Fortified cities and three separate kingdoms were founded by indigenous peoples in what would later become Korea. Silla, Baekie, and Koguryo were the names of the three kingdoms. The Baekje lived south of the Korean Peninsula, while the Koguryo ruled the north. On the other hand, the Silla monarchy was unrivaled in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. However, the peninsula’s southern tip was home to the Kaya Empire. Political and modernization upheavals have resulted in numerous changes in these three kingdoms. Still, old concepts and beliefs, such as those centered on family, communal harmony, obedience to authority, and heritage, continue profoundly impacting Korean culture today.
History
Goguryeo Kingdom
Goguryeo was the first of three nations to declare itself as an independent nation-state before the other two states. After achieving victory against the Chinese commanderies located to the north in the first century, it continued to extend its borders in the third and second centuries (Sohn, 2019). The Goguryeo Kingdom was embroiled in a never-ending war with the Baekje Dynasty and the Silla Dynasty. This kingdom was at the height of its power during the fifth and sixth centuries and had some great architectural works and tombs that illustrated the depth of its cultural heritage. In addition, it was the most technologically sophisticated of the Three Kingdoms. In the end, the armies of Tang and Silla were victorious and annihilated Goguryeo. However, the Goguryeo Kingdom will be remembered since it governed for several centuries; the current day, this kingdom is part of China.
Baekje Kingdom
Onjo, also credited with founding the Goguryeo Empire, is said to have been responsible for establishing the Baekje Kingdom. The title “Baekje” indicates that one has authority over one hundred people (Sohn, 2019). The Baekje Kingdom was well-known for its abundant culture, which was influenced heavily by the Japanese settlements in the area. After some time, the kingdom was destroyed by the combined efforts of the Silla and the Tang armies, who had established an association. After the Silla Empire absorbed it, it ceased to exist as a separate entity.
Silla Empire
It is believed that Hyokkose founded the Silla Kingdom, which had Geumseong as its capital city and was named after him. The Kim dynasty, the Park dynasty, and the Seok dynasty are all dynasties that formerly ruled this region. The Kim family has maintained its hold on power for the longest time. The political structure was consolidated, and several different social institutions accompanied it. It was possible to gauge the success of this empire by the number of gold crowns it generated (Sohn, 2019). Additionally, the success of this empire may be attributed to its alliance with the Tang Reign, which resulted in the formation of a more powerful army. They successfully defeated the other kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula and continued to reign as a united empire for three centuries.
The Three Kingdoms Art and Architecture
Ancient Koreans had a distinct aesthetic sense when it came to the architecture of their buildings. Palaces and temples, for instance, featured roofs made of tiles that sloped upward and outward at the extremities of the structures. They are primarily concerned with developing harmony between the built and the natural (Sohn, 2019). The architecture of the Goguryeo tombs is stunning, with features like octagonal supports and stone doors that rotate on pivot points. Although Koreans were skilled in architecture, it is regrettable that very few buildings from this period still stand today.
The Baekje, the Silla, and the Kaya were all skilled craftsmen who worked with stone. The stonewares made various things, including bowls, carvings, boats, and cups of various animals. Moreover, they produced ceramics embellished with clay particles (Sohn, 2019). In addition, the walls of the Goguryeo tombs were exquisitely decorated with representations of humans, animals, and other people. In addition, excellent craftsmanship was used to make a variety of jewelry as well as crowns made of gold. Architecture and the arts produced by the Koreans were on a completely different level from those produced by other empires simultaneously.
The Korean Americans
The population of Korean Americans in the United States is one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the country. According to Batalova & O’Connor (2019), by 2010, their total population was close to 1.41 million. The majority of immigrants have made their homes in the state of California. The majority of Korean Americans’ cultural traditions, such as Korean cuisine, Buddhism, religious practices, and cultural events, have been preserved thanks to the efforts of Korean Americans. These rituals illustrate the depth of Korean culture as well as the value of the culture to successive generations.
