Minhwa: A Korean Adoptee Making Mystical Korean Folk Art
As a young girl I often felt a disconnect between the image I had in my mind of who I was, and the face I saw reflected in the mirror. I always knew I was adopted— I look nothing like my mum who was born in England and moved to Australia as a young girl. I didn’t grow up with Korean customs or traditions at home but have learned about Asian cultures just by looking Asian —by being seen and accepted as one in social spaces, by friends, and in workplaces.
I have visited Korea several times as a tourist, and exploring the country has become more accessible over the years thanks to the global rise of K-pop and K-drama’s. What once felt distant and unfamiliar is now easy to discover, it’s interesting to learn about Korean culture, history and traditions, but it wasn’t until I stumbled across Minhwa that I felt a deep connection. A calling. I was drawn to the simple colourful paintings, it felt so very similar to my own work, the imperfect images of animals and nature. I began to play with my symbols aligning intentions and offering them through each artwork.
What is Minhwa?
Minhwa (민화, meaning “painting of the people”) is a vivid, symbolic, and deeply expressive form of Korean folk art that flourished during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Unlike court art, which was refined and formal, Minhwa was created by and for ordinary people. It’s unpolished, whimsical, sometimes naive—and always deeply human.
Minhwa emerged from a class of anonymous artists—often self-taught and from lower social ranks—who infused their works with bold colour, humour, hope, and spiritual intention. These paintings weren't simply decorative; they were believed to offer protection, attract good fortune, and reflect the desires and dreams of everyday people.
Minhwa gave even the poorest households a way to adorn their walls, celebrate life’s milestones, or express beliefs that couldn’t be voiced in more elite settings.
It’s mystical without being exclusive, it’s for everyone.
Minhwa carries traces of shamanism, Buddhism, and animism—spiritual traditions older and more intuitive than rigid religion. It reflects joy, ritual, protection, humour, and human longing.
Symbolism and Spirit
What I connect with most in the work of Minhwa is the magic and the language of symbols. Every flower, animal, and object carries meaning—these aren’t just illustrations, they are talisman, magical charms, expressions of what people long for.
Some common original Minhwa themes:
Tigers, often painted with exaggerated or comic expressions, represented protection and power—yet also subtly mocked authority.
Magpies, chirping near tigers, symbolized good news and joy.
Peonies stood for prosperity, beauty, and high status.
Dragons were powerful guardians and symbols of divine energy.
Books and stationery, found in chaekgeori still-life paintings, reflected a deep reverence for knowledge and ambition.
More Than Art—It’s a Living Ritual
Minhwa paintings were often made for specific moments: births, weddings, new seasons, or as everyday acts of love. They hung in homes to protect children, bless new beginnings, or simply lift the mood. Some were used in gut, Korea’s traditional shamanic ceremonies, inviting good spirits or banishing misfortune.
My Symbols
· Bird- Wisdom, knowledge, and intuition
· Flowers/ Plants- Abundance, good health, fertility
· Fire- Protection, Discipline, transformation and healing
· Crystal/ Rock- Purity, longevity, long life, happiness, balance
· Snake- Inspiration, flow state, enthusiasm, creative energy
· Leopard- The Universal Creative force, intuition, mystery
· Mandala- Cycles of life, beauty, new possibilities
· Fox- Darkness, Shadow work, truth and acceptance
Minhwa aren’t meant for galleries. They were made to live with—to be part of the kitchen wall, a quiet corner, a family’s everyday view.
Today we live in a time in history where science is beginning to tell us that there is more. That which we cannot see/hear/smell/touch with our senses. Life force energy - “The Universal Creative Force” is woven through each of my Minwha works. Modern day Minwhwa artists such as myself are still creating these works. Healing, protection and intentions are inside the creation of each symbol giving these works their power. Minhwa works bring transformation to the people and into the spaces where these magical works are hung.
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