38 Comments
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Aria Vink's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

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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Doug Jonas's avatar

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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Neil Barker's avatar

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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Michael's avatar

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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Neil Barker's avatar

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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Cori Bren's avatar

This brilliance interrupts my winter landscape

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Cori and glad to hear it helps!

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Juliet and much appreciated.

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James Freitas's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

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

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Joni B's avatar

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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Neil Barker's avatar

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

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Scot Quaranda's avatar

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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Neil Barker's avatar

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

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MK Creel's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks MK CREEL and much appreciated.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

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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Neil Barker's avatar

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

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Take A Breath With Ruth's avatar

That little cooper hawk’s face…

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Neil Barker's avatar

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

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Louise's avatar

Such a thoughtful look

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Neil Barker's avatar

Agreed Louise.

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Nathaniel Bowler's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Nathaniel and much appreciated!

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Trish Keene's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

You're welcome Trish and happy to share.

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Beverley Dickson's avatar

Gorgeous post Neil; such colourful expression

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thank you Beverley and much appreciated.

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Lindsay Hartley's avatar

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

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Neil Barker's avatar

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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Robin Motzer's avatar

Tweet! I'm a colorist. Spectacular! XX

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Robin!

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