Cultural Context
Buddhism was the official state religion of all of the ancient Korean dynasties. Monks from China took this faith with them when they traveled to Korea. In subsequent times, it was adopted as the state religion of all three empires. Buddhism encouraged the adoration of several different things and meditation on several topics. People worshiped and offered prayers to natural features like mountains and trees because they thought heaven and earth connected via these things (Kim & Connolly, 2021). They worshiped various deities, including those associated with animals and aquatic bodies. When people were confronted with difficult conditions, such as drought, they would perform religious rites. These rites include the offering of sacrifices as a way to please the gods. Consequently, Buddhism was a crucial factor in its development. Because collectivism is at the heart of Korean culture, most Koreans prefer to collaborate on projects as part of a team. They prioritize what they can do as a group and place a high value on everyone’s input rather than concentrating on what an individual can accomplish by themselves. On the other hand, the implementation of contemporary educational methods has impacted the culture (Brossoie et al., 2022). As learners gain more enlightenment and information, they tend to become more individualistic. The immigration of people from other countries and places with distinct norms and standards of living has also impacted Korean culture. For instance, modern-day Korean Americans brought the collectivist values of their homeland with them when they immigrated to the United States. However, as they blended in with other groups, they began to embrace a hybrid of collectivism and individualism philosophy. Despite the impact of industrialization and modernity on Korean society, this distinctive facet of Korean culture has persisted.
Sex and Gender Roles
During the time of the three kingdoms, men and women were expected to fulfill very different responsibilities. While males can operate in public domains such as farmers, artisans, bureaucrats, and merchants, women are only allowed to do domestic duties. The Korean family hierarchy was organized so that it favored male patriarchy. This was because males were more likely to be the breadwinners. Women were required to continue to behave in a subservient manner by showing obedience to their husbands, dads, and sons (Kim & Connolly, 2021). Except for the gisaeng and the mudang, women were forbidden to appear. The gisaeng were an exclusive group of women known for their exceptional dance abilities and who enjoyed a life of privilege. They could make an appearance in public to amuse the magistrates and judges. The mudangs were women who practiced shamanism, yet they were considered to be of the same social standing as the gisaeng. In ancient Korean culture, women and men had the same value. They could inherit property and interact socially with others on their terms.
Acculturation
To successfully assimilate into Korean society, individuals need to focus on religion, social stratification, and the importance of the family. For instance, Korean people often plan their weddings, and divorces are uncommon. The two official religions of Korea are Buddhism and Christianity; however, the country is open to all forms of religious practice. The extent of a person’s wealth and degree of education are two factors that influence their social position. Migrants are responsible for internalizing the norms and principles that guide the behavior of the Korean people. One of the methods that may be used to do this is to mentally adjust oneself to the surroundings of the host (Bency & Gopal, 2017). Individuals should also be open to learning new beliefs and behaviors, even if they feel as if the ones they now hold are archaic.
Conclusion
The history of Korea began when people from several tribes across the Korean Peninsula started establishing settlements. The Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje empires are the three kingdoms that came into existence when they eventually split apart and founded their kingdoms. Very specific laws and ordinances governed these empires. In addition, women and men each had well-defined roles in society. Additionally, the principles of Buddhism were used as the foundation for their religious activities. The essence of the Korean people may be understood via these and many other cultural traditions.
References
Brossoie, N., Hwang, E., Song, K., Jeong, J. W., & Young-Woo, K. (2022). Assessing Age-Friendliness: Individualistic vs. Collectivistic Cultures. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 34(2), 311-334.
Batalova, J. & O’Connor, A. (2019). Korean immigrants in the United States. Migrationpolicy.Org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/korean-immigrants-united-states.
Bency, J. & Gopal, B. (2017). A review on Acculturation and Adaptation strategies of migrants. International Research Journal Of Commerce Arts And Science, 8(11), 131-138. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321718656_A_review_on_Acculturation_and_Adaptation_strategies_of_migrants.
Sohn, H. M. (2019). Korean. Routledge.
Kim, A. E., & Connolly, D. (2021). Building the Nation: The Success and Crisis of Korean Civil Religion. Religions 12: 66.
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