Bats
I am reading "The Handbook of Korean Art, Folk Painting" by Yeolsu Yoon. I'm reading the English translation, translated by Wonjun Nam. I particularly enjoy learning about folk art because it is a peak into the culture. Yoon writes "bats were harbingers of happiness." photo borrowed from the Zentner Collection https://www.zentnercollection.com/items/1251229/Antique-Korean-Chest-Bat-Handles As bats are nocturnal, Yoon writes that the Koreans believed that the bats were out at night bringing good fortune while the other animals were asleep. It was common to see cashboxes and rice chests with bat handles. In this description about bats Yoon also mentions the Buddhist Swastika. What is a Buddhist Swastika? Well I don't know, so I Googled it and I came across this article: Buddhist monk raises awareness about the swastika's original meaning. Nakagaki is trying to raise awareness about the swastika’s peaceful Sanskrit ori...