Seoul Tower Hwatu

Seoul Tower Hwatu published by Miracle Fish ©2008

Tradition and Modernity are not contradictory or exclusive. The question is: “which traditions live and change, and which do not?”

Both the deck and the game have now become part of Korean tradition, with new ‘branded’ or ‘themed’ versions being devised. This unique ‘Hwatu’ card set has all the traditional 48 flower cards given a modern graphic treatment - which also extends to the Jokers and extra cards. In addition, the suits are given symbolic meanings which are printed on each card. The set is presented in a special plastic case, inside a draw-string bag, inside a nice cardboard box, all superbly customised by ‘Miraclefish’ and ‘The Bang’, and made in Korea.

See also: Diamond Hwatu • Waddamda Hwatu • Royal Hwatu.

Above: Seoul Tower Hwatu playing cards published by Miraclefish, 2008. 48 cards + 3 Jokers + 4 extra cards, presented in a special plastic case, inside a draw-string bag, inside a customised cardboard box. Cards sourced by Adam Wintle & Jinny Puprasert.

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

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Curator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.