38 Comments

Do you use Obangsaek in your own life? Like in your house for instance?

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Hi, Aria. I haven't used obangsaek consciously in my apartment, my wife and I mostly have furniture and things that are shades of black and white. We do have some small decorative items that are shades of blues and reds though.

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Fascinating, that cultural differences like this can 'color' and change the ways in which we see and experience our surroundings. I really like how you organized and displayed your images in this piece. Very thought-provoking.

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Thanks Doug. Yeah, this is one of those things that seems to run in the background of daily life that I notice when I consciously focus on it. Interesting to see it in Nature as once you notice it, you almost can't unsee it if that makes sense.

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Very fine essay! Obangsaek shows up over and over in Korea and has echoes outside that country as in the five-color systems of Native American tribes.

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Thanks Michael and you are definitely right about obangsaek appearing all over Korea! Especially in the temples! Interesting too with the same concept of colours with Native American tribes.

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This brilliance interrupts my winter landscape

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Thanks Cori and glad to hear it helps!

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Very interesting! I like how you've arranged your photos.

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Thanks Juliet and much appreciated.

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Beautiful photos. I had never heard of obangsaek. This provided a perfect introduction

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Thanks James. I may do more posts in the future on this and see where it leads me.

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I like the photos you selected to represent each color, especially the too often maligned skunk :-) I also appreciate the correlation of colors with the five elements of Daoism. Thank you!

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Thanks Joni and much appreciated! The correlation and influence from Daoism is most as well.

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Oh how I love this! What a delight to assign colors to the four directions and the center and see how those open up in the world and add meaning and richness. Thank you for sharing this.

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Thanks Scot and much appreciated! I'm thinking of posting more like this in the future. Happy to share.

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So beautiful. I always appreciate your introductions to Korean language, meaning, and tradition.

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Thanks MK CREEL and much appreciated.

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Amazing post, Neil. I've learned a lot here. The photography is beautiful and really expressive of the message that starts in the sijo.

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Thanks Heidi and much appreciated. I'm planning on writing more on this theme and see where it leads.

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That little cooper hawk’s face…

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Thanks Ruth, that's one of my favourite photos I've ever taken. :)

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Such a thoughtful look

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Agreed Louise.

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Maybe my favorite one yet. Clever way to use your photos and create a learning moment for your readers.

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Thanks Nathaniel and much appreciated!

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This has widened and deepened my own world. Arigato gozaimasu.

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You're welcome Trish and happy to share.

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Gorgeous post Neil; such colourful expression

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Thank you Beverley and much appreciated.

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Love this. Thanks for the introduction to the concept, and all the beautiful pics.

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Thanks Lindsay and happy to share. I'm planning on writing more on this theme and see where it takes me.

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Tweet! I'm a colorist. Spectacular! XX

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Thanks Robin!

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