KOREAN COLLECTIONS IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 483 



Military badge — Continued. 



which confers iimiioitality n\H)n its jiossessor. At the base of tlio s<iuaie are 

 overlapping circles representing' waves, often seen at the bases of Japanese and 

 Korean vases and on money typical of circulation. These waves dash against 

 the living rock. In tlic midst of the waters stands a rock covered with immor- 

 tal grass and bearing a "Buddhist cross" or swastika. Worn by civil officers 

 of the lower house. One of the squares is attached to the front and one to the 

 back of the officer's robe. 



GOVERNMENT AND LAW. 



Officer's baton (Duug-cha). Kod covered with .shagreen bound 

 with .silver ferules; the part held in the hand covered with wash 

 leather, A tie of blue woolen fabric with a loop for the wrist and 

 pendants of light blue silk are attached to the baton. 



Length, 30 inches. 



Seoul, Korea. 1.51171 



Collected by W. W. Kockliill. 



Carried only witli full dress uniform. In old times the baton was made of 

 ba-mboo, to which was attached thongs of leather, serving in l)attle as a whip 

 and also used as a drinking tube. It is only displayed for ornament at the 

 present. 



Korean national flag (Gook-gi). White silk, with the national 

 symbol (ta-guk), two comma-shaped spirals filling a circle in red 

 and blue, and four geomantic signs (pal-qua) at the four corners of 

 the flag. 



Length, 14 inches; width, 21 inches, 



Seoul, Korea, 1884. 1.51638 



Collected by P. L. Jouy. 



This flag was adopted in 1881. 



Button for soldier's hat (Gui don). White soapstoiie, circular; 

 carved on one surface with the national symbol. 



Seoul, Korea, 1884. 151629 



Collected by P. L. Jouy. 



For decorating the hat of the common soldier. 



Peacock feather ornament (Koug-tjaug-mi). Bunch of feathers 

 arranged in fan shape and inclosed in a lead swivel button pierced 

 for suspension. 



Length, 8 inches. 



Seoul, Korea, 1885. 77036 



Collected by Ensign J. B. Bernadou, U, S. Navy. 



The peacock feather in Korea and China is a sign of official rank or promotion. 

 This ornament is worn by military officers and by soldiers of certain guards 

 near the Kintc. 



