Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CrikeyKorea]

I am doing my head in with this one, maybe it is simple, but alas, when talking about an item from the past that people used, but that still exists today, which sentence is correct? "The phoenix on the lid represents/represented the sky" I am talking about the Bronze Incense Burner from Baekje, the item still exists, but the nation of people that used it no longer do.

What about this one, "the sun on the painting behind the king's throne represents/represented the king of Joseon" there are no more kings in Joseon, but the painting is still there.

I appreciate someone helping me work out which way these sentences should be written, thanks.

[madhusudan]

I think it they're both correct depending on perspective of the speaker. If in your sentence you are speaking about the perspective of people in the past you would use 'represented' whereas if you are speaking of the (timeless) meaning of the icon you would use the simple present.

That's just my take. Let's see what others have to say.

[edwardcatflap]

agreed