MinHwa Art- Korean Folk Paintings

Paintings in India are generally done on the walls of Temples which tells stories about the Gods and their ways of expunging evil. In the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India, in the Meenakshi Amman shrine,  the walls are adorned with the depiction of Goddess Meenakshi from her birth, growing up to be a mighty ruler, her conquests and the story of her wedding with Lord Sundareshwarar. In the Lord's Shrine, there are amazing paintings of the Thiruvilaiyadal (God's games with the common people) by which he delivers them from evil.

Contrastingly, MinHwa Paintings are Korean folk paintings that is done on the folded screens, furniture or on walls of the rooms of the homes of aristocrats to bring happiness, luck, prosperity, wealth, fame, offsprings and even to ward off evil spirits and way to express their wishes. Symbols denoting these from nature like the bamboo, turtle, lotus, pine tree, water, peonies and mountains are used in these paintings.  Obang or 5 main colours are generally used for these depictions. It was prevalent custom to get a painting done for important celebrations like the first birthday, wedding and the 60th birthday.

These are pictures of the MinHwa paintings from an art gallery i visited.

Pretty MinHwa Peonies in pink

Min Hwa paintings of furniture

Butterflies also form an important subject in these paintings.  Makes the seating so much beautiful!

Pretty lotus painting. My lotus drawing here.

MinHwa lotus on Porcelein too!

Tiger is another frequent character depicting Government officials. Usually, the tiger is portrayed as a silly creature! 

Tiger is never drawn as a ferocious creature in Min hwa.

Love those vivid colours in this painting of the san or mountains! Notice the storks, white and red peaches, deers, waterfall and mushrooms, symbolising longevity of life. 

Min Hwa looks good on furniture too!

The artists portrays the sacred Buddhist symbols and patterns with this one!

Furniture, painted on furniture

I loved this one!

The artist's depiction of the famous "Tiger and the Magpie" painting where the silly tiger portraying the Government official is advised by the experienced elder which is depicted by the magpie.

Mountains, Rocks, water, trees.  Sun, Moon. Yin and Yan.

I loved this cute Korean couple!

Night lights on Hanji  with Butterflies in MinHwa. How sweet is that!

Beautiful lamp shade with flowers and butterflies

Butterflies on the lamp shade. Oh so cute!

Min hwa Flowers on a chest

Paint brushes that we used to try on the Min Hwa painting

My rendering of the Min Hwa silly tiger!