The first part on Korean currency dealt with coins. Today’s post deals with the paper money.

₩1000 : As of now it’s equivalent to about $1. It’s blue; with one side containing a portrait of Yi Hwang (이 황). Yi Hwang (이황) was one of the greatest scholars of Korea. The portrait of Yi Hwang (이황) takes up the foreground, while the 성균관 takes up the background. The 성균관 used to be a center for higher learning. The 성균관 was a close version of what we consider a modern university to be. The other side contains a painting by 정선 a  renowned Korean painter.

₩5000 : is pinkish or reddish in color. One side has a portrait of Yi Yi (이이), another famous Korean scholar. The background contains a black bamboo, which symbolizes the city of 강릉. The city of 강릉 was the birthplace of Yi Yi (이이). The opposite side contains a painting of insects.

₩10,000 : is of a greenish color. One side has the portrait of King Sejong (세종). King Sejong (세종) is known to have invented the Korean alphabet. The background contains the 일월오봉도, which is a folding screen with a sun and moon. The sun represents the king and the moon represents the queen. The folding screen was used by Korean kings to display their power. It was placed just behind the royal chair. The other side contains the 혼천시계, which is the earliest made clock in Korea.

₩50,000 : is orange/yellow in color. This is a new bill that will be debuted June 23rd, 2009. (So exciting!) One side wil contain a portrait of Shin Saimdang (신사임당), who was one of the few woman painters in Korea’s history. She is the mother of Yi Yi (이이) (mentioned above). The other side contains one of her paintings.