A Study on the Emblems of Military Uniform from the Opening of the Ports to Daehan Empire

Abstract

Since their first introduction in 1895, various emblems have been used in Western-style modern army uniforms. Carved emblems on army uniforms include stars, pear blossoms, roses of Sharon (Mugunghwa), etc., depending on the items which constituted the Army uniforms. This study explores the emblems used in Western-style army uniforms. The main contents of this study are as follow. First, a traditional emblem from the past, the Taegeuk emblem, was used in modern army uniforms. The Taegeuk emblem, which had existed without major changes since the traditional period, emerged as a national symbol of Joseon after it opened its ports to international trade, and was applied only to the army uniforms that had changed into Western style. Second, items that had been seen as emblematic since the traditional period, including roses of Sharon (Mugunghwa), pear blossoms (Ewha), arrows, and Hangeul, were made into emblems and applied to military uniforms. Especially, Mugunghwa and Ewha were symbols of the nation, and they were almost universally used in emblems of military uniforms. Third, traditional emblems were changed into western emblems, such as star and leaf emblems. Fourth, items from the West were introduced as emblems. Instead of the Korean traditional musical instruments, ancient pipes and drums, Western musical instruments symbolizing military bands were engraved as emblems.

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