Names of Korea - Sobriquets For Korea

Sobriquets For Korea

In traditional Korean culture, as well as in the cultural tradition of East Asia, the land of Korea has assumed a number of sobriquets over the centuries, including:

• 계림 (鷄林) Gyerim, "Rooster Forest", in reference to an early name for Silla.
• 군자지국 (君子之國) Gunjaji-guk, or "Land of Scholarly Gentlemen".
• 금수강산 (錦繡江山) Geumsu gangsan, "Land of Embroidered (or Splendid) Rivers and Mountains".
• 단국 (檀國) Danguk, "Country of Dangun".
• 대동 (大東) Daedong, "Great East".
• 동국 (東國) Dongguk, "Eastern Country".
• 동방 (東邦) Dongbang, literally "an eastern country" referring to Korea.
• 동방예의지국 (東方禮義之國, 東方禮儀之國) Dongbang yeuiji-guk, "Eastern Country of Courtesy".
• 동이 (東夷) Dong-yi, or "Eastern Foreigners".
• 동토 (東土) Dongto, "Eastern Land".
• 배달 (倍達) Baedal, an ancient reference to Korea.
• 백의민족 (白衣民族) Baeguiminjok, "The white-clad people".
• 삼천리 (三千里) Three-thousand Li, a reference to the length traditionally attributed to the country from its northern to southern tips.
• 소화 (小華) Sohwa, "Lesser Flower" or "Little China" was used by the Joseon Court. It is nowadays considered degrading and is not used.
• 아사달 (阿斯達) Asadal, apparently an Old Korean term for Joseon.
• 청구 (靑丘) Cheonggu, or "Blue Hills".
• 팔도강산 (八道江山) Paldo gangsan, "Rivers and Mountains of the Eight Provinces", referring to the traditional eight provinces of Korea.
• 해동 (海東) Haedong, "East of the Sea" (here being the West Sea separating China from Korea).
• 해동성국 (海東盛國) Haedong seongguk, literally "Flourishing Eastern Sea Country", historically refers to Balhae Kingdom of North-South period.