Korea · Three Kingdoms onward (57 BCE–)
오방색
Obangsaek · Obangsaek Five Directions
The five cardinal colors representing the directions, elements, and cosmic order in Korean tradition.
In Practice
The palette, applied.
Three mock compositions built only from the colors above — a designer’s proof that cultural palettes translate into production surfaces.
Editorial · Poster
Center White grounds the field while South Red carries the display voice — a pairing built for titling weight.
Product · Packaging
South Red takes the front face; Center Yellow returns as a narrow band — a tested retail hierarchy.
Digital · Interface
Center White canvas, North Black type, South Red call-to-action — WCAG-legible contrast without leaving the palette.
Give your design a meaningful narrative — not just a color, but the reason it belongs.
The colors
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청
Cheong · East Blue
Blue of the east, associated with wood, spring, and the azure dragon.
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적
Jeok · South Red
Red of the south, linked to fire, summer, and the vermillion bird.
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백
Baek · Center White
Off-white of the west and metal, the hue most worn by Joseon commoners.
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흑
Heuk · North Black
Black of the north, water, winter, and the black tortoise-snake.
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황
Hwang · Center Yellow
Yellow of the center and earth, reserved for the king as sovereign of all directions.