Korean national costume: description. Korean culture

Korea. Practices to be aware of

Customs to be aware of before visiting Korea

If you want to move to Korea for work or just stay here as a tourist, then knowing certain traditions will help you get used to the culture of this territory.

Korean culture has existed for 5 thousand years, despite the best efforts of hostile neighbors to destroy it. If you know and respect Korean culture, you will get the most out of your stay there.

1. Kimchi is a whole culture

Kimchi is a Korean dish consisting of spicy pickled vegetables seasoned with red pepper, onion, garlic and ginger (mainly sauerkraut). Koreans love it and eat it at every meal mostly as a meal on its own, but it is also an ingredient in many other dishes.

Kimchi is a symbol of Korean culture. This dish is quite spicy, so not all tourists will like it. If you try it, then imbued with sincere respect for the locals.

2. Take off your shoes

When you enter a Korean home, be sure to take off your shoes. If a person does not do this, this is a sign of great disrespect.

Koreans have a special relationship with the floor, they sit on it, and many sleep on the floor. A dirty floor is an unacceptable thing in a Korean home, and they look at people who walk around the house in shoes as backward savages.

Koreans love to drink and their national alcoholic drink is soju, a clear drink similar to vodka.

Soju is drunk from shot glasses and, like any other alcohol in Korea, it is served with food. Koreans drink in noisy companies, often clink glasses and say "geonbae!" ("To your health!").

In the evenings you can see men coming out of bars laughing, singing, arguing. The main thing is not to fall into a puddle of vomit that they leave behind.

Koreans have strict etiquette drink: never pour yourself a drink, and if you pour someone older than you, then you need to attach left hand to the heart as a sign of respect.

Like the Japanese, Koreans eat rice at almost every meal. It is so ingrained in their culture that one of the common greetings is "Bap meogeosseoyo?" which means "Have you eaten rice?".

Koreans, unlike the Japanese, usually eat rice with a spoon and never raise the cup to their mouth while eating.

If you eat with chopsticks, then you can’t pick up a TV remote control, and even more so leave them stuck in rice, because it resembles incense sticks that are placed on deceased relatives.

5. Don't smile

Koreans are kind and generous people, but you will never see a duty smile on their faces. Sometimes the streets are just full of gloomy faces, and it seems that people are deliberately trying to put on the most stern expression they can. However, this does not apply to children who are always smiling and laughing.

6. Watch out for your elbows

Korea has a very high population density. There are many mountains and not so many valleys and plains suitable for building.

Therefore, you will meet crowds of people and do not doubt that they will push and shove, for example, to get into a bus or an elevator.

You don't even have to bother with an apology. And beware of old ladies. They are deadly.

7. Protests

The people of South Korea in particular have spent a lot of time building their own democratic society, and these are the people who will seize the opportunity to exercise their right to protest.

Dissent is alive and well here. Koreans from all sides of the political spectrum are protesting often and with fervor.

The forms of protest here are completely different: from violent (students often attack law enforcement officers) to absurd (there have been cases when people cut off their fingers, threw manure, etc.).

8. Mountain tourism

Since there are many mountains in Korea, it is not surprising that mountain tourism is popular view recreation.

Even near the most crowded cities there are mountains that will help you escape from the city madness for a while.

9. Woof-woof

Yes, some Koreans eat dog meat, despite all the government's attempts to ban dog meat to improve their "international image".

Dog meat is eaten most in the summer and mostly by men who believe it improves stamina.

10. Nationalism

All Koreans are very proud people, and sometimes this pride borders on overt nationalism.

This is clearly shown in sports events, where all Koreans will support their teams, waving huge flags, beating drums, shouting in unison.

This nationalism is taken to extremes when it comes to Japan, which has invaded Korea several times. Korea was occupied by it for almost the entire first half of the twentieth century.

And finally, remember two more things:

For Koreans, there is no Sea of ​​Japan. The body of water between Korea and Japan is called the East Sea.

The Koreans have no doubts about the ownership of the disputed Liancourt Islands. They undoubtedly belong only to South Korea.

It is better not to argue on these two issues, for Koreans there cannot be several points of view.

Muz4in.Net - Oleg "Solid" Bulygin

What's in a name?

When a young couple meets their parents, the elders never give their names, but simply and clearly introduce themselves as “mom” and “dad”.

