SANGSUG KIM - Peace of Mind

Symbolic meanings: Sotdae

Sotdae is a traditional Korean folk symbol consisting of a tall wooden pole placed at the entrance of a village or in open fields. Topped with a carved bird, it was regarded not merely as an ornament but as a symbolic bridge between heaven and earth. It embodied wishes for abundance, peace, and protection, serving as a guardian that watched over the community and safeguarded it from misfortune.

The duck, one of the birds most commonly depicted on the Sotdae, holds particular significance. As a creature that moves freely between water, land, and sky, it was believed to connect the human world with the heavens. It came to symbolise abundance, fertility, and the arrival of hopeful news.

The Sotdae in this work draws upon these traditional meanings. Here, it extends beyond its role as a guardian of a village to become a symbol of the values that emerge throughout one’s life and the hope that they may endure. It reflects the belief that meaningful encounters, experiences, and relationships continually give rise to new values, and expresses a wish that these precious values may grow with resilience and remain with us throughout our lives.