This paper reviewed the concept of the environ ment in Korean traditional thought according to Shamamism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The differences in the views of the environment between Korean traditional thought and Western thought were compared according to the ontological point of view. This study attempted to investigate the concept of environment, one of the four metaparadigm(human, environment, health, nursing)as it is experssed in Korean traditional thought. However, it was difficult to find the concept of environment separated out in the traditional thought pattern. Instead, environment concepts are represented in the natural views and universal views. Even though the four traditional thought patterns (Shamaism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism) represent some difference in their view of nature, the combination of natural and human harmony, anti-dichotomy and so forth are emphasized in common in four thought patterns. Korean traditional thought includes a more comprehensive meaning than the unitary-transformative perspective discussed in modern Westen thought patterns. Environment has been dealt with in narrow view until now. Now we avoid this narrow view and must regard environment as an integrated concept with person. Through this research, it is hoped that a contribution will be made to the development of nursing knowledge suitable to Korean culture.