Munee

Welcome to Munee! Munee (무늬) is a Korean word for ‘pattern’. Munee is a design company that creates modern, handcrafted home products inspired by traditional Korean art. The brand is intended to be a platform that promotes Korean arts and culture through history, design, and architecture. You can expect to see photos of Munee products as well as educational content on the traditional patterns found in Korean arts and crafts. / To introduce myself, my name is Eun-Kyung Suh and I have been a textile artist and a professor for over 20 years in Minnesota. I have exhibited my textile work nationally and internationally. I created Munee in 2022 to contribute the diversity of my Korean heritage to local communities and beyond. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me! — #korean #art #munee #pattern #design #traditionalart #koreanart #handcrafted #smallbusiness #artsandcrafts

February 17, 2026, marks the Lunar New Year. Many Asian countries celebrate this holiday, each with its own unique names and traditions. In Korea, the Lunar New Year is called Seollal and is observed with a three-day holiday, primarily for family reunions and ancestral rituals. According to the Asian zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and horses have long been featured in traditional Korean arts and crafts. Cheonmado (Heavenly Horse Painting), Silla Dynasty (57 BC–AD 935) This painted birch bark panel depicts a white heavenly horse (cheonma) on a saddle mudguard flap, excavated from a Silla dynasty tomb in Gyeongju. The cheonma symbolizes a sacred animal believed to carry the deceased to the heavens. As one of the few surviving examples of Silla painting, this work is highly valued for its historical and artistic significance. Mapae (Horse Authorization Token), Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) A mapae was an official metal token issued to government officials, granting permission to requisition horses from state relay stations for official travel. The number of horses engraved indicated the bearer’s rank and authority, symbolizing state control over transportation and communication. Image source 01: www.heritage.go.kr Image source 02:www.gogung.go.kr/ #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

In traditional Korean arts and crafts, Chinese characters (hanja/한자) are frequently used for their auspicious meanings, reflecting cultural values of harmony, prosperity, longevity, and happiness. These characters often appear in ceramics, embroidery, woodwork, and metal crafts, and their usage carries symbolic wishes for good fortune and well-being. These are key Chinese characters with auspicious meaning. 福 (Bok): Good fortune, happiness, or blessings. 壽 (Su): Longevity. 喜 (Hui): Joy or double happiness (囍). 健: Good health The inclusion of Chinese characters in Korean crafts demonstrates the deep cultural exchange between Korea and China while reflecting uniquely Korean interpretations and applications.   Image source: the National Museum of Korea Image 1: Hexagonal blue-and-white porcelain Water Dropper Image 2: blue-and-white porcelain jar with Longevity and Wellness Pattern #Chinesecharacter #auspicious #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

In Korea, traditional roof tiles are called giwa. A specific type of these tiles, often referred to as gwi-myeon-wa, features grotesque or demon-like faces. These tiles are typically placed at the ends of roof ridges or eaves, serving both aesthetic and protective functions similar to gargoyles. They are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the building and its inhabitants. There is some controversy regarding the depictions on these tiles. It has long been believed that the faces represent demons, but recent research suggests that they may depict dragons. This debate highlights the rich cultural and historical significance of gwi-myeon-wa tiles in Korean heritage. Gargoyle-like roof tiles have been used in Korean architecture for centuries, from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE) through the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). They are commonly seen in temples, palaces, and important buildings. Image source: Gyeongju National Museum #koreanarts #koreanpattern #koreancrafts #munee

Munee will be at the Wayzata Art Experience this weekend (June 22, 10am-6pm and June 23, 10am-4pm) at booth #70. Come down and enjoy handcrafted Korean goods!

The three-legged crow, known as Samjogo in Korean, is a mythical creature that symbolizes the sun in East Asian mythology. This creature is often depicted in mural paintings discovered on the walls of tombs dating back to the Goguryeo Dynasty (BC 37~668). Crafted from gilt-bronze, the three-legged crow is enclosed within a circle, surrounded by a circumference adorned with a single phoenix, two dragons, and a flame pattern in the head piece (image 1: Samjogo, gilt-bronze headpiece excavated from Jinpa-ri Tomb No. 7).   The ceiling mural portrays the celestial world with the sun and moon. Within the sun, a black three-legged crow is depicted. The ancient myth of the three-legged crow refers to the immortal bird living in the sun (image 3: Celestial world, center of the main chamber, Gakjeochong Tomb, Goguryeo Dynasty).     Image source: Celestial Motifs: Ancient Tomb Murals of the Goguryeo Dynasty by the National Research institute of Cultural Heritage #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

The Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple was cast in 725 AD and is the oldest bell among three extant Buddhist bells from the Silla period (676~935 AD). At the top of the bell, there is a sound tube that is designed to help the sound resonate and is a unique structure among Korean bronze bells. A hook carved in the shape of a dragon’s head is attached to the tube and was used for hanging the bell. The dragon is featured with a large head and strong claws in a dynamic position. The body of the bell is decorated with several figures kneeling on clouds and playing traditional music instruments as well as patterns of lotus flowers and vines. This bell exhibits the remarkable carving and casting skills of the Silla period and has been well preserved for nearly 1,400 years. Image 1: The Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple Image 2: Yongnyu, which serves as a ring for hanging the bell, is carved in the shape of a dragon's head Image 3: A magnet by Munee.com   Image source www.heritage.go.kr   #Koreanbell #dragon #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

The flag of Korea known as Taegeukgi consists of three parts: a white rectangular background, the Taegeuk, a yin-yang symbol at the center and four black trigrams at each corner. Red and blue Taeguk symbolizes opposite but interconnected forces and implies harmony and balance of the universe. Each trigram represents the spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice, respectively. The second image is Denny’s Taegeukgi, which was given to Owen N. Denny (1838-1900), an American diplomatic advisor to King Gojong (reign: 1863-1907). He expressed his gratitude to Owen N. Denny by bestowing a national flag when Denny had to return to his country. It is presumed to be the oldest Taegeukgi among the remaining Taegeukgi in Korea. It had been kept by his descendants until it was donated to the National Museum of Korea in 1981.

Valentine symbol in Korea Mandarin ducks symbolize the love of devoted couples and marital harmony. For this reason, a pair of mandarin ducks are often featured in paintings, formal wedding dresses, incense burners, and bojagi (wrapping cloth) in traditional Korean art and crafts. Wood-carved mandarin ducks are given as wedding gifts and play a significant role in traditional Korean wedding ceremonies.   Image: Wood stamp with mandarin duck design Mandarin duck design on the wedding dress of royal women in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Various auspicious patterns symbolizing harmony between husband and wife, wealth, health, and fertility are represented on the red wedding dress. To learn more, visit /learn   Image source: www.nfm.go.kr   #valentine #loveandromance #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

2023, the Year of the Rabbit🐇 The rabbit is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle of animals according to the Chinese zodiac, which remains popular in many Asian countries. The rabbit is often portrayed in East Asian folklore as a mythical figure using a mortar and pestle on the moon.   Image 1: Kite Two rabbits and the herb of immortality are depicted as symbols of longevity Image 2: Paintings of Flowers and Birds with Divine Animals Both the rabbits and peony flowers in the painting are symbols of fertility, prosperity and abundance. /learn Image source: www.nfm.go.kr   #newyear #2023 #rabbit #Koreanart #Koreanpattern #Koreancrafts #munee

Happy Holidays from Munee! Each ornament pattern was inspired by the lattice pattern found in Korean Buddhist temples. The floral lattice pattern on the temple doors is considered as the essence of Buddhist art.     Buddhist art during Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) shows splendid and sophisticated styles, reflecting aristocrats’ aesthetic taste. The style of Buddhist arts became simple and modest after the 15th century as Buddhism was abandoned and Confucianism was adopted instead as the national ideology of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The doors of the sanctuary is decorated with floral patterns because it is a threshold which leads people from the mundane word into Buddha’s paradise territory.   To learn more, visit /learn   Image 2: Girimsa Temple, Korea. Flower patterned door from Daejeokgwangjeon, a hall that enshrines the Buddha of Enlightenment. Image 3: Unmunsa Temple, Korea. The façade of Daeungbojeon hall shows a flower-patterned door. Image source: www.heritage.go.kr/   #Korean #temple #Koreanart #Koreancrafts #pattern #floralpattern

The phoenix is an imaginary bird that symbolizes auspiciousness, nobility, and peace. The phoenix is called Bong-Hwang in Korean, and each of characters means a male and female, respectively. According to historic record in China, a phoenix is created by combining the shapes of various animals such as a goose, giraffe, snake, fish, mandarin duck, dragon, tiger, chicken, etc. The phoenix pattern has been featured in arts and crafts since the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE) in Korea and has become a symbol of royal family. For more information, visit /learn   Image 1: Great Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje, one of Three Kingoms This incense burner was excavated from the site of temple in Buyeo, South Korea. The lid is made in the shape of mountains and the body is wrapped with lotus. A phoenix perches at the top of mountain peaks with its wings spread open and a dragon serves as a pedestal at the bottom. Five musicians playing ancient string instruments, animals, plants, trees, rocks, and water are intricately featured, reflecting a Daoist utopia. The overall composition shows outstanding artistic sensibility and sublime beauty. https://buyeo.museum.go.kr/   Image 2: A embroidery woodblock used for the insignia of the royal uniform. www.gogung.go.kr