600 on, porcelain definitely came to dominate the field of Korean ceramics because the preference for the color white dominated Korean aesthetics throughout the Joseon dynasty.
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why did they base it on women?(2 votes)
Many believed that women are connected to what is called "the divine feminine", we are symbolic for health, maternity, and fertility. "Mother Earth", Deities, Goddesses, etc. are all examples of how we impacted religious symbology. The Moon Jar is representing the gift of woman, and their kind and gentle aspects.(2 votes)
Why is it translated to 'Moon Jar' when it actually is called 'Baekja' meaning white jar?(2 votes)
Many things not originally intended to have "moon" associations acquire them. Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", for example. Ludwig didn't have the moon or its light in mind when he wrote it.(3 votes)
within the whole document, why is it called the moon jar, and what is it's major significance in korean culture? Is it just because of its pearly color, or more?(2 votes)- I don't know about Korean symbolism, but the moon has long been associated with the feminine in many cultures.(3 votes)
do they drink from the moon jar?(1 vote)- If there is a will, there is a way. But I doubt that they do but I mean, you never know.(1 vote)
What was the moon jar used for?(0 votes)
The name comes from its shape and milky color of the glaze to remind of full moon and were used for storing rice, soy sauce, alcohol and sometimes displaying flowers. The pure simplicity of the jar has inspired the work of modern artists including British ceramicists Bernard Leach and Lucie Rie as well as contemporary Korean photographer, Koo Bohnchang and painter Kim Whanki.(3 votes)