The Korean national costume is called hanbok, and in North Korea it is called chosonot. In the modern world, it is found on the streets quite rarely. However, these traditional outfits with their smooth and clear lines, varied and enchanting colors and painstaking artistic embroideries appear on the catwalks of Korea every now and then.
The creation of hanbok occupies a separate place in the modern Korean fashion industry.
Men today rarely wear a traditional costume, which can not be said about women. Paying tribute to traditions, representatives of the beautiful half of humanity choose Hanbok as a solemn dress.
The obligatory attribute of a national costume is for many important events, including weddings and other family celebrations, as well as national holidays. Therefore, in the wardrobe of all Koreans, there will certainly be at least one female costume of the Korean people.
Characteristics of the Korean National Costume
Since the advent of the national Korean costume has been modified more than once. Today, the hanbok is sewn according to the pattern that appeared during the reign of the descendants of the Joseon family, who ruled for 500 years. The costume is based on the canons of Confucianism.
Female hanbok
The main components of the costume for women are a rather loose and long skirt that has a smell called chima, as well as a jacket called chogori.
A traditional skirt can consist of one or two layers, and can also be sewn from quilted fabric for the cold season. Skirts with a smell located at the rear and solid skirts are also distinguished. Elegant women's jackets are distinguished by their small length and they are characterized by the roundness of the lines and the presence of decorative elements in the form of embroidery.
It is believed that earlier women's jackets in hanboks were so short that they did not cover the chest. However, Koreans in every possible way refuse to agree with these judgments discrediting their pious people.
A thongjon ribbon is attached to the jacket on the collar, allowing you to visually stretch your neck. Open ribbons, which are attached to the jacket and hang along the length of the skirt, are also an integral part of the female hanbok. The cut of the jacket is distinguished by its special grace thanks to the sleeves of the peers, whose lines resemble the roofs of Korean houses, and the collar of the whale.
The traditional outfit for Korean women is characterized by a loose and lush cut that hides the silhouette.
There are two interpretations of the hanbok:
- traditional costumes are made in accordance with historically established rules;
- modern versions of national dresses, in which the most daring design decisions are embodied.
Embroidery on a suit that used to adorn the outfits of only aristocrats occupies a special place and is a characteristic feature of the hanbok. Embroidered floral, animalistic and other ornaments are traditionally located on the hem at the skirt and on the sleeves. A Korean suit for women is complemented by white sleepless socks with straight seams and costin silk shoes.
To give harmony, the shoes are also decorated with embroidery.
Male hanbok
For a man’s traditional costume, the original hat with wide brim, which has the name Cat. The main part of the costume is made up of a chogori jacket, which is not as short as in the female version of the costume, and trousers called paji. A distinctive feature of these trousers is a fairly loose fit, which allows Koreans to sit on the floor without feeling constrained.
Some cases involve putting on a Korean coat called turumagi over a jacket. On the legs of men there are also socks and shoes that are easy to take off and put on. By the way, Koreans usually take off their shoes indoors.
The value of color in the clothes of the people of Korea
The color of the Hanbok in Korea has always been given great importance. For traditional costumes, five primary colors are usually used.
Red color symbolizes prosperity and well-being. The royal couple dressed in red robes for various ceremonies. The bride's skirt was also traditionally red and worn with a green jacket.
Blue color means stability. Such clothes were worn by officials during working hours, as well as court ladies.
The value of black for the people of Korea is endlessness and creation. Hats for men are black.
Yellow indicates the center of the universe. This color was associated with the king's family and was permissible only in their clothes at court events.
White was acceptable only for the aristocratic class. Those who had nothing to do with the nobility were strictly forbidden to wear white clothing. For ordinary people, only gray, black and light green hanboks were allowed.
The color of the costume also mattered in determining the status of women in society. During the wedding ceremony, the bride’s outfit was traditionally red and yellow. After the wedding, the girl changed the yellow jacket to green, in which she went for a month, and in this way she expressed respect for her husband's parents.
In addition to the bride at the wedding, mothers should have a hanbok of a certain color: the groom’s mother wears a blue suit, and the bride’s mother is pink in clothes. Marriage of a woman can be identified by the purple color of the ribbon on the collar. The mother of the boy stood out by the presence of a blue suit in the cuffs.
Modern versions of the costume of the inhabitants of Korea
Since today the hanbok is worn mainly on solemn occasions, there are several types that are characteristic of these events. Menzhol khanbok is called holiday costumes, which they put on to celebrate the new year and for the related ceremony of honoring parents.
Adults put on for such occasions a traditional hanbok, holiday clothes for children - a multi-colored stripes jacket and trousers or skirt, depending on the gender of the child. On the first birthday of the child, relatives and friends come to wish the baby health and prosperity. For such an event, a special hanbok is put on the child.
The suit for the boy on his first anniversary is a pink or blue jacket called zhogori and a long blue cloak called kory. The girl is characterized by an outfit consisting of a colored jacket in a strip or a festive tane jacket, which for some time has been popular among the people of Korea.
A significant event in the life of every Korean is the sixtieth anniversary of life. For this occasion, there is the hvegap hanbok, named after a celebration organized by relatives for the hero of the day. On this day, men should wear the kyngwan chobok; for women, the tane jacket is the festive dress.
Not a single wedding, which is played in accordance with the traditions of the country, can do without a hollebok. This kind of hanbok is distinguished by its special luxury. Such costumes are necessarily decorated with embroidery, hand-painted or gold.
Men's wedding attire consists of the previously mentioned traditional trousers, a jacket and coat, as well as a cape called magoch and a special chokka vest.
The bride wears a traditional green skirt and yellow jacket. From above, she puts on a coat for women, called the wonsons. The girl’s hair is decorated with a crown of chokturi.