This is due to the fact that one of the main signs in South Korea is the one that says that the name has a very big weight, affects fate, makes a person weak and vulnerable. Therefore, Korean residents call their name extremely rarely, limited to nicknames.

Did you know?

Despite the closeness of the relationship, the wife cannot call her husband by name, thereby she insults and belittles his dignity. If such a scene occurs in crowded place, in 99% of cases a woman will be reprimanded.

Family customs of South Korea

Family values

After the news of pregnancy, a young mother is surrounded by hyper-concern, grandparents, uncles, aunts, sisters and the whole large Korean family are involved in the process.

Immediately after childbirth, it is customary to feed a woman in labor with a special seaweed soup in beef broth. It is believed that Miyok-guk soup improves lactation and restores strength.

Did you know?

Traditional holidays in Korea are usually celebrated with family. Koreans gather with their parents, the grandson, together with his grandfather, makes kites, and in the evening he launches them on the street. At this time, grandmothers pass on their family kimchi recipe to their granddaughters, which they keep behind 7 locks.

Family customs of South Korea

Sons in honor

According to Confucian teachings, the birth of a son is a necessity for every family. "Why? Really, from the girl there is no use? - you ask, and the Koreans will answer you that you know nothing about the afterlife.

Only a son can commemorate the spirits of deceased parents, thereby opening a passage to the afterlife for them. A family deprived of a son is doomed to “starve” forever in the afterlife, and this explains the special love of Koreans for the birth of boys.

Did you know?

Approximately 30-40 years ago, only boys' birthdays were celebrated in the Korean family, while girls remained in the shadows. However, the girls were never given any indulgence, and they performed their duties at home and at school on an equal basis with the boys.

Interesting family customs South Korea

“You can’t clap your hands with one hand,” says a Korean proverb. This expression perfectly describes the attitude of Koreans to the family and, you see, reminds us of our Russian fairy tale - do you remember when the father asked the three brothers to break the broom? In general, sit back, call moms and dads, grandparents to the monitor - they will definitely like the customs of a South Korean family.

№1 by seniority

South Korea is the heir to the ideas of Confucianism. And Confucius said that always and in everything the primacy belongs to the elders. And it is not discussed. He also said that all relationships (including in the state) should be built on "xiao" (or in Korean heh) - filial piety. Confucius doesn't give bad advice, does he, Mom?

Traditionally, several generations of the same family lived under the same roof. Now the son's family most often stays with his parents, and it is he who is responsible for providing for his parents after they stop receiving their salary. There is no usual old-age pension in South Korea. After the end of the labor path, the employee receives a lump sum payment - the average annual salary multiplied by the number of years worked. After this money runs out, parents rely only on children.

№2 About love


Traditionally, it was the parents who chose the couple for their son or daughter. One can only imagine how many potential dramas unfolded in the historical expanses of the country of morning freshness. Or maybe it didn’t unfold, because the word of the elders - see above.

In modern Korea, parents do not make the final decision, but, nevertheless, they carefully collect information about the chosen one / chosen one of their child. Then comes sogethin- a meeting of the parents of the bride and groom, at which families can even exchange medical certificates of future spouses, they say, everything is fine with health. Such is “you have goods, we have a merchant” in Korean.

№3 Bitterly!

The wedding itself most often involves 2 ceremonies - European (with a magnificent dress, joint cutting of the cake, throwing a bouquet into a crowd of girlfriends - that's all) and traditional - in national costumes hanbok and with observance of rituals. And in the Korean wedding there is a ransom for the bride and constant tests of the groom and his friends for strength. I wonder if Koreans decorate porches with balloons and homemade posters?

By the way, living together before marriage in Korea is simply indecent, and divorce is still considered extremely unpleasant situation for both the couple and both families.

№4 About children


“Children are the flowers of life. Gather a bouquet and give it to your grandmother.” Many Korean families are guided by this joke: grandmothers (on the mother's side) often and willingly babysit their grandchildren. In Korea, it is believed that it is thanks to the child that a young family is “born” a second time. Kids are pampered, practically not scolded and showered with gifts. This is partly because when the child goes to school, the fairy tale ends and the harsh ones begin. But while you are small - you can do anything, cheers!

