The color of royalty in Korea has long been an important symbol of status, wealth, and power. Throughout Korea’s dynastic history, certain colors were reserved exclusively for the royal family as a visual marker of their supreme rank. Understanding the colors associated with Korean royalty provides insight into the culture and traditions surrounding the monarchy.
In Korea, the most prominent color associated with royalty is red. Red symbolized prosperity, virtue, and authority, making it the quintessential color to represent the prestige of the throne. However, there were also other colors that denoted noble status. Gold and purple also carried strong regal meanings. Over time, as dynasties changed, so too did the specific hues used by the royal court. Exploring both the consistent themes and evolving shades offers a glimpse into the colors of royalty in Korea.
The Significance of Red in Korean Royal Culture
Red is strongly linked to Korean royalty due to its auspicious connotations in Korean culture. The color red signifies good fortune, success, passion, and power. It is a bold, intense shade that commands attention and respect.
For the royal family, red represented their wish for the prosperity and longevity of the kingdom. Only the king and other royals were permitted to wear vibrant red garments and accessories. Red was seen as invoking the energy of the sun, connecting the royals to vitality and strength.
In Korean tradition, red also represents characteristics desired in a good ruler – boldness, vigor, and wisdom. When ancient Korean kings oversaw ceremonies or met foreign emissaries, red robes and headgear amplified their authority and nobility as supreme leaders. Their striking red attire conveyed that they possessed the qualities necessary to govern fairly and justly.
Not only in clothing, but red imagery appeared in many aspects of royal culture. Red phoenixes and dragons were common royal motifs, symbolizing honor and blessing. The red phoenix was also intricately linked to the concept of imperial virtue and power. Red flags lined palace walls and crimson paint decorated throne rooms – constantly surrounding the king with the auspicious color.
As red was permitted solely to royalty, any common people who dared to wear true crimson risked harsh punishment. Only those of highest rank could don the full splendor of red. However, as modernity changed social rules, red is now a ubiquitous color across Korea rather than being reserved for royalty.
The Regal Heritage of Gold in Korean History
Along with red, gold is one of the original colors of royalty in Korea. The use of gold can be traced back to the ancient Korean kingdoms, where gold represented the unmatched wealth and divinity of the rulers. Gold conveys luxury and prosperity – ideal attributes for Korea’s all-powerful monarchs.
Gold had strong solar associations, linking Korea’s kings to the unparalleled brilliance of the sun. By adorning themselves in gold accessories and surfaces, royals sought to amplify their own glowing royal persona and prestige. The dazzling sheen of gold embodied their exalted status above common people.
In the Goryeo dynasty, which ruled Korea from 918 to 1392, gold was considered the epitome of beauty and was heavily incorporated into royal attire and architecture. The dragon robe worn by kings was brilliant gold, as were the headpieces, belts, and ceremonial items used in rituals. The heaviest use