Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Korean Culture and Information Service

The plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo are referred to as the Four Gracious Plants.

The classical scholars of the Joseon dynasty era called Seonbi projected their spirit of life on the four plants called Sagunja in Korean. Sagunja represented virtues that leaders of the time should possess.

Our world changes rapidly by the day. What absolute values are necessary to us? And how can we work to safeguard those values? 

We seek to find an answer in the Four Gracious Plants.

Noble Spirit of Life, the Four Gracious Plants

Seonbi generally refers to a wise, knowledgable person who pursues learning and practices what he learns. They were the intellect of the Joseon era who led the society, country and history in the right direction. There were many virtues required of a true seonbi. They needed to be truthful, just, modest and well versed in the knowledge of the world. The 500 year long Joseon dynasty was built on this so-called seonbi spirit which penetrated that era. The spirit of the seonbi scholars served as a compass, guru and mirror in life.

The painting "Sehando" by late Joseon era scholar Kim Jeong-hee represents the seonbi spirit.

Another picture that depicts the seonbi spirit is the Painting of Sagunja. The four plants, the plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo, represent Korea's four seasons. They earned the name Sagunja, which originally means "the four gentlemen," as the traits of the plants were very much in line with the seonbi spirit.

Then what is the spirit of life portrayed by the Sagunja? For this, we take a look at the lives of some well known seonbi scholars.

The first of the four gracious plants is the plum whose flowers bloom before the leaves. The plum is the first to blossom flowers in the last days of winter and the earliest days of spring.

Plum flowers bloom as they weather through snowstorms and for this reason, they're often likened to people who unwaveringly defend themselves even in the most difficult circumstances.

Then who lived such a life?

Sancheong in South Gyeongsang Province was where Joseon era literary scholar Cho Sik spent his final days.

Also known by his pen name Nam-myung, Cho is known to have lived an unwavering life that resembled the plum.

Born in modern day Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Cho was a Confucian scholar of the mid-Joseon period

He passed the first stage state examination at age 20 but his focus was purely in delving into Confucian studies. He did not study to enter public office or climb the social ladder.

Joseon society at the time was marked by purges of the literati amid strife among political forces.

Even in this backdrop, Cho refused to rely on those in power to seek his own interest.

He turned down all government titles and solely focused on the studies of Neo Confucianism

In a time of intense political struggle for power, Cho rejected the sweet temptations of wealth and fame and resolutely chose his way outside the political realm.

It also took some time for Cho's teaching to see the light of day. The benefit of his teaching gained attention, thanks to his disciples, but not in his lifetime. His wisdome was only discovered 20 years after his death. A dozen of his pupils including Jeong In-hong and Gwak Jae-woo were at the vanguard of a militia called the "righteous army" that fought during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. and the several years of war that followed. They put into action what they learned from Cho, not to neglect the country when it faces tribulation

The disciples erected a lecture hall near Sancheonjae, the place where Cho used to teach, in order to honor his virtue and legacy. The hall is known as Deokcheon Seowon.

]The descendants of the disciples perform a memorial ceremony for Cho twice a year in the spring and fall. This tradition has lasted over 400 years.

Cho Sik strove hard not to be swayed by the world and to correct what was wrong and unjust in the world

A holy ceremony continues for an hour as Confucian scholars honor Cho's legacy and discipline their own hearts and mind.

Cho was not obsessed with his own success but lived all his life as a scholar outside the political circle and contributed to the world of future generations. His uncompromising fidelity and emphasis on taking action resembles the plum tree.

This is the first seonbi spirit that continues to inspire us to this day even after hundreds of years.

The second among the four gracious plants is the orchid.

Orchids in Korea usually grow better in the southern region. The best habitat is half shaded areas under pine trees.

Orchids live on rain and dew in the mountains but they never lose their integrity, evidenced by their stretched out straight leaves, graceful petals and aroma that travels far and wide

Unlike their modest appearance, the scent of orchids permeate throughout the mountains.

Orchids are regarded as the best of plants that grow in remote, secluded regions. An old saying goes that the scent of orchids reaches a long distance but the scent of people goes farther. The aroma a person exudes is stronger than the smell of orchids. This is a rather spot on description of Jo Gwang-jo also known by his pseudonym Jeong-am.

Jo was a philosophical scholar during the reign of Joseon King Jungjong.

He sought to rebuild the nation mired in confusion and chaos. 

Jo entered public office at 34.

At an unprecedented speed, he quickly moved through the ranks and became an influential figure in the Joseon royal court. He swiftly introduced new systems and aimed to reform Joseon into an idealistic Neo Confucian society. He was treated as a mad person but he didn't give up his ideas. Despite surrounding concerns, he remained steadfast and did not falter or waver.

When the sun is strong, the shade is also deeper. Opposition to his reforms grew stronger. Eventually, King Jungjong issued an order to arrest Jo Gwang-jo.

Even in the face of a poisonous drink that will put him to death and until his last breathing moment, he was defiant and refused to compromise.