№5 Birthday is not only once a year


Already 100 days after birth, Korean babies have their first "going out" and the first holiday - paquil. ancient custom appeared due to the fact that earlier infant mortality was very high and it was believed that if a child lived to 100 days, then everything would be fine with him. Rice cakes are prepared for baekil - tteok. According to legend, if 100 people eat them, then the hero of the occasion will be healthy and happy. Therefore, if you are suddenly treated to such a loaf, do not refuse - work a little with a good spirit!

And on the very first birthday - dol jeongji- a lot of guests gather, relatives and friends come. The birthday boy is dressed up in a bright beautiful hanbok, which is often saved after the holiday. The most interesting thing on this day is the ritual dol jabe, the choice of fate. Put in front of the child miscellaneous items, from which he chooses one or more. Money means wealth, rice means a well-fed life, thread means longevity. Previously, they also laid, for example, a bow and arrows - the attributes of a successful hunter, or scissors - for a skilled seamstress. Now they have been replaced by computer mice, books and notebooks, stethoscopes and toothbrushes (for future dentists). I wonder what each of us would choose, right?

Instead of results, let's say this: appreciate and take care of your family. After all, it is much more difficult to break a whole broom than a twig, but you still can’t clap your hands with one hand.

Hello, dear readers seekers of knowledge and truth!

We continue the series of articles about the amazing and not yet fully explored Asian corners of our planet. Today, imagination will take us straight to Korea, and this article will help in such a difficult task.

We will learn a lot of interesting things about the traditions of South Korea: how a traditional family is built, what holidays the people love the most, how to behave in a decent society, what impudent old women are called and what vice many Koreans suffer from. Good luck!

Family

South Korean habits and customs have evolved over centuries. With the growth of urbanization, Europeanization, informatization and other complex words, everything has changed somewhat, but the basics have remained the same. They may seem logical, sweet, correct, or, conversely, strange, paradoxical - you decide.

Family values

Family ties are something that for many in Korea is the highest value. An unmarried man is not considered a full-fledged man.

Previously, three or four generations could coexist in a house. The older man was at the head. In general, a man had more rights than a woman, but in order to avoid gender disputes in the second half of the last century, a bill was passed, according to which the son and daughter had equal rights in inheritance.

Now couples usually live separately from their parents. The average young family is a mother, father, one or two children. Relationships between spouses are strong, because when they divorce, they dishonor not only themselves, but also their relatives.

The wife usually leaves maiden name but the children bear the surname of their father. The names and surnames of Koreans are short, sonorous and do not differ in phenomenal diversity.

Most popular surnames:

  • Kim - worn by every fifth Korean;
  • Li - every seventh;

dwelling

The house of Koreans is referred to as "hanok". It is built in such a way that households can enjoy the unity with nature as much as possible and at the same time comfortably hide from the vagaries of the weather: summer heat, humidity and winter coolness.


Life is arranged in such a way that the family spends most of the time at home on the floor: here they eat, sleep, work, and have fun. Therefore, the interior is unpretentious: mats or thin mattresses for sleeping, flat cushions for sitting, folding small tables for meals. main feature buildings of the house - a built-in "warm floor" system, which is indispensable in Korea.

Behavior in society

respect for elders

Position in society is very important social contacts. Therefore, do not be surprised if unfamiliar Koreans start asking embarrassing questions: who are your parents, how old are you, where did you study, are you married. Do not take it for arrogance or tactlessness - this is how the locals determine how to communicate with you.

The main postulate of interpersonal communication is respectful attitude to the elders, unquestioning obedience to them.

Elderly people, on the other hand, can not deny themselves anything, behave as they please. Sometimes such behavior leads to absurdity, which, however, is considered the norm in Korea. The name of this "absurdity" is ajumma.


For example, representatives of the older generation are allowed everything. They will give odds to grannies in Russian public transport: they push, interrupt, climb out of line, without a twinge of conscience they can speak out about the young, and if they don’t like something, even spit at them. And what do young people do - just endure.

Bad habits

It cannot be said that the Koreans are leading healthy lifestyle life: many devote all day to sedentary work, and then go to bars, restaurants, cafes, where they indulge in conversations with friends over a glass or two of something alcoholic. In general, for the country, an impressive figure is obtained, which sometimes elevates Korea to the top positions in the world in alcohol consumption.

