Korean Traditional Craft Class : Bracelet "Jang Myung Roo "

Week 1:  Bracelet "Jang Myung Roo "

Back to 2012, Korean Cultural Center Indonesia organized “Korean Traditional Craft Class” and i was lucky to have been selected as the participant with four other people.

The class held once a week, and lasted for three months. The teacher is a Korean native named Lee Go Eun. She came to Indonesia as a part of  Korean government internship program to promote Korean art and culture. Mss. Go Eun is a college student, majoring cinematography. She is a warm person, attentive and patient in teaching us.

The Korean Traditonal Class theme was “The Moon That Embraces The Sun”-- a historical drama series which is very popular at that time—so we made some Korean traditional crafts appeared on that drama. Actually we not only learned how to make crafts but also learned a bit the life of royal family in Korean history.

The first week, we learned to make a Korean traditional bracelet made of embroidery thread, called “Jang Myung Roo” . The bracelet usually made as a gift for children in Dano Festival, Korean ancient tradition to celebrate children day. The bracelet symbolize hope and prayer that the children will life healthily and happily.

The tradition and crafts actually originated from China. It  also well-known in Japan. On this modern era, Korean is no longer celebrated Dano,  but the knowledge how to make this traditional bracelet is still introduced among school children in Korea.

To make this bracelet ned five strands of embroidery floss with different colors (usually the five colors that are essensials in Korean tradition white, blue, red, black and yellow. Each colour has its own philoshophy and attach with many aspects of Korean traditional culture). Of course, you may choose any colour you like.

The length of yarn is measured according to the size of the wrist . Then arranged in such a way , then woven with finger . To make this bracelet needs a friend who is holding the other tip of the thread. When preparing the thread,  be careful not to tangle the floss so that it can be woven easily.

The fingers used for weaving is forefinger , middle finger and third finger . It takes time to make this bracelet. It needs  persitence and patience. But when the bracelet done, you will smile and satisfy to see a cute bracelet. You may add some embellishments, such colourful beads to the bracelet, just create it creatively. []