Jo dreamed of an idealistic Joseon society where everyone lived selflessly in harmony. He died early at 38. But his endeavors paved the foundation for the governance during later Joseon years and the development of Neo Confucianism.

As a single orchid sends its scent throughout a whole mountain, one person's legacy has had a far reaching effect on society. Jo Gwang-jo abided by his own principles as a political philosopher. He refused to lose his unique scent under any circumstance, bringing us to the second personality trait of a seonbi.

Autumn in Korea is dazzlingly colorful.

Following the plum and orchid, the third of the four gracious plants is the chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums bloom alone in late fall against chilly winds. After all the blossoms from spring, summer and fall wither away They bloom, fighting the cold morning dew. They can blossom and produce scent even with no water. Chrysanthemums are resilient and can overcome harsh environments. This is yet another seonbi spirit.

And this spirit can be found in Joseon era Silhak scholar Jeong Yak-yong, whose pen name was Dasan.

He was a scholar, writer and bureaucrat who contributed to the development of diverse fields including education, academics, politics and society. His research skills based on Silhak ideology were particularly exceptional and the best in all of Joseon. Called Joseon's Leonardo da Vinci, his technological innovation project culminated in the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon

Jeong invented a special machine called eo-jung-gi with which he was able to complete construction of the fortress walls in just 2 years and 9 months. The walls were 5.7 kilometers long and 5 meters high.

Jeong was the first in Asia to be commemorated by UNESCO as an important world figure.

However, contrary to how later generations remember him, his life was far from smooth.

The sudden death of King Jeongjo gave way to a power strife among the seonbis. Jeong who was beloved by the deceased king thereafter began a long life in exile from age 40.

Dasan Chodang is where he lived for 11 years 

Living in exile deeply frustrated him but it also helped him to become the greatest scholar of Silhak or the realist school of Confucianism. He overcame the loneliness and despair and wrote around 500 books including and . This was the place where he perfected his studies which served as a cornerstone of national foundation.

He was placed under exile and political persecution in late middle age. But he considered this his destiny and further pursued his studies, and went on to achieve great academic accomplishments. People have said that Dasan resembles the chrysanthemum which blooms after undergoing hardship.

The man who takes after the flower also loved the chrysanthemum when he was alive. Chrysanthemums bloom later and last longer. They have a subtle scent and are not fancy or glamorous.

Jeong enjoyed drinking chrysanthemum tea. And at night, he would place the flower in front of a candle and liked to watch the glimmering shadow.

Today, people continue to visit Dasan Chodang.

But back in the days, nearly no one visited the area because of the rough mountainous terrain. Jeong was there alone. The chrysanthemum represents the spirit of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Jeong's political ideology rooted in Silhak continues to this day just like the aromatic scent of chrysanthemum flowers

The bamboo is literally straight and upright. It's also green all year round.

Bamboo is the symbol of righteous living in a disorderly world. And it is the last of the four gracious plants or Sagunja. The green bamboo is usually admired during the thick of winter snow. This is why bamboo represents the winter of the four plants. A completely shameless life is what seonbi scholars aim for.

Wherever it may be, there was always a bamboo forest near a seonbi.

The seonbis enjoyed listening to the beautiful sounds of nature coming through the bamboos.

They even made instruments out of bamboo and enjoyed the musical sound

The evergreen bamboo which stands upright toward the sky is the fourth plant of Sagunja.

The scholar who shared the qualities of the bamboo was Jeong Mong-joo whose pen name was Poeun. He was a faithful servant of the Goryeo dynasty. Well-versed in Neo Confucianism, Jeong served as a ranking minister in the challenging latter days of the Goryeo era. As a distinguished diplomat, he played a key role in defending the country.

Against forces who sought to build a new world, Jeong did not let go of his determination to protect the dynasty to the very end. He died on the famed stone bridge called Seonjukgyo.

His faithful patriotism is well portrayed in his poem "Dansimga."

In Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, Imgo Seowon is situated at the foot of Burae Mountain. It is a memorial hall established by Jeong's disciples.

There's a precious relic here through which his life can be reflected upon.

It is a bamboo engraving

This memorial tablet was bestowed by the state to honor Jeong's loyalty to the country despite many trials. It demonstrates his upright integrity, like the bamboo.

It must have been difficult to remain loyal, not fear death and possess strong faith and courage. This could not have been easy. This was the seonbi spirit Jeong Mong-joo aspired to safeguard at all cost.

The seonbi spirit is comparable to the plum flowers which defy compromise in any environment as they symbolize fidelity.

It also resembles the orchid, always displaying noble elegance and carrying a subtle scent even in the harshest conditions.

The seonbi spirit is also represented by the chrysanthemum which blooms late but lasts a ongtime and overcomes adversity.And lastly the righteousness of the bamboo, a heart that never loses faith and courage, also manifests the seonbi spirit.

The seonbi spirit of fidelity, integrity, grace, perseverance and loyalty is a uniquely Korean characteristic which has been passed on through generations as a spiritual legacy. The seonbi spirit will serve as an unchanging barometer for absolute human virtues and a rather lonely but noble and honorable life.