However, even when drunk, young people behave surprisingly quietly, decorously and nobly.

Food in Korea is very spicy, and the most popular meat here is pork. It is usually fried right on the table, and eaten with a variety of snacks. You can read more about Korean cuisine.


Moral standards

In Korea, obscenely short skirts are considered decent, which, when climbing the stairs, cover almost nothing. But at the same time, the slightest hint of a neckline will be the subject of a girl’s condemnation.

The concept of morality is rather vague: ordinary girls sacredly honor their marriage, love the only unique husband. At the same time, history has long known about the existence of local geishas - kisen.

They entertained the audience with musical instruments and acting, their knowledge of literature and art, served food and drink. It was considered better for a kisaeng to be smart and have excellent conversational skills than to be beautiful. Probably, kisaeng could provide sex services in exchange for money, but no one considered them to be prostitutes.

kisaeng played important role in Korean culture: they were the heroines of many novels, and in turbulent times they became nurses.


Some more interesting facts

  • In Korea, you need to get used to bowing - this gesture accompanies greetings, farewells, gratitude.
  • Touching should be treated with caution - it is not allowed to touch unfamiliar people, women, only a slight handshake is allowed.
  • Shoes are taken off almost everywhere.
  • Blowing your nose in public is considered bad manners, while slurping is considered a compliment for the cook.
  • Here they do not apologize for trifles, for example, if one accidentally hit another with a shoulder.
  • When talking, it is not customary to hide your hands.
  • Red pens simply do not exist in Korea - writing in red entails trouble.
  • Nine out of ten residents have vision problems, which is why there are so many people wearing glasses around.
  • The time that the mother was carrying the fetus is counted in the age of the child - so, the baby is already born at nine months old.
  • The new, "widespread" fashion has become plastic surgery especially for eyelid correction. Often, parents give the operation to young people - both girls and boys - for the age of majority.


Favorite holidays

wedding procession

Despite all the progressive thinking of today's youth, they do not cease to reckon with the opinion of their elders, therefore, for a wedding, they need the blessing of their parents. Moreover, a few days before the celebration, a feast is held, reminiscent of matchmaking.

European traditions, having seeped into Korean wedding fashion, only made it more unique and inimitable. Now ceremonies are held in two stages: Western and traditional.

The wedding takes place in the European style. In a special hall for rituals, where the guests have already gathered, the groom dressed in a suit enters, and behind him - the bride with her father, dressed in wedding dress. The ceremony, which lasts about thirty minutes, is conducted by someone you know, for example, a close friend of the groom.

The main musical accompaniment is not the usual march of Mendelssohn, but the march of Wagner.

Later, the newlyweds change into national costumes - hanboks, which cause a flurry of admiration among the representatives of the West. The action continues with a meal in honor of the newly-married spouses, they are given gifts, mostly money. Then the young go on a joint journey.


First birthday

This event is called "tol chanchi". They begin to prepare for it much in advance, sometimes even before the baby is born. Many acquaintances come to the banquet, which is rarely held at home, and give generous gifts to the baby.

On this day, the fate of the new little man is determined to some extent. Objects are placed in front of him, and his life depends on which one he chooses. For example, choosing grain, the child will always be full, a book - smart, a skein of thread - a long-liver.

New Year - Sollal

Koreans celebrate the first day of the year with the onset of the first lunar day first month. This date is never static, so every year is celebrated on a new day.

At this time, the people are left to themselves and their families for three days. They put on hanboks, go to their parents even if they live far away, and celebrate the new year.


In Sollal, a rite of chere is often held - a holiday of commemoration of ancestors.

Rite of Remembrance

Chere is arranged on the day of the new year, the day of harvest and on the anniversary of death. According to Korean beliefs, after death, the soul of the deceased does not leave the earth, but protects relatives for another four generations, as if being nearby.

Celebrating this event, people buy gifts, food in advance, serve a rich table or go to the cemetery. The event is accompanied by dancing girls and parade of kites in the sky.

Conclusion

Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers!

If you liked the article and want to support our blog, share the link to it with your friends on social networks!

In the Republic of Korea, there are many national holidays which are loved and revered by the inhabitants of this country. The history of some began many centuries ago, while others - more recently. Each celebration has its own traditions and customs, which are observed with trepidation by the people of this magnificent country.

