The Moon Jar: The Making of a Korean Icon

Abstract

The moon jar is a large-size spherical porcelain vessel, first manufactured in eighteenth-century Korea. Originally used as a storage jar, the moon jar is now a frequently used symbol of Korean history and culture, appearing in various contexts within and outside Korea. I explore how it became a primary icon of Korean identity and analyze the converging factors that have shaped its significance and meanings. The continuous fascination with moon jars mirrors the ongoing search for a definition of Korean national identity, which began when Korea was occupied by Japan in the early twentieth century.