Korean Art, History and Culture — The Ten Symbols of Longevity (십장생'十長生')
십장생도(十長生圖) is a painting depicting ten symbols traditionally associated with longevity in Korean culture. The ten symbols are:
The sun (태양/해), a constant source of light
The mountain (산), with its (seemingly) never changing shape
Water (물), which is associated with flexibility in Taoist philosophy
Stone (돌), which are some of the hardest and most enduring things in nature (this one is sometimes replaced with bamboo 대나무)
Clouds (구름) or the moon (달), infinitely changeable
Pine Trees (소나무), as some species of pine trees live for centuries
The herb of eternal youth (불로초), an imaginary herb believed to bring eternal youth
Turtles (거북) also famously live for centuries
Cranes (학): this bird is a Confucean symbol of marital fidelity and in Taoist philosphy, they are shown as accompanying the Eight Immortals (팔선), considered a sign of prosperity and longevity.
Deers (사슴), also a companion to the Eight Immortals.
On the left is 한상자(韓湘子), one of the Eight Immortals often depicted playing the flute accompagnied by a crane. On the right, the Eight Immortals are depicted on a boat as a crane floats above their heads.
Above is a picture of the Eight Immortals with a dear. This painting was created by none other than one of the most famous Korean painter of the Joseon era, Kim Hong-Do.
Peaches are also sometimes added to the list of the symbols of longevity. Here is another famous painting depicting peaches as well:
The ten symbols of longevity originated from Chinese Taoist philosophy (신선사상) and have also been widely used outside of paintings, mainly in poetry, sculptures, and on walls in ancient Goguryo tombs (고구려 고분 벽화).
Above is a depiction of the ten symbols of longevity on a chimney of the Gyeongbok Palace (경복궁). It was designated South Korea's Treasure N° 810 on January 8, 1985.
Here are a few other paintings for our viewing pleasure:
stormborns
gummygunk
tangentwithtanner
titsay
izzy806
