Glossary
 

Ae Gi

애기

The Korean word for baby; a name used in some of our products in reference to the gentle mildness of our formulations.

Product Reference

Ae Gi Super Mild Soap

Baekji

백지

White ritual paper used in shamanic rituals as sacred objects, offerings, or in the burning of sacred text to purify uncleanliness. Also used in wrapping sacrificial food or in setting up the ritual table for both personal and communal rites.

Product Reference

Shaman Charcoal Soap

Black Rice

흑미

The deep purplish black grains of Heukmi Bap (black rice) are prized for their antioxidant-rich nutrition, anti-inflammatory effects, and their beautiful color. Just a handful mixed in with white rice results in a stunning shade of lavender grains when cooked.

Product Reference

Black Rice Milk Soap

Black Sesame Seed

검은 깨

This nutty seed is rich in enzymes and prized for its richly nourishing oil which has a natural affinity for the skin.

Boricha Tea

보리차

Traditional barley tea, simply referred to as "water" in Korean households. The basis for our soap formulations.

Product Reference

Boricha Tea Soap

Buncheong

분청사기

A form of traditional Korean stoneware, with a beige-to-bluish-green tone. "In contrast to the refined elegance of Goryeo celadon, buncheong is designed to be natural, unassuming, and practical."​

Citation: Koehler, Robert (7 September 2015). Korean Ceramics: The Beauty of Natural Forms. Seoul Selection.

Canola Flower

유채 꽃

A bright yellow flower, subject of many flower festivals across Asia. The oil from these flowers makes up the base of our bar soaps, and helps to create a luxurious, creamy lather. Famously, the name of the 2016 film starring Youn Yuh-Jung as a Haenyeo diver.

Product Reference

Ae Gi Super Mild Soap

Celadon

청자

A type of ceramic ware typically appearing gray-green in hue. The color of Goryeo celadon owes much to the raw materials—specifically, the presence of iron in the clay and of iron oxide, manganese oxide, and quartz particles in the glaze.

Charcoal

Sut, or wood charcoal, is believed to possess the power to keep out evil forces according to Korean folklore.

Used in personal care products for its deeply purifying, detoxifying properties.

Product Reference

Shaman Charcoal Soap

Cypress

편백

Majestic trees that make up many "healing forests". Often used in traditional wooden bathtubs, due to the relaxing aroma released while soaking, and the wood's natural water resistance.

Doltap

돌탑

Doltap, or stone stacks, refer to elaborate conical cairns erected at village entrances as objects of worship believed to keep away bad fortunes and invite in the good.

Giwa Bapgi

기와밟기

Known as "Treading the Roof Tiles", Giwa Bapgi is a folk game, performed along with the ganggang sulae (a dance performed by women during the Great Full Moon Festival. It is named after the shape that the players bodies make, bent over like roof tiles to form a symbolic bridge.

Giwa Roof Tile

기와

Traditional roof tiles made from kiln-fired clay. Giwa tiles are curved pieces that are finished with round end piece, often decorated with various motifs for good luck such as flowers or dragons.

Green Tea

녹차

A tea with anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful to soothe skin irritation and redness.

Product Reference

Green Tea Incense

Haenyeo

해녀

Female divers in the Korean province of Jeju whose livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Known for their independent spirit, iron will and determination, the haenyeo are representative of the semi-matriarchal family structure of Jeju.

Product Reference

Haenyeo Sea Woman Soap

Hanji Paper

한지

Traditional handmade paper. Hanji is made from the inner bark of Broussonetia papyrifera known as paper mulberry, a tree native to Korea. Hanji-inspired paper is used for our incense box packaging, to create a gift-like presentation.

Product Reference

Sandalwood Incense

Hibiscus

무궁화

The beloved national flower of South Korea.

Hydrangea Tea

수국 차

A naturally sweet tea made from mountain hydrangea; the hydrangea flowers represent grace, beauty, and gratitude.

Product Reference

Hydrangea Tea Incense

Incense

With roots in religious ritual, burning incense is widely used for aesthetic enjoyment.

Jjimjilbang

찜질방

A Korean public bathhouse; a place of communal gathering and the collective pursuit of cleanliness and relaxation.

Product Reference

Jjimjilbang Sauna Set

Lacquerware

옻칠

The traditional lacquerware of Korea known as Ottchil uses a natural varnish made from the sap of lacquer trees that is applied to surfaces such as wood, imparting an intensely beautiful, glossy smooth finish.

Onggi

옹기

Onggi is Korean earthenware extensively used as tableware and storage containers in Korea. It includes both unglazed earthenware, and pottery with a dark brown glaze. ​ This glaze plays a key role in providing a waterproof surface and preventing leaks. Afterwards, a large amount sand particles are added to the body of the clay, acting as passages for air. This way, air can freely move through the pottery while any water cannot- Koreans call this action "Onggi drawing breath."

Palgwe

팔괘

The octagon is a symbol representative of the Eight Trigrams (palgwe) or Eight Powers of the Universe: Heaven; Lake; Fire; Thunder; Wind; Water; Mountain; Earth. The circle represents the sky and the square represents the land and so the Octagon, a combination of a circle and square, represents us as a medium between the heavens and the earth.

Persimmon

A bright reddish orange fruit that is enjoyed fresh, dried, or in traditional drinks such "sujeonggwa", a traditional sweet drink made from persimmons, cinnamon and ginger. A favorite gift to give, representing joy and beauty.

Pine

솔가지

Solgaji, or pine branch, is used in Korean folk religion to chase away impurities and to cleanse a space. It's highly aromatic essential oil is often used in personal care products to impart a brisk, woody, clean scent.

Product Reference

Shaman Charcoal Soap

Red Clay

황토

Sprinkled at sacred venues related to rituals to purify and protect; the color red is believed to possess ghost-repelling powers and ensures sanctity in carrying out a ritual. A popular cosmetic clay, best suited to combination-oily skin types for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. A mainstay of many Korean saunas, with rooms made of red clay walls or filled with red clay balls to promote a sense of well-being.

Sandalwood

백단

Known as the "cosmic tree" in Korean folklore, the heart of the creation story of Korea.

Product Reference

Sandalwood Incense

Sea Tangle

다시마

Bounty from the sea. Rich in minerals, seaweed is a skin-treatment staple ingredient known to nourish the skin.

Product Reference

Haenyeo Sea Woman Soap

Seshin

세신

The revelatory body scrub treatment enjoyed at the public bathhouse.

Seoye

서예

The tradition of artistic calligraphic writing. The tools used are referred to as the Four Friends of literature: paper; brush; ink; and ink stone. Ink is traditionally made from charcoal mixed with various incense herbs.

Product Reference

Seoye Ink Incense

Shaman

무당

The female shamans of Korea, known as Mudang, are revered for their wisdom in matters of healing the body and mind. A calling passed down through ancestry, they represent the intergenerational connection through spiritual power, and act as a conduit from the human and the spirit worlds.

Product Reference

Shaman Charcoal Soap
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