GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
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Ae Gi
애기
The Korean word for baby; a name used in some of our products in reference to the gentle mildness of our formulations. -
Baekji
백지
White ritual paper used in shamanic rituals as sacred objects, offerings, or in the burning of sacred text to purify. Also used in wrapping sacrificial food or in setting up the ritual table for both personal and communal rites. -
Bangjja
방짜
A Korean type of hand-forged bronzeware with various uses ranging from daily table settings to ritual reliquary.
Image: Covered box; Goryeo dynasty (918–1392); c/o The Met Museum. -
Binu
비누
The Korean word for soap. -
Black Rice
흑미
The deep purplish black grains of Heukmi Bap (black rice) are prized for their antioxidant-rich nutrition, anti-inflammatory effects, and their beautiful color. -
Black Sesame Seed
검은 깨
This nutty seed is rich in enzymes and prized for its richly nourishing oil which has a natural affinity for the skin. -
Boricha Tea
보리차
Traditional barley tea, simply referred to as "water" in Korean households. The basis for our soap formulations. -
Buncheong
분청사기
A form of traditional Korean stoneware, with a beige-to-bluish-green tone. "In contrast to the refined elegance of Goryeo celadon, buncheong is designed to be natural, unassuming, and practical." Citation: Koehler, Robert (7 September 2015). Korean Ceramics: The Beauty of Natural Forms. Seoul Selection. -
Cannabis
대마초
Wild cannabis has a thousands-year-old folk history on the Korean Peninsula, used in communal weaving, spiritual mythology, and practical applications. Magu, the Hemp Goddess, is associated with the creation story and is known as the protector of women. -
Canola Flower
유채 꽃
A bright yellow flower, subject of many flower festivals across Asia. The oil from these flowers makes up the base of our bar soaps, and helps to create a luxurious, creamy lather. Famously, the name of the 2016 film starring Youn Yuh-Jung as a Haenyeo diver. -
Celadon
청자
A type of ceramic ware typically appearing gray-green in hue. The color of Goryeo celadon owes much to the raw materials—specifically, the presence of iron in the clay and of iron oxide, manganese oxide, and quartz particles in the glaze. -
Charcoal
숯
Sut, or wood charcoal, is believed to possess the power to keep out evil forces according to Korean folklore. Historically used in purification ceremonies, as protective talismans, and ritual gifts. -
Cypress
편백
Majestic trees that make up many "healing forests". Often used in traditional wooden bathtubs, due to the relaxing aroma released while soaking, and the wood's natural water resistance. -
Dado
차도
A Korean tea ceremony; a traditional and meditative ritual focused on mindfulness, naturalness, harmony, and connection. -
Doltap
돌탑
Doltap, or stone stacks, refer to elaborate conical cairns erected at village entrances as objects of worship believed to keep away bad fortunes and invite in the good. -
Flower Motif
꽃
Floral motifs are commonly found in historical Korean designs, symbolizing various cultural and spiritual traditions. -
Giwa Bapgi
기와밟기
Known as "Treading the Roof Tiles", Giwa Bapgi is a folk game, performed along with the ganggang sulae (a dance performed by women during the Great Full Moon Festival. It is named after the shape that the players bodies make, bent over like roof tiles to form a symbolic bridge. -
Giwa Roof Tile
기와
Traditional roof tiles made from kiln-fired clay. Giwa tiles are curved pieces that are finished with round end piece, often decorated with various motifs for good luck such as flowers or dragons. -
Green Tea
녹차
A tea with anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful to soothe skin irritation and redness. -
Haenyeo
해녀
Female divers in the Korean province of Jeju whose livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Known for their independent spirit, iron will and determination, the haenyeo are representative of the semi-matriarchal family structure of Jeju. -
Hanjeungmak
한증막
A traditional Korean kiln sauna made from stone, clay, or brick that is heated to very high temperatures using burning pine wood. -
Hanji Paper
한지
Traditional handmade paper. Hanji is made from the inner bark of Broussonetia papyrifera known as paper mulberry, a tree native to Korea. Hanji-inspired paper is used for our incense box packaging, to create a gift-like presentation. -
Hibiscus
무궁화
The beloved national flower of South Korea. -
Hydrangea Tea
수국 차
A naturally sweet tea made from mountain hydrangea; the hydrangea flowers represent grace, beauty, and gratitude. -
Incense
향
With roots in religious ritual, burning incense is widely used for aesthetic enjoyment. -
Jjimjilbang
찜질방
A Korean public bathhouse; a place of communal gathering and the collective pursuit of cleanliness and relaxation. -
Karatsu
가라쓰야키
"Korean Karatsu" is known for its unique glaze combination of a black glaze (often ferrous black) and a straw ash glaze (creating a cloudy white), resulting in a highly textured, contrast finish. [Image: Tea ceremony vessel, stoneware with ash glaze, Edo period, early 19th century] -
Konjac
곤약
The konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac), known in Korea as gonyak, is a perennial herbaceous plant with a starchy underground tuber, with many food and beauty uses. -
Lacquerware
옻칠
The traditional lacquerware of Korea known as Ottchil uses a natural varnish made from the sap of lacquer trees that is applied to surfaces such as wood, imparting an intensely beautiful, glossy smooth finish. -
Mogham
목함
A traditional Korean box, used to house gifts, cosmetics, jewelry or documents. Made of wood and often lacquered in glossy reddish tones and ornamented with brass or silver locks and hinges in symbolic shapes. -
Najeonchilgi
나전칠기
A Korean handicraft where appliqués made of mother-of-pearl are inlaid on lacquerware objects such as boxes and furniture.