National Korean holidays and dates

The most important celebrations of the country are in autumn and winter. During all official holidays The government gives the people days off. But this happens if the celebration is state, and not religious.

Major holidays in Korea:

  • Chuseok - 14th, 15th, 16th days of the eighth lunar month.
  • Christmas - 25 December.
  • New Year and Seollal on January 1 and the first day of the lunar calendar.
  • Independence Movement Day - 1 March.
  • Memorial Day - 6 July.

Of all the celebrations in the country, the most important and revered are the Korean New Year and the Chuseok festival. Officially, they are considered weekends and last for three days. All this time, local residents arrange theatrical performances, performances and festivals, honor the traditions of the holidays and their customs. To get tourists to such national celebrations is considered a great success and joy.

harvest day

Chuseok is one of the most significant Korean holidays in October, which is celebrated on the day of the full moon. All residents of the country are looking forward to the autumn celebration in honor of the harvest and specially come to their parents' houses to meet it together. The Korean holiday Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and lasts for three days in total. At this celebration, people express their gratitude to the earth for its generosity.

All relatives and close people gather at the Korean harvest festival, they cook the national dishes of the country together. But the most important ritual on this significant day is visiting the graves of ancestors and singing them during the entire feast. Also at the autumn celebration, sacrifices and traditional round dances are arranged.

Older generations, unlike young people, treat the Korean harvest festival with special trepidation. They observe absolutely all of its traditions, even despite the fact that many centuries have passed since the founding of this celebration. So, many centuries ago on this day it was customary to wear a new hanbok (Korean festive attire), but the younger generation changed it to ordinary clothes.

National dishes on Chuseok and veneration of ancestors

All solemn events among the Korean people are held in compliance with the rules regarding the festive table. In addition to a variety of dishes prepared according to the preference of the hostess herself, fresh must be present at the bottom of the harvest. It can be fresh or aged for no more than one year.

It is also necessary to prepare rice cakes in advance. Koreans call them songpyeong and cook them with the whole family on the eve of the holiday. Sweet beans or sesame can be added to rice cakes. Jeon cakes are also considered mandatory for cooking. They are baked from rice dough with pieces different fillings seasoned with sesame seeds or legumes. There is no exact recipe for this dish, the ingredients may vary slightly in different corners South Korea.

After the meal, Koreans without fail come to the graves of their ancestors, conduct ceremonies there, including the presentation of treats (sunmyu ritual). At the burial sites, people mow the grass and clear the area of ​​debris.

Korean Christmas

This holiday is considered one of the most important in the Republic of Korea. Christmas is celebrated here on December 25th. It is because of this winter celebration that all the streets, shops, houses and public places begin to decorate with sparkling lights and bright posters. Christmas music plays everywhere, and cafes and restaurants are full of variety unusual dishes and drinks.

On the eve of this Korean holiday, a variety of festivals and theater performances are held in parks and city squares. Most often, people celebrate Christmas in the family circle, being at home. The main dish of the feast is a festive pie with a variety of fillings of meat, fish with spices and legumes.

New Year

As in China, this is celebrated twice a year: on the solar and lunar calendar. Such celebrations plunge the country into winter fairy tale thanks to their colorful performances. The Korean population celebrates the first New Year, like most other countries, on the first of January. And the traditional celebration of Seollal falls only in February. There, having visited the Republic of Korea during these two months, you can fully experience the whole atmosphere of the holiday of this country and admire its beauties.

They celebrate the New Year in this state not like in Russia, at night, but only at dawn, in the company of loved ones and dear people. To keep the traditions, people go out on the roofs, verandas and balconies, go to the mountains and hills. The weather in Korea also contributes to this. Due to the rather warm climate in the country, New Year's celebrations are held without frost and strong winds.

Holiday Features

The surprising thing is that Koreans start decorating the streets and houses from the beginning of December, almost a month before Christmas, and clean it all up only in February, after Seollal. For two and a half months, the atmosphere of a holiday, magic and a wonderful fairy tale reigns in the country, which anyone can get into.

