The Korean nation with a 5,000-year-long history has a lot of cultural heritages evoking the admiration of the world people. One of them is Tanchong. Tanchong means paintings or patterns drawn on pillars, rafters, walls and ceilings in different colors to decorate the buildings gorgeously. Originally, the Korean ancestors applied mineral paints to the wooden structures in order to keep them from rotting by wind and rain or being moth-eaten. Later, Tanchong was developed into an element decorating the buildings. Doctor and Associate Professor Jo Hwi Nam, Section Chief of the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, says: "Tanchong had long been used in the architecture of our country. It has diverse kinds and perfect system of techniques. It is largely divided into luxurious, common and simple paintings according to the formation of the patterns. The common painting was most widely used. It was applied to all buildings as it was neither too simple nor complicated." Patterns were also diverse. The lotus, Punic apple and mud-snail patterns were most commonly used. Sometimes, tens of kinds of patterns were used to finish a building with paintings. Long ago, the wise Korean ancestors regarded Tanchong as an important decorative element in wood architecture and developed it into a diverse and elegant means of decoration with an integral system of formation, pattern arrangement and color harmony. Jo Hwi Nam says: "Until the 16th century the pillars were usually painted red and the brackets and ceilings green. Such technique had been applied since the time of the Koryo Dynasty. From the 17th century different other colors were applied and patterns arranged more delicately for splendid decoration. Yellowish brown color, that is, orange colour was much more used to make the buildings much brighter. Techniques became more diverse along with the alternate use of warm and cold colors. But the principle of painting the upper part green and the lower part red has been invariably inherited." The beautiful and elegant Tanchong with a long history has become a precious cultural wealth of the nation thanks to the policy on preserving the national cultural heritages of the country. It is wonderfully carried forward and developed, further enriching its content and style according to the demand of the times and the desire of the people.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
Dwelling houses were wonderfully built at Sinyang Farm in Myonggan County of North Hamgyong Province. A meeting for removal into
November 23, 2025
Dwelling houses were wonderfully built at Sinyang Farm in Myonggan County of North Hamgyong Province. A meeting for removal into
The Sunchon Cement Complex is expanding its success. Tens of thousand tons of cement have been produced more than planned as of
November 23, 2025
The Sunchon Cement Complex is expanding its success. Tens of thousand tons of cement have been produced more than planned as of
The rural housing construction is making progress this year, too, along with the grand construction projects to build entities
November 23, 2025
The rural housing construction is making progress this year, too, along with the grand construction projects to build entities
The Township Farm in Janggang County of Jagang Province and the Chaeryon Farm in Phanmun District of Kaesong Municipality have
November 23, 2025
The Township Farm in Janggang County of Jagang Province and the Chaeryon Farm in Phanmun District of Kaesong Municipality have
The Natural Energy Institute under the State Academy of Sciences are achieving successes in research. Researchers in the field of
November 23, 2025
The Natural Energy Institute under the State Academy of Sciences are achieving successes in research. Researchers in the field of
This year, many young people across the Democratic People's Republic of Korea volunteered to work at major worksites of socialist
November 23, 2025
This year, many young people across the Democratic People's Republic of Korea volunteered to work at major worksites of socialist
These days, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea attaches the greatest importance to education and regards it as its goal to
November 23, 2025
These days, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea attaches the greatest importance to education and regards it as its goal to
There is the Central Zoo at the foot of the picturesque Mt. Taesong in the capital city of Pyongyang. It has a sturgeon pond
November 23, 2025
There is the Central Zoo at the foot of the picturesque Mt. Taesong in the capital city of Pyongyang. It has a sturgeon pond
The field of mining industry has finished the readjustment and reinforcement planned this year in the main and registered higher
November 22, 2025
The field of mining industry has finished the readjustment and reinforcement planned this year in the main and registered higher
North Hwanghae Province is consistently pushing ahead with the work to create the forest of economic value. The province
November 22, 2025
North Hwanghae Province is consistently pushing ahead with the work to create the forest of economic value. The province
The secondary general education is very important in the education system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a stage
November 22, 2025
The secondary general education is very important in the education system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a stage
Wonderful socialist villages, which are efflorescing and developing day by day, have been built in Ryanggang Province at the
November 22, 2025
Wonderful socialist villages, which are efflorescing and developing day by day, have been built in Ryanggang Province at the
An educational experimental apparatus and teaching aids invention exhibition was held in South Phyongan Province. Present there
November 22, 2025
An educational experimental apparatus and teaching aids invention exhibition was held in South Phyongan Province. Present there
A working delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, left
November 22, 2025
A working delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, left
There is the Sci-Tech Complex called a great temple of learning for all the people on the Ssuk Islet in the capital city of
November 22, 2025
There is the Sci-Tech Complex called a great temple of learning for all the people on the Ssuk Islet in the capital city of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a significant speech at the inaugural ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station. He
November 21, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a significant speech at the inaugural ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station. He
An inaugural ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was held with splendour in Kangwon Province on November 20. The
November 21, 2025
An inaugural ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was held with splendour in Kangwon Province on November 20. The
An event was held at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District on the 20th on the occasion of the Child Health Day. Present
November 21, 2025
An event was held at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District on the 20th on the occasion of the Child Health Day. Present
Dairy products and other nourishing foods are provided to the children every day in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. All
November 21, 2025
Dairy products and other nourishing foods are provided to the children every day in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. All
Meetings were held in the provinces (cities and counties) and at the Cabinet, ministries and national agencies to commemorate the
November 21, 2025
Meetings were held in the provinces (cities and counties) and at the Cabinet, ministries and national agencies to commemorate the
More Articles