Image: Stationery box decorated with peony scrolls; 18th century; The Met Museum. -
Onggi
옹기
Onggi is Korean earthenware extensively used as tableware and storage containers in Korea. It includes both unglazed earthenware, and pottery with a dark brown glaze. This glaze plays a key role in providing a waterproof surface and preventing leaks. Afterwards, a large amount sand particles are added to the body of the clay, acting as passages for air. This way, air can freely move through the pottery while any water cannot- Koreans call this action "Onggi drawing breath." -
Palgwe
팔괘
The octagon is a symbol representative of the Eight Trigrams (palgwe) or Eight Powers of the Universe: Heaven; Lake; Fire; Thunder; Wind; Water; Mountain; Earth. The circle represents the sky and the square represents the land and so the Octagon, a combination of a circle and square, represents us as a medium between the heavens and the earth. -
Persimmon
감
A bright reddish orange fruit that is enjoyed fresh, dried, or in traditional drinks such "sujeonggwa", a traditional sweet drink made from persimmons, cinnamon and ginger. A favorite gift to give, representing joy and beauty. -
Pine
솔가지
Solgaji, or pine branch, is used in Korean folk religion to chase away impurities and to cleanse a space. It's highly aromatic essential oil is often used in personal care products to impart a brisk, woody, clean scent. -
Red Bean
팥
Brilliantly colored red beans are used in various Korean snack foods and desserts. -
Red Clay
황토
Sprinkled at sacred venues related to rituals to purify and protect; the color red is believed to possess ghost-repelling powers and ensures sanctity in carrying out a ritual. A popular cosmetic clay, best suited to combination-oily skin types for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. A mainstay of many Korean saunas, with rooms made of red clay walls or filled with red clay balls to promote a sense of well-being. -
Sandalwood
백단
Known as the "cosmic tree" in Korean folklore, the heart of the creation story of Korea. Sandalwood is a class of woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and, unlike many other aromatic woods, retain their fragrance for decades. -
Sauna Egg
찜질방 달걀
A popular snack enjoyed at Korean saunas. The brown color of the egg is a result of the maillard reaction, producing a deep, nutty umami flavor. -
Sea Tangle
다시마
Bounty from the sea. Rich in minerals, seaweed is a skin-treatment staple ingredient known to nourish the skin. -
Seoye
서예
The tradition of artistic calligraphic writing. The tools used are referred to as the Four Friends of literature: paper; brush; ink; and ink stone. Ink is traditionally made from charcoal mixed with various incense herbs. -
Seshin
세신
The revelatory body scrub treatment enjoyed at the public bathhouse, with the use of an exfoliating mitt or washcloth known as an "Italy Towel", paired with a bar of soap. -
Shaman
무당
Women shamans of Korea, known as Mudang, are revered for their wisdom in matters of healing the body and mind. A calling passed down through ancestry, they represent the intergenerational connection through spiritual power, and act as a conduit from the human and the spirit worlds. -
Sujeo
수저
The Korean term for the set of eating utensils commonly used to eat Korean cuisine. The word is a portmanteau of the words sutgarak (숟가락, 'spoon') and jeotgarak (젓가락, 'chopsticks').
Image: Spoon, Goreyo Dynasty, The Met Museum -
White Hagi Ware
하기 야키
A style of pottery brought to Hagi, Japan in the 1600s, based on the artisan craft of Korean pottery techniques. Prized by tea masters for the beautifully imperfect, organic shapes and glazes with an understated elegance.