Dancheong refers to traditional coloring on wooden buildings and artifacts in Korea for decoration and style, a style that can be seen on ancient murals from the Goguryeo Kingdom era (37 B.C.E-668 C.E.); it was also recorded in the ancient book ¡°Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of The Three Kingdoms).¡± Thus the origin of dancheong design can be traced back to the period of the Three Kingdoms of Korea (57 B.C.E to 668 C.E.). For centuries, this art has been used in architecture, painting, sculpture and assorted crafts. Its usual function was to cover design defects and prevent cracks in wooden buildings, in addition to repelling pests and protecting from rain and wind. Sacred places like temples or palaces adopted a variety of dancheong patterns and radiant colors to accentuate their designs.

Unlike China, which used red, and Japan, which used grey and black, Korea utilized blue, red, yellow, white and black, the five cardinal colors that represent wood, fire, earth, metal and water, respectively, based on yin and yang and the Five Elements Theory. As Daniel Tribouillard, CEO of the French fashion brand Leonard, said, ¡°The bold combination of vivid pink, blue green, yellow and purple is something I¡¯ve never seen in any other part of the world.¡± Thus the colors used in dancheong is unparalleled. In addition, dark red pillars, green leaves, white and black stripes, and repetitive red and blue geometric shapes combine and contrast principles of nature and art.