Taegeuk History

The Taegeuk diagram has been existent for the majority of written Korean history.
[6] The origins of the interlocking-sinusoid design in Korea can be traced to as
early as the Goguryeo or Silla period, e.g. in the decoration of a sword, dated to
the 5th or 6th century, recovered from the grave of Michu of Silla,[7] or an
artifact with the taegeuk pattern of similar age found in the Bogam-ri tombs of
Baekje at Naju, South Jeolla Province in 2008.[8][9] In the compound of Gameunsa, a
temple built in AD 628 during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla, a stone object,
perhaps the foundation of a pagoda, is carved with the taegeuk design.[3][10]

In Gojoseon, the ancient kingdom of Joseon, the design was used to express the hope
for harmony of yin and yang.[3][11] It is likely due to the earliest spread of
ancient Chinese culture in Gojoseon, especially during the early Zhou dynasty.[12]

Today the TaeGeuk is usually associated with Korean tradition and represents
balance in the universe, as mentioned in the previous section (red = 양; yang, or
positive cosmic forces, and blue = 음; yin, or negative cosmic forces). Among its
many religious connotations (Korean Confucianism; Taoism in Korea; Korean
Buddhism), the taeguk is also present in Korean shamanism.[4][5]