Yul-Gok

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38o latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.

The Life of Yul-Gok

Yul-Gok was born a child prodigy on December 26, 1536 in Kangwon Province. At the age of three he knew Chinese scripts, and composed poems in Chinese before his 7th birthday. By age 7 he had finished lessons in Confucian Classics and passed the Civil Service literary exam at the age of 13.

By the age of 29 he passed a higher civil service exam with full marks. His thesis was regarded as a literary masterpiece displaying his knowledge of history and politics and his profound knowledge of Taoism.

He took the pen name Yul-Gok meaning “valley of chestnuts” and at 34 years he authored “Tongho Mundap,” an article about how righteous government could be achieved within his own lifetime and with measures to accomplish it.

At 36 years of age after the death of his mother he secluded himself into the Diamond Mountains. It was not known why but some say that sought three years of lamentation, or he may have regarded it as a pleasure to retire to the countryside to rest.

After his return to society he authored “The Essentials of Confucianism” in 1576.

Yul-gok died in 1584 and the valuable Yul-gok Chonjip (The Complete Works of Yul-gok) was compiled after his death on the basis of the writings he left.