Contemporary Korean Proverbs: A Brief History of Foreign Influences Aristotle once said that "proverbs were parts of man's primitive philosophy that had survived due to brevity and 'intelligence". Contemporary definitions of proverbs seek to recapitulate this notion of concise scholarship, defining proverbs as "a short, popular, common saying or witty remark used figuratively with edifying intent." The proverb's ability to convey morality and life lessons has maintained its importance throughout history in every single culture. Through the process of oral tradition, proverbs often pass from one culture to another during periods of assimilation. Over the past millennia, Korea has been the geopolitical hub of three different powers that have all shaped Korean culture. How has the contemporary history of South Korean proverbs changed during this period due to various foreign influences? To answer this question, you need to understand the historical context that led to the Korean War and its influence on Korean proverbs. Before the 20th century, Korea was under the dynastic rule of the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 AD). Korea closely reached its current geographic borders during the Koryo Dynasty, from which the name “Korea” derives. The subsequent Joseon Dynasty continued to establish Korea's national borders and distinctive cultural practices. During this dynasty, Korea was a member of the Chinese tributary system, offering regular gifts to the Chinese royal court and granting the Chinese emperor titular authority over the Korean king. In exchange, Korea could depend on China for military protection and political legitimacy. As a result of...... middle of paper...... Japanese influences exist. Due to Chinese, Japanese, and American influences on Korean culture after the Joseon Dynasty, Korean proverbs changed to reflect the customs of the various ruling nations. However, the proverbs that survived this period of transformation tended to be those influenced by Western ideology. While the American presence in Korea currently continues, relinquishing U.S. operational control of South Korean forces by December 1, 2015 will reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Korea. It will be interesting to see how the decrease in American employment in Korea will affect the proverbs of future generations. Perhaps the proverbs in use today will, as Aristotle said, “survive due to their brevity and intelligence,” or perhaps another period of assimilation is on the horizon, bringing with it new influences on Korean proverbs..