‘한국 고대 月象文의 성립 배경’에서는 달의 속성과 상징성, 月象文의 구성 요소와 등장 배경, 月象文의 用例에 대해 살펴보았다. 우선 달의 속성과 상징적 의미를 보면, 밤의 어둠을 은은하게 비추는 달은 음의 속성을 지닌 물 땅 여성(多産)과 밀접하게 연결되어 있고, 무한의 순환론을 상징함으로써 長生 및 不死의 의미를 지니며, 음지에서 살고 있는 민중의 삶과 밀착된 측면이 강하다. 또한 달은 해와 함께 표현함으로써 음양의 신성한 조화와 합일, 풍요와 다산을 상징하고 보름달은 전체성 완전함 풍요를, 만월로 가는 초승달은 팽창과 발전을 의미한다. 또한 달을 상징하고 이를 형상화 한 月象文의 구성 요소(圓과 초승달 모양, 두꺼비, 토끼, 계수나무 등)는 陰의 상징인 달의 이미지와 부합되고 샤머니즘과 불교적 요소, 東夷族一派의 토템을 반영하며, 천문 관측을 통한 달의 모습이 도상에 반영되는 등 여러 가지 요소가 복합적으로 작용하고 있다. 한편 月象文의 用例는 신생과 영혼 불멸, 음양의 합일 및 풍요의 의미를 함축한다. 이번 연구 내용을 토대로 하여 추후 한국과 중국의 月象文 비교, 한국 月象文의 형식 분류와 시대별 양식 변천을 고찰하고자 한다. 이 같은 연구 결과는 한국 문화의 정체성과 한국인의 정서를 이해하는데 도움이 될 것이며, 月象文을 비롯한 전통 문양 연구의 활성화를 도모하는 데 기여할 것이다.
Among traditional Korean patterns, the lunar emblem (Wolsangmun), which symbolizes and embodies the moon, reflects the values and emotions of Koreans well, and has been around us for a long time. Examining domestic researches on lunar emblems, the lunar emblem has been mentioned along with the solar emblems (Ilsangmun), and most of them compared the solar and lunar emblems of the Chinese Han and Tang Dynasty with those of Goguryeo tombs, or typologically classified the solar and lunar emblems appearing on Goguryeo tomb murals. Like this, few previous researches studied ancient lunar emblems alone, or discussed the background of the lunar emblems. Accordingly, this paper attempted to study lunar emblems alone, and the first research topic is the background of the ancient lunar emblems in Korea, which will form the basic materials for researches on Korean lunar emblems. This paper examined the attributes and symbolism of the moon in order to study how the lunar emblems were established and developed in Korea, and investigated the background of the appearance of the circle, toad, rabbit and laurel tree, which are important components of the lunar emblems, and their important examples. As a result, it was found that the moon is closely connected to water, earth and woman, which have negative attributes, means longevity and immortality by symbolizing the infinite circularity, and is a source of light illuminating the darkness of night, which implies Gwangmyeongise (光明理世: govern the world with a bright light). Also, as it is represented along with the sun, it symbolizes the sacred harmony and oneness of Yin (negative) and Yang (positive), and abundance and fecundity, and the full moon signifies totality, completeness and abundance, and the crescent moon on its way to the full moon means expansion and development. Meanwhile, the components of the lunar emblems corresponded to the image of the moon symbolic of Yin, reflects the tales and totems of the Dongi (Tung-i) tribe, which is closely associated with the shamanistic cultural area, and reflected the image of the moon, based on astronomical observations, in the lunar emblems. It was found that several elements are combined. It was also revealed that the various examples of the lunar emblems symbolize new birth, immortality of the soul, royal authority, the oneness of Yin and Yang, and abundance. This study intends to examine how the lunar emblems functioned in what positions in the Korean history and culture by comparing the lunar emblems of Korea and China, typologically classifying the Korean lunar emblems and investigating changes in their styles by period. The result of this study will go a long way in understanding the identity of the Korean culture and the emotions of Koreans.