Hanbok

Hanbok is the traditional attire of the Korean people.

The term literally translates to "Korean clothing" in South Korea. In North Korea, the garments are called choson-ot. This clothing is a vital symbol of Korean cultural identity. It is worn by people in Korea and throughout the Korean diaspora. For example, the Koryo-saram are ethnic Koreans living in the former Soviet Union. They have maintained their hanbok traditions for generations. Today, Koreans wear these garments for formal events. These include weddings, festivals, and important ceremonies.

The basic structure of hanbok is very consistent. It is fundamentally composed of a jeogori, baji, chima, and po. The jeogori is the top garment worn by both men and women. For women, the outfit often includes a chima, which is a skirt. This ensemble is frequently referred to as chima-jeogori. For men, the outfit consists of a jeogori and baji. Baji are loose-fitting trousers designed for comfort. They are ideal for sitting on the floor. People may also add various outer layers. These include vests, jackets, and different types of coats.

The jeogori is a complex garment with several specific parts. The gil is the large section covering the front and back. The git is a band of fabric that trims the collar. A removable white collar called a dongjeong is placed over the git. To fasten the garment, people use fabric strings called goreum. These strings were originally practical but became highly decorative. In the 20th century, these became the long, wide ribbons known as ot-goreum. Some garments also use danchu, or buttons, as an alternative. For example, magoja-danchu are large decorative buttons made of metal or gems.

Women's hanbok features unique construction methods for the chima. The skirt is made from rectangular panels. These panels are pleated or gathered into a waistband called a chima-malgi. Underneath, women wear several layers of sokgot, or undergarments. The number of layers often indicated a person's wealth. A petticoat layer is called a sokchima. Historically, the chima featured geumbak, which is a gold leaf pattern. This technique uses woodblocks to stamp gold onto the fabric. This method was reserved for royalty and the nobility.

Men's hanbok includes several specialized outer layers. The po is a generic term for an outer robe or overcoat. One common type is the durumagi. The name durumagi means "closed all around." It is often worn to protect the wearer from the cold. There are also sleeveless garments called baeja or kwaeja. Some styles were influenced by other cultures during historical periods. For instance, the dapho is a short-sleeved garment used in military uniforms. It was adopted from the Mongol Yuan dynasty during the Goryeo period.

The history of hanbok stretches back to antiquity. The earliest visual depictions appear during the Three Kingdoms period. This era lasted from 57 BCE to 668 CE. Murals from the Goguryeo period show the basic structure was already established. These early styles were rooted in the attire of northern nomadic peoples. For thousands of years, many Koreans preferred wearing white hanbok. They viewed white as a pure color symbolizing light and the sun. Even during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, people resisted bans on white clothing.

Modern hanbok styles are often patterned after the Joseon dynasty. This period lasted from 1392 to 1897. Most contemporary designs reflect the clothing of that era's nobility. Since the division of Korea, some regional variations have emerged. South Korea and North Korea developed different styles due to isolation. However, increased cultural exchange since the 1990s has helped these styles converge. In 1996, the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism established Hanbok Day. This day encourages citizens to celebrate and wear their traditional clothing.