An original hand-painted minhwa painting by Kyungja Kim.

Minhwa (민화), or Korean folk painting, is known for its vivid colors, expressive imagery, and symbolic themes reflecting wishes for good fortune, longevity, and happiness.

Sun, Moon, and Three Peaks draws on the visual tradition of Irworobongdo (Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks), a Korean composition historically displayed behind the royal throne during the Joseon dynasty as a symbol of royal authority and cosmic order. Here, the three-peak composition offers a variation on this familiar theme, bringing together the sun, moon, and mountains in an idealized landscape.

Originally associated with court painting and later adopted by minhwa artists, this imagery exists in many versions. Generations of artists have recreated and reinterpreted its familiar elements, each bringing their own style and approach to this shared cultural tradition.