Lock Museum

The exhibition tells the story of this traditional belief in the power of talismanic animals through the intensely rich visual vocabulary of the symbolic motifs employed in Korean folk art.

It was customary for families to celebrate special occasions by adorning their walls with the auspicious animal motifs that often were incorporated into the design of key charms.

As a secret lock, it is difficult to open because its keyhole is concealed by the overall design and there is a specific set of movements that must be followed after inserting the key to match its inner mechanism.

They were passed from mothers to daughters as a symbolic reminder of the responsibility women bear for ensuring the good management of household affairs.

It was customary for families to celebrate special occasions by adorning their walls with auspicious animal motifs incorporated into the design of key charms.

Embroidered key charms were widely available in Chosŏn Korea, regardless of age or social class, as they did not require the use of relatively costly metals which made them affordable for everyone.

In this context, embroidered key charms were doubly meaningful since they were not only intended to serve as a decoration, but also as a talisman to expel bad spirits.

Flowers, butterflies, and birds—traditional symbols of the harmony and loving union of a married couple—were embroidered on silk fabric dyed with natural materials.

The key charms received as wedding presents were commonly used as decorations for the walls or furniture of the living quarters of newlywed couples.