You have seen it for sure!
Whether it’s through your favorite K-Drama, history channel, or some YouTube videos, you’ve probably come across the hanbok. Hanbok is one of the most important representations of Korean culture. The hanbok’s origin can be traced all the way back to the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-668 CE), but even to this day, it’s still worn on holidays and special occasions. We take a closer look at this spectacular traditional attire.
What are all those layers for?
It is the traditional attire of the Koreans. In South Korea, it’s termed as ‘Hanbok’, whereas, in North Korea, it’s known as ‘Joseon-ot’. Han means ‘Korea’ while ‘Bok’ means clothing. The hanbok’s basic design comprises of the jeogori, the upper garment, and a lower garment. The jeogori is a blouse like jacket which can be worn both by men and women. On the other hand, for the lower garment, men wear a pair of trousers known as ‘baji’ while women don a full knee reaching skirt known as ‘chima.’ Along with these, various outerwear and accessories are used for different occasions.
What makes this traditional attire so fascinating is that even after a period of two thousand years, the design and form have been preserved. Throughout the years, the style and length have seen changes, but the basic appearance remains intact.
Hanbok in a colorful culture.
The manufacturing technique and materials used strongly represent Korean society and culture. Various materials are used to make this traditional attire. Specialized fabrics came from different areas of Korea; for example, the hem from Andong was a favorite with the upper classes (yangban).
Fabrics were also utilized with the change in season. Heavy fabric lined with fur were in high demand during the colder season whereas summer season required hanbok’s made with thinner materials, and during the autumn season, many women would dress up in hanbok made from gossamer silk as it resembled a rustling sound similar to that of walking on dry leaves.
The color of the hanbok was also a symbol of social standing; white represented chastity, integrity, and purity and was typically worn by the common people, whereas the upper glass dressed in blue, yellow, red, black, as well as white. These colors also represented oriental cosmology’s five elements (wood, metal, water, earth, and fire).
The hanbok was also embroidered with patterns to represent the wearer’s wishes. For instance, pomegranates and bats expressed a desire for children. Whereas tigers, cranes, phoenixes, and dragons were reserved for high-ranking officials and royalty.
Despite these differences, the core significance of hanbok revolved around the Korean affection for naturalness, prayer for blessings and supernatural protection as well as the Confucian dress code.
Hanbok of Today
In 1996, the Korean government created ‘hanbok day’ to motivate the wearing of hanbok. Recently, hanbok has garnered renewed interest and fascination not only in Korea but across the globe. Whether its Instagram hashtag challenges, wearing it abroad or through street flash mops, this traditional attire has seen a skyrocketing rise in interest with hanbok rental shops mushrooming everywhere.
Many prominent designers have attempted to modernize this traditional attire by focusing on function and mobility while at the same time incorporating traditional structures and patterns in leather and lace, linens, and simple cotton. Former Korean President Park Geun-Hye was also known for her fascination with Hanbok. And with the current Korean wave, this traditional attire has found a new global fanbase.
Regardless of the changes it underwent, Hanbok is an exquisite representation of Korean culture not just for its historical significance but also for its authentic Korean artistic value and will continue to remain so for years to come.
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