Represents the Past and the Present.
Imagine that someone suddenly poses a question to you, “What is the most representative symbol of CNU?” “It’s a white horse,” most of our university students would say with confidence. However, can you answer to these queries without hesitation? “Then, what’s the meaning of the white horse? Why isn’t the horse statue actually white?”
● What Stands for CNU?
There exists a flower, a tree, and an animal which symbolize our university; those symbols are embodied by the royal azalea blossom, the ginkgo tree and the white horse. It is the white horse that students automatically get told about after entering school. Most of us have been influenced by a lot of elements comprising CNU, especially the integrated information system online and a statue which is located on the right side of the main street. In this way, nowadays, many people consider this animal as a typical symbolic icon. What is its meaning? Why isn’t it white?
● Why Is it the White Horse?
The white horse was temporarily selected to participate in University National Sports Festival that was held in 1974, in Gwang-ju. In March 1974, the white horse had support by more than half of university members in a survey by Chungdae Newspaper. After having a meeting of education affairs in October of the same year, it was adopted as the official animal symbol.
● What Is the Meaning?
In observance of university’s 30th anniversary, the statue was established in 1982. The university raised money from graduates and collected about 80 million won to build the structure. The white horse has features of nobility, bravery, and faithfulness; these are compatible with CNU’s ideology which consists of originality, development, and service. The
statue, carved by sculptor Park Byung-Hyun, was made up of a couple of horses; this means that our university was built for both sexes’ harmonious campus life. Planting grass on the ground where the horses are standing represents abundant prey and flourishment of all things in CNU.
● Why Is the White Horse Statue Black?
Some people express doubt about the statue’s color with a visible reason because the color doesn’t accord with the expectation. The white horse statue is made of copper, so the figure shows the material’s natural color as it is. Stone was supposed to be used to express the white color. However, there was a problem with the climate; that material is highly vulnerable to cracking and breaking for a long time. Moreover, it was possible to decrease the texture of the artwork if the horse was painted in white as an alternative. Therefore, the uncolored state is the very thing that the original intention is most reflected in the artwork.
Sources and Bibliography : 50 year-history of Chungnam National University (2002, p304),
30 year-history of Chungnam National University (1982, 600 - 601),
Chungdae Newspaper (Oct.5, 1981), CNU Style (Nov. 2013)
By Lee Hyo-jin CP Reporter lhj3220@cnu.ac.kr
Lee Hyo-jin
lhj3220@cnu.ac.kr