Simmering fire: the bunch of wild flowers

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The bouquet of wild flowers on the dark stone is reminiscent of a pattern on the Emile bell, one of the most famous bells in Korea. The pattern of the bell shows flower stems that look like blazing fire and elves flying around in the sky. The flowers are the four cultivated plants (plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo), symbols of the true principled Korean man of honor.

(Drawn by a child in 1843)

A warrior with a spear

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The warrior stands firmly anchored on the ground. He holds the spear in his hand, his long beard is blowing in the wind and his robe is tightly tied. He looks very neat and determined. His face and body are drawn very precisely and in great detail, but his arms are sketchy and roughly executed. It looks like he's posing to be portrayed again.

(Drawn by a child in the mid-19th century)

Longing for heaven

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What's in the sky up there? Birds sitting at the top of a perch (sottae). It was believed that this was the connection between heaven and earth, on which one could send one's deepest wishes to heaven. Man could appeal to heaven and ask for redemption from the darkness and suffering of the earth. The longing of the people for heaven was so strong that they placed a high pole at the edge of every village. They hoped that their wishes would come true.

(Drawn by a child in 1898)

Man standing on the edge of a precipice

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It is difficult to see the draftsman's intent. The picture looks like a big old tree - or like a man of honor standing on the edge of a precipice with a coat blowing in the wind. Perhaps he is just thinking about how best to cope with the waves of a life that is not always easy. Or maybe he just stands there and wonders about the issues of human interaction. Or is he just lonely?

(Drawn by a child in the mid-18th century)

Traveller leaving for Seoul to take an exam

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The elderly traveler with the long beard has not yet given up hope of serving as a government official one day. He is on his way to Seoul, wearing straw shoes and a travel bag. He is just recovering from the toil of the long journey by taking a few puffs at his pipe. By the way, old man, how are you going to get to Seoul at this speed? Nevertheless, we all hope that you will pass the entrance exam.

(Drawn by a child in the early 19th century)

Between logic and illogic

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Grandfather's skullcap leans to the right, his feet to the left. And he looks us straight in the face. The transparent body reveals its entrails, but its arms are invisible. Above his head is a circle (or the sun? Or a halo?). Another circle is in the empty space at the top right. Everything is mixed up and coexists: right and left, straight lines and curves, confusion and looseness. Grandfather is caught in the tension between logic and illogic. Possibly his journey will lead him nowhere.

(Drawn by a child in the 18th century)