Order of the Taegeuk was an

order of chivalry An order of chivalry, order of knighthood, chivalric order, or equestrian order is an order (distinction), order of knights, typically founded during or inspired by the original Catholic Military order (religious society), military orders of the ...

of the

Korean Empire The Korean Empire () was a Korean monarchical state proclaimed in October 1897 by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. The empire stood until Japan's annexation of Korea in August 1910. During the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwa ...

that was given to military or civil officials. It was divided into eight classes. It was part of the establishments of orders on 17 April 1900. From 22 April 1900, order of the taegeuk started to be awarded.

Classes

Following were the classes and who were the recipients of it: * 1st Class: Ministers who already got 2nd Class and worked well for 5 or more years after getting 2nd Class. After getting 1st class, officials are able to receive

Order of the Plum Blossom The Order of the Plum Blossom (also called as Order of the Ehwa) was the Order of chivalry of the Korean Empire. It was the third highest order of Korean Empire. History Order of the Plum Blossom was the part of the establishment of orders in 1 ...

. * 2nd Class: Officials who already got 3rd Class and worked well for 4 or more years after getting 3rd Class. * 3rd Class: Officials who already got 4th Class and worked well for 4 or more years after getting 4th Class. * 4th Class: Officials who already got 5th Class and worked well for 4 or more years after getting 5th Class. * 5th Class: Officials who already got 6th Class and worked well for 4 or more years after getting 6th Class. * 6th Class: Officials who already got 7th Class and worked well for 3 or more years after getting 7th Class. * 7th Class: Officials who already got 8th Class and worked well for 3 or more years after getting 8th Class. * 8th Class: Officials who worked well for 3 or more years. Foreigners were able to get these orders but recipients and classes were decided by the government. Following were how the medals were worn: 1st Class of the order is either Badge (with Daesu) or Medal. Daesu was worn from the right shoulder to the left flank and medal was worn in left breast. 2nd Class of the order is either Badge (with Daesu) or Necklet. Daesu was worn from the right shoulder to the left flank and necklet was worn on neck. 3rd Class was necklet and worn on neck. Order of the Taegeuk - Medal 3rd class

4th to 8th class were decorations and was worn in left breast. Order of the Taegeuk 03

Form

In the middle of the medal, there was a taegeuk, symbol of the

, in the middle. The size of the medal varied by classes. Higher classes were bigger. Perimeter of 4th class to 6th class was about 5 cm. Perimeter of 7th to 8th class was about 3 cm. 3rd class to 5th class were made of gold and 6th classes to 8th classes were made of silver.

Trivial

1st class of Order of the Taegeuk that was presented to

Horace Newton Allen Horace Newton Allen (April 23, 1858 – December 11, 1932) was a missionary, physician, and American ambassador to Korea. He was the first Protestant missionary in Korea, arriving there on September 15, 1884. After treating Min Young-ik, a r ...

became historical property of Korea.

Notable Recipients

1st Class

Min Young-hwan Min Yeong-hwan (민영환, 閔泳煥; 7 August 1861 - 30 November 1905) was a politician, diplomat, and general of the Korean Empire and known as a conservative proponent for reform. He was born in Seoul into the powerful Yeoheung Min clan whi ...

on 22 April 1900 *

Shim Soon-taek Duke Shim Soon-Taek or Sim Sun-taek (1824–1906) was a high-ranking official of the Korean Empire who proposed an anti-Japan policy. He came from the Cheongsong Shim clan. Gojong of Korea awarded the Order of the Plum Blossom to Shim in 1902. In ...

on 4 January 1901

2nd Class

* Yi Ha-young on 22 April 1900 * Gwon Jae-Hyeong on 22 April 1900 * Min Ung-shik on 22 February 1901 * Shim Sang-hun on 22 February 1901 * Yi Bum-jin on 22 February 1901 * Min Young-chan on 22 February 1901 *

Bak Jeongyang Bak Jeongyang (; 1841 – 1904) was a Korean Joseon dynasty politician and edification activist. a member of Independence Club (독립협회;獨立協會) and the People's joint association, People's Joint Association (만민공동회;萬民共同 ...

on 22 February 1901 *

Victor Collin de Plancy Victor Émile Marie Joseph Collin de Plancy (1853–1924) was a French diplomat, bibliophile and art collector. He was a career French diplomat who served most of his working life in Korea and whose private collection of Far Eastern art and antiq ...

on 21 February 1902 * Min Sang-ho on 23 September 1904

3rd Class

* Jo Byeong-shik on 22 April 1900 * Pak Chesoon on 22 April 1900 * Yi Un-yong on 22 April 1900 * Min Sang-ho on 22 February 1901 * Yi Jae-wan on 22 February 1901

References

{{Reflist 1900 establishments in Korea Awards established in 1900 Orders of chivalry Orders, decorations, and medals of the Korean Empire