For the celebration itself in Korea, according to tradition, the population launches numerous kites. Such an action can captivate any tourist with its beauty and singularity. Also, many traditional rice dishes are prepared for this Korean holiday. One of them is ttok. This is a Korean national sweet dessert that every guest should definitely eat, as, according to popular belief, such a delicacy attracts good luck and happiness.

National Celebration - Seollal

Korean New Year is officially celebrated by the locals for three days. But earlier the holiday lasted longer, from the new moon to the full moon, for a total of 15 days. Traditionally, the New Year celebration is celebrated in the family circle, with a variety of national dishes and drinks: Korean dumplings, rice wine, tteok. As well as porridge from five grain crops.

In addition to this, on festive table must be present: dried fish, and fruits. On New Year's Eve, the house is decorated with images of a tiger and a chicken. According to popular beliefs, these animals attract well-being, happiness and scare away evil.

It is also customary to wear national clothes for the holiday and give gifts to loved ones, relatives, colleagues and acquaintances. The most common are money and products. You can give festive food and sweets.

Independence Movement Day

Samiljol is a public holiday celebrated in Korea on the first of March. It was on this day in 1919 that the country's independence from the occupation of Japan was proclaimed.

This holiday is celebrated by the whole country. Korean people goes to the square with the flags of his state. Also on this holiday, concerts, theatrical performances are held, excursions to museums are organized, where prominent figures of that time and their biographies.

Even on this significant day, the heroine of the country, Yu Gwang Sun, is honored. The girl fought to the last for the future of her country. She initiated uprisings against Japanese totalitarianism. The girl died in agony due to the torture of the invaders and was subsequently recognized national heroine. Yoo Gwang Soon was only 17 years old.

official day of remembrance

The national holiday of Korea is celebrated on June 6, in honor of the end of civil war in 1953. Remembrance Day received the status of an official celebration in 1970. At the holiday, Koreans remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives to save the Motherland.

On this memorable day at 10 am, a minute of silence is announced throughout the country in honor of all the dead civilians and soldiers. Flowers are laid on graves and monuments throughout the day - white chrysanthemums, as a sign of mourning. In Korea, concerts are held dedicated to war veterans, songs of those years are performed. Children put on theatrical skits on the subject of battles.

All national Korean holidays and traditions differ from each other in customs and rituals. But one thing remains unchanged in them - respect and reverence for their people. locals with special trepidation they treat all the celebrations that are held in their country, carefully store them and pass them on from generation to generation.

South Korea is famous for its special attitude towards the elderly and ancestors. Children and adolescents are instilled with love and respect for elders and national traditions from an early age. The Korean people are well-educated and respectful customs.

European culture is fundamentally different from Asian. This is manifested in absolutely all social and everyday nuances, so Asia is incredibly attractive for tourists from all over the world. Of particular great interest is the culture and customs of South Korea, which for a long time was in some isolation from the rest of the world. Today, Europeans find this country incredibly beautiful and original, so we decided to tell you the most Interesting Facts about Korean culture.

Korean culture: features

At the beginning of the article, I would like to clarify that the Koreans are an indivisible nation that has common traditions, religion and customs. But due to certain circumstances, the country was divided into parts and now represents two absolutely sovereign states - South and In cases where journalists or sociologists mention Korea, they mean exactly the state called South Korea. We will do the same. Especially since cultural heritage both countries is identical.

South Korea: customs and traditions

Korean culture was formed under the influence of Chinese and Mongolian people. This can be seen in some elements of the folk costume and musical preferences, surprisingly reminiscent of traditional Chinese chants. If you ever find yourself in Korea, you will be surprised how often music and songs are heard on the streets of cities. They accompany the life of an ordinary Korean from the moment of birth until death.

Religion has greatly influenced cultural traditions Korea. Initially, almost all Koreans were bright adherents of shamanism. Only with the arrival of the first Buddhist monks from China to these lands, a new religion began to spread throughout the country. It surprisingly quickly entered the life of Koreans and superimposed on their traditions. In addition, Buddhism gave a powerful impetus to the development of art. traditional painting, for example, under the influence new religion enriched with previously unused styles and trends. Silk painting and paintings in the style of naturalism became popular.

In culture, a special place is occupied by the attitude towards the older generation. This tradition can be attributed to the Koreans. Among them, it is still customary to treat elders with great respect and carry out their words without reservation. Quite often, being among strangers, Koreans seek to find out their social status and age. It is from this that they are repelled, building a model of behavior in society.

like this?

Young Koreans respect the will of their parents above all and marry only after their blessing. Indeed, in Korea, divorce is considered a disgrace not only for two people, but also for their families. Now weddings are played mainly in two versions - traditional and Western. Thus, all secular laws and cultural traditions are respected. The most common dress for any festive ceremonies is Korean National Costume hanbok. It causes admiration among Europeans because this clothing is a riot of colors and simplicity of lines, which together add up to an incredibly attractive image.

Korean folk costume: general characteristics

The costume, which is the national festive dress in Korea, is called hanbok. It has been preserved almost unchanged for several millennia. Korean has three main parts:

  • chogori;
  • chima;
  • open.

Chogori is an overshirt, chima is an A-line skirt, and otkoreum are wide and long ribbons that prevent the shirt from opening open and represent decorative element suit.

Korean male costume consists of the following elements:

  • chogori;
  • paji;

Chogori top shirt men's suit differs little from women's, and paji pants are comfortable baggy trousers tied with two ribbons, which makes them almost universal. In the cold season, a kind of coat, pho, was put on the chogori.

Hanbok colors

In various catwalk photos, the Korean national costume appears to foreigners as something amazingly colorful. Koreans know how to combine bright and rich colors with each other to create unique images. Usually two or three colors are used in one suit in unusual combinations. Often chima and jeogori were decorated with gold foil embroidery, which was elevated in Korea to the rank of a special art.

The bright colors of the hanbok have always been reserved for noble Koreans. They had the right to use all sorts of colors, which often played an informational role when meeting with acquaintances. For example, deep Blue colour could only be worn by women with one son.

Commoners were forbidden to use bright colors: their Korean national costume was replete with shades of gray and beige. The poor could afford some color variety - pink and green color scheme. But it has always had very pale shades, as opposed to the pure and rich colors of the aristocratic hanbok.

What material is the hanbok made from?

The Korean national costume was most often sewn from mixed cotton fabrics. They were worn well in the hot season; in other seasons, their silk clothes were common. But only the rich could afford such a variety. The main population of Korea wore hanbok made of plain cotton or hemp.

Women's hanbok details

It should be noted that throughout the history of its existence folk costume changed only its length and design elements. IN in general terms he remained consistent, which speaks of his extreme convenience, which Koreans are proud of to this day. The outer shirt of the chogori has always been rather short, in the traditional version it reaches the waist. But in different times its length changed significantly. For example, in the eighteenth century, the chogori turned into a kind of top that barely covered the chest. In some provinces, it even left the chest open, which indicated that the woman had children.

Chima also did not always have the shape of a bell today. Under the influence of the Mongolian Chinese culture the skirt from the seventeenth century began to expand to the hips and taper to the legs. In the nineteenth century, this form of chima reached its maximum expansion and began to gradually acquire more traditional look. Now the skirt of the national costume begins just below the bust and expands to the floor. The ribbons of the otkoryum were originally very narrow, but over time they were made from a contrasting fabric to the chogori in order to create additional element design.

Hanbok: male costume

The hanbok for men hasn't changed much. Chogori and paji were often sewn from fabric different colors, which allowed creating unique combinations and combinations. In the men's suit, the chogori reaches mid-thigh and has a loose fit, in contrast to the fitted female version.

As outerwear, men often wore not only the already mentioned pho, but also magoja - and a detachable collar. It was customary to wear it over a chogori and not fasten it. This element of clothing came to Korean culture thanks to the Mongolian princesses. But a few years later, it became so fused with the traditional hanbok that to this day it is considered the main part of the national costume not only for men, but also for women.

Children's traditional clothes

The Korean national costume for girls and boys is not much different from adult models. Parents try to buy costumes of bright colors for their beloved children, which are worn not only on official public holidays, but also in a close family circle. It is also customary to wear hanbok on various occasions. festive events V kindergarten and school.

It is difficult to imagine at least one celebration in Korea that would have done without a national costume. He is loved by absolutely all Koreans without exception. And this is not surprising because, in addition to beauty, hanbok is distinguished by extraordinary convenience and practicality. So if you happen to visit South Korea, be sure to bring a hanbok from there as a souvenir. With it, you can make unforgettable impression at any party.