Korean national costume: description. Korean Culture

European culture is fundamentally different from Asian culture. It manifests itself in all social and everyday nuances, therefore Asia is incredibly attractive for tourists from all over the world. Of particular 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 the culture of Koreans.

Culture of Korea: features

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

South Korea: customs and traditions

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

Religion greatly influenced the cultural traditions of Korea. Initially, almost all Koreans were vivid adherents of shamanism. Only with the arrival of the first monks-Buddhists from China on the territory of the country began to spread a new religion. It surprisingly quickly entered into the life of the Koreans and overlapped their traditions. In addition, Buddhism gave a powerful impetus to the development of art. Traditional painting, for example, under the influence of the new religion was enriched by unused styles and trends. Popular was painting on silk and paintings in the style of naturalism.

In the culture of the Asian people, a special place belongs to the attitude towards the older generation. This tradition can be attributed to the Koreans. Among them, it is still accepted with great respect for the elders and to fulfill their words without reservations. Quite often, being among unfamiliar people, Koreans tend to find out their social status and age. It is from this that they repulse, building a model of behavior in society.

Marriage in Korean: how is it?

Young Koreans above all esteem the will of parents and enter into marriage only after their blessing. After all, in Korea, a divorce is considered a disgrace not only for two people, but also for their families. Now weddings are played mainly in two variants - traditional and western manner. Thus, all secular laws and cultural traditions are observed. The most common clothing in any festive ceremony is the Korean national Hanbok suit. He evokes the admiration of Europeans because these clothes represent a riot of colors and simplicity of lines, which together form an incredibly attractive image.

Korean folk costume: a general characteristic

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

• Chogori;
• Chhima;
• Otkorym.

Chogori is the top shirt, chhima is the skirt of the A-shaped silhouette, and otkorym is the wide and long ribbons that prevent the shirt from swinging open and are a decorative element of the costume.

Korean men's suit consists of the following elements:

• Chogori;
• Pagi;
• Pho.

The top shirt of a chogori in a man's suit differs little from a female one, and pants - pajas are convenient baggy trousers tied to two tapes, which makes them almost universal. In the cold season, a sort of coat - pho was worn on a chogori.

Color range of hanbok

On various podium photographs, the Korean national costume appears to foreigners as something surprisingly colorful. Koreans are able to combine bright and juicy colors among themselves to create unique images. Usually in one suit two or three colors are used in unusual combinations. Often chhima and chogori were decorated with embroidery from gold foil, which was erected in Korea as a special art.

The bright colors of hanbok were always available only to noble Koreans. They had the right to use all kinds of colors, which often played an informational role when meeting with friends. For example, only women with one son could wear a deep blue color.

Commoners were forbidden to use bright colors: their Korean national costume was replete with shades of gray and beige. On holidays poor people could allow some color variety - pink and green colors. But she always had very pale shades in contrast to the pure and rich colors of the hanbok aristocrats.

From what material were sewn hanbok?

The Korean national costume was most often sewn from mixed cotton fabrics. They were well worn in the hot season, in other seasons the clothing of their silk was common. But only the rich could afford such diversity. The basic population of Korea wore hanbok from simple cotton or hemp.

Women's hanbok: details

It is worth noting that for the entire history of its existence, folk costume has changed only its length and design elements. In general terms, it remained holistic, which speaks of its extreme convenience, which to this day proud Koreans. The top shirt of chogori has always been short enough, in the traditional version it reaches the waist. But at different times its length has changed significantly. For example, in the eighteenth century the chogori turned into a kind of top, barely covering the chest. In some provinces, it did not leave the breast open, indicating that the woman had children.

Chhima also did not always have the present form of the bell. Under the influence of Mongolian and Chinese culture, the skirt from the seventeenth century began to expand to the hips and narrow to the feet. In the nineteenth century, this form of chhimas reached its maximum expansion and began to gradually acquire a more traditional look. Now the skirt of the national costume begins immediately under the breast and expands to the floor. Tapes of otkorym initially were very narrow, but over time they began to make a contrast to chogori on the color of the fabric to create an additional design element from them.

Hanbok: men's suit

Hanbok for men almost did not undergo serious changes. Chogori and pagi were often sewn from a fabric of different colors, which made it possible to create unique combinations and combinations. In the men's suit, chogori comes to the middle of the thigh and has a loose cut, unlike the fitted female version.

As outerwear, men often wore not only the already mentioned pho, but also mahodzhu - a jacket without sleeves and a detachable collar. It was customary to wear it over top of it and not button it. This element of clothing came to the Korean culture thanks to the Mongolian princesses. But several years later, it has grown so much with 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 clothing

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

It is hard to imagine at least one celebration in Korea, which would have cost no national costume. Absolutely all Koreans love him without exception. And it's not surprising because in addition to beauty hanbok is characterized by an unusual convenience and practicality. Therefore, if you happen to visit South Korea, be sure to bring from there as a souvenir hanbok. With it, you can make an unforgettable impression on any party.