Many of the subjects depicted in Korean screen paintings had a talismanic function as well as an ornamental or ceremonial one. Such subjects were thought to be imbued with Taoist and Shamanist magic that would invite good fortune, long life and happiness into a household, or else repel evil. Among such talismanic screen-painting themes, 'The Ten Signs of Long Life' (shipjangsaeng) is probably the most auspicious and attractive.

Arrayed in a lively, brightly-colored landscape panorama across all eight panels of the screen, the ten symbols are as follows, viewing the painting from right to left in the traditional manner:

Panel 1: The red fiddleheads rising on their short stalks above the ground and on the rocks are pulloch'o, the mythical 'sacred fungus' of Taoism, said to confer immortality on those who eat it. Rocks, notable for their durability, are another of the 'Ten Signs'. So are clouds, which may drift away but always seem to return. Pine trees remain green through the winter; resisting wind, rain and snow, they can live for centuries. Bamboo likewise stays green through the winter; like a Confucian gentleman in the face of adversity, bamboo bows before the wind but never breaks.

Panel 2: Mountains seem ageless and indestructible. According to Chinese mythology, deer are the messengers and companions of the Taoist Immortals.

Panel 3: Water seems to flow eternally.

Panel 4: More clouds, pines, mountains, bamboo, and pulloch'o.

Panel 5: Cranes are the mounts on which Taoist Immortals fly to and from their abode on the Mystic Isles in the Eastern Sea.

Panel 6: More clouds, pines, cranes, deer, bamboo and pulloch'o.

Panel 7: The sun seems eternal, rising and setting, but always returning. Tortoises are the messengers of the Dragon King; giant sea turtles can live for several centuries.

Panel 8: More clouds, cranes, rocks, bamboo, water and tortoises.