The Korean Moon Jar: What It Is and Why It’s Iconic

The world of ceramics is filled with treasures that span centuries and cultures and Korea is a country that has an immense history with ceramics in a variety of forms. The Korean moon jar is a uniquely beautiful piece of Korea’s ceramic culture and stands as an iconic symbol of simplicity, elegance, and cultural significance.

These unique porcelain vessels, with their milky white glaze and distinctive shape, have captured the hearts of artists, collectors, and connoisseurs for generations and more recently, thanks to RM of BTS, a new and younger generation of people around the world have learned about the iconic moon jars.

Get ready to learn about the iconic Korean moon jars and why BTS’ RM collects them and you should too:

• What is a Korean moon jar?
• What’s special about a Korean moon jar?
• History of the Korean moon jar
• What were Korean moon jars used for?
• Why is the Korean moon jar so iconic?
• Where to buy a Korean moon jar
• How moon jars are made

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What is a Korean moon jar?

A Korean moon jar, called “dal-hang-ari” (달항아리) in Korean, is a ceramics design made from traditional Korean white porcelain that was crafted during the Joseon Dynasty, which reigned from 1392 to 1910.

These jars, made by combining two hemispherical halves in the middle, derive their name from their moon-like shape and the milky color of their glaze, which is reminiscent of the moon. The moon jar actually got its name from the artist Kim Whanki, who lived from 1913 to 1974. He portrayed the moon jar frequently in his paintings. Prior to him naming the jars in the 1950s, they were simply known as ‘large white jars’ or baekja daeho in Korean. It was this naming that really shifted the jars from a more utilitarian work for the home to a sculptural piece of art to collect.

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What’s special about a Korean moon jar?

Unlike most jars, which are designed for stability with a wide base and a narrow mouth, moon jars defy convention by having a wider mouth than the diameter of their bottom, creating an intriguing sense of instability. This unique feature adds to their allure and mystique.

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History of the Korean moon jar

The history of the Korean moon jar is closely intertwined with the Joseon Dynasty and Confucian ideals of simplicity and elegance. Throughout the five centuries of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea followed the neo-Confucian belief system and plain white porcelain was everywhere representing that Confucian identity.

There were many styles of white porcelain vessels produced during the Joseon Dynasty period with moon jars first appearing in the late 17th century and remaining quite popular until the mid-18th century. They are now considered a quintessential example of Joseon white porcelain, and is quite unique in that it was never produced in China or Japan.

The white surface of a moon jar comes from the use of baekja, a refined white kaolin clay, which represents purity and the lack of any design or decoration represents the restraint the artist had not to do more. You can learn about Korea’s history with baekja and ceramics just about everywhere there is a museum in Korea including the National Museum of Korea, or the unique Cheongsong Baekja Center.

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What were Korean moon jars used for?

Moon jars were both aesthetic decorations and utilitarian. In royal palaces, they were vases, but for more common uses, they held dried goods like rice and grains.

Today, most people use them for decoration. I was recently given a beautiful moon jar from the Sulwhasoo X Mundobang collaboration along with the other pieces in their cultural heritage set and they’ve found a spot to be displayed with pride. Though small, it’s our first moon jar.

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Why is the Korean moon jar so iconic?

The iconic status of the moon jar can be attributed to several factors:

1. Confucian Aesthetics: During the Joseon Dynasty, Confucianism held sway over Korean society. Moon jars, with their unadorned white surfaces, perfectly embodied Confucian virtues of purity, honesty, modesty, and simplicity. Their minimalist and restrained design attributes reflected the ideals of the time, making them highly prized.
2. Imperfections as Beauty: In contrast to the pursuit of perfection, the 17th and 18th centuries witnessed a preference for naturalism and spontaneity. Moon jars, crafted entirely by hand, exhibited slight deviations from perfect circular shapes, thanks to the unpredictable changes that occurred during firing. These unique imperfections added to their beauty and charm.
3. Cultural Symbolism: They signify the importance of white color in Korean history and mirror the subtle changes found in nature, resembling the ever-changing phases of the moon. They have become powerful symbols of Korean heritage and resilience.
4. Post-Independence Significance: Moon jars gained renewed prominence after the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. They came to symbolize South Korean cultural identity, standing as a testament to the nation’s enduring spirit. In the post-war era, Korean artists and potters studied and recreated these jars, further cementing their cultural significance.
5. Artistic Inspiration: Moon jars have not only influenced the world of ceramics but have also inspired contemporary artists across various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and even video art. Prominent figures like Whanki Kim and Choi Young Wook have drawn inspiration from these iconic vessels.
6. Global Recognition: Moon jars are featured in museum collections around the globe, with only a limited number of extant works from the Joseon Dynasty remaining. Their international appeal underscores their timeless beauty and cultural importance.

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Where to buy a Korean moon jar

While the Korean moon jars from the Joseon period can fetch up to millions of dollars, in fact an 18th century moon jar sold for $4.56 million at Christie’s New York in 2023, and it’s what the collectors are out for, there are more contemporary artists making them. This means there are a variety of moon jars from quite small to large that are probably more palatable in price for the younger Korea lover or just someone working within a budget.

• Daurim: Daurim is a group of potters and tea artisans based in Korea and Taiwan. We specialize in handmade, wood-fired ceramics from Korea and high-quality, whole-leaf teas directly from tea gardens in Taiwan. Daurim works with over 20 potters in Korea and 5 tea gardens in Taiwan and carries more than 300 types of ceramics and 30 premium loose-leaf teas. The story of Daurim began in 2013 at a small Buddhist temple.
• The Moon Jar: Essential meets craftsmanship to create modern day heirlooms. Their stoneware is uniquely designed by artists and meticulously handmade by craftsmen from Korea. Each imperfect perfections are true portrait of the patience that endured the faithful process of throwing, moulding, drying, firing and glazing. The end product is beautiful yet durable stoneware that will be with you and your family over time.
• Studio Ko: Studio Kō represents that connection to home, a sense of identity, and discovery of your past within products that are both contemporary and specifically of historical Korean context and interpretation.

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How moon jars are made

The creation of a moon jar is a meticulous and intricate process that involves skilled craftsmanship and a deep understanding of porcelain as its an entirely handmade process.

Here is a brief overview of the steps to make a moon jar:

1. Clay selection: Moon jars are typically crafted using baekja, or refined kaolin clay which contains minimal iron oxide. This clay type allows for the signature milky white color but requires firing at extremely high temperatures.
2. Handmade construction: Moon jars cannot be made in one piece on a potter’s wheel due to the limitations of the clay. Instead, the upper and lower halves of the jar are separately shaped by hand on large wheels.
3. Joining the halves: After the upper and lower halves are shaped, they are carefully joined together at the middle, leaving a visible horizontal seam. This joining process requires precision and skill to ensure the jar’s structural integrity.
4. Drying and initial firing: Once the halves are joined, the jar is left to dry, often receiving an initial firing at a lower temperature. This step prepares the jar for glazing and the final firing.
5. Glazing and final firing: Moon Jars are glazed to achieve their characteristic milky white surface. The glazing process is followed by the final firing at the high temperature required for the kaolin clay, resulting in the unique white color and subtle variations in hue.
6. Imperfections as artistry: Moon jars are not perfect but the imperfections, including any slight asymmetry or variations in color, are a result of the handcrafted process and the unpredictable nature of the firing. These imperfections are not considered flaws but rather integral to their artistic appeal.

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The moon jar is undoubtedly beautiful in a timeless way and when you know how it’s made, it becomes even more inspiring, I think. Whether displayed in museum collections or reinterpreted by contemporary artists, they are a gorgeous representation of Korean heritage and have a deep story to tell.

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