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, on the catwalks of Korea, these traditional outfits now and then appear with their smooth and precise lines, diverse and charming colors and painstaking artistic embroidery motifs.
The creation of the hanbok occupies a separate place in the modern Korean fashion industry.
Men today rarely wear traditional costume, which is not true of women. Paying tribute to the traditions, representatives of the fair half of humanity choose hanbok as a ceremonial dress.
A mandatory 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 Korean women there will be at least one women's costume for the Korean people.
Characteristic features of the Korean national costume
Since the advent of the national Korean costume has changed more than once. Today, the hanbok is sewn on the model that appeared during the rule of the descendants of the Joseon family, who ruled for 500 years. The basis of the costume laid the canons of Confucianism.
Female hanbok
The main components of the costume for women are a rather loose and long skirt, which has a smell called chima, as well as a jacket called chogory.
A traditional skirt can consist of one or two layers, and can also be sewn from quilted fabric for the cold season. There are also skirts with a smell, located in the back, and one-piece skirts. Elegant women's jackets are notable for their small length and they are characterized by roundness of lines and the presence of decorative elements in the form of embroidery.
It is believed that before the women's jackets in the hanboks were so short that they did not cover their breasts. However, Koreans strongly refuse to agree with these judgments, discrediting their pious people.
To the jacket on the collar fastens the tape tonzhon, allowing you to visually pull the neck. Ribbons otkorym, which are attached to the jacket and hang down 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 pere sleeves, whose lines resemble the roofs of Korean houses, and the whale collar.
The traditional outfit for Korean women is characterized by a loose and fluffy 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 courageous design decisions are embodied.
Embroidery on the costume, which used to decorate the clothes 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 of the skirt and on the sleeves. A Korean women's costume is complemented by white Poson socks, with straight seams, and silk silk shoes.
To give harmony shoes are also decorated with embroidery.
Male hanbok
For the men's traditional costume is characterized by the presence of the original hat with wide brim, which has the name cat.The main part of the costume consists of a Chogori jacket, which is not as short as in the female version of the costume, and pants called paji. A distinctive feature of these pants is a fairly loose fit, which allows Koreans to sit on the floor without feeling constrained.
Some cases involve putting on a Korean coat over the name of a turugi over a jacket. There are also socks and shoes on men's feet that are easy to take off and wear. By the way, Koreans decided to take off their shoes indoors.
The value of color in the clothes of residents of Korea
The color of the hanbok in Korea has always been given great importance. For traditional costumes, five primary colors are commonly used.
Red color symbolizes prosperity and well-being. The royal couple wore 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 ladies of the court.
The meaning of black for the people of Korea is endlessness and creativity. Men's hats are black in color.
Yellow color means the center of the universe. This color was associated with the family of the king and was permissible only in their clothes at court events.
White color was permissible only for the aristocratic class. Those who had nothing to do with the nobility were strictly forbidden to wear white clothes. For ordinary people, only gray, black and light green hanboks were allowed.
The color of the suit also mattered in determining the status of a woman in society. During the wedding ceremony, the bridal outfit had a traditionally red and yellow color. After the wedding, the girl changed her yellow jacket to green, in which she went for a month, and in this way expressed her respect for her husband's parents.
In addition to the bride at the wedding, the mother of the hanbok should also be of a certain color: the groom's mother wears a blue suit, the mother of the bride is characterized by pink color of clothes. Marriage of a woman can be identified by the purple color of the ribbon on the collar. The boy's mother was distinguished by the presence of a blue suit at 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. Menzhhol hanbok called festive costumes that are worn to celebrate the new year and for the associated ceremony honoring parents.
Adults wear traditional hanbok for such cases, festive clothing for children - a multi-colored striped jacket and trousers or a skirt depending on the gender of the child. On the first birthday of the child, relatives and friends come to wish the health and prosperity of the baby. For such an event, a special roofing hanbok is put on the child.
The suit for the boy on the first anniversary of his life is a pink or blue jacket called zhogori and a long blue cape, which is called Korym. 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 with Korean residents.
The sixtieth anniversary of life is a significant event in the life of every Korean. For this case, there is a horseback hanbok, named after a celebration organized by relatives for the hero of the day. Men on this day should wear Kyungvan Chobok, for women festive clothing is a Tane jacket.
Not a single wedding, which is played in accordance with the traditions of the country, is complete without a hollebok. This kind of hanbok is distinguished by its special luxury. Such costumes are necessarily decorated with embroidery, hand-painted or gold.
Male wedding attire consists of the previously mentioned traditional trousers, jacket and coat, as well as a cape called magchoj and a special chokka waistcoat.
The bride wears a traditional green skirt and a yellow jacket. From above, she puts on a coat for women, called wonsam. The hairstyle of the girl is decorated with a chocturi crown.
