홍익인간, pronounced as "hongik ingan," is the national and educational motto of Korea.
This phrase can be translated as "To broadly benefit the human world" or "Humanity for the benefit of all mankind" It is a fundamental concept of Gojoseon, the first Kingdom on the Korean peninsula, and is said to have been first introduced by Dangoon, the legendary founder of Gojoseon.
Hongik Ingan is a philosophy that originated in Korea and is based on the idea that individuals should strive to improve themselves and the world around them for the betterment of all humanity.
The philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, selflessness, and helping others.
It also stresses the importance of living in harmony with nature and society. Hongik Ingan is considered a core aspect of Korean culture and traditional values. It is also used in many educational institutions and organizations in South Korea as a principle to guide their actions.
I love this motto!
To benefit all mankind, what else is there for each individual to do, right?
I am very grateful to have learned about this philosophy as a child and to re-discover its meaning and be able to appreciate it. Awesome!
I hope you enjoyed learning about Hongik Ingan, the national and educational motto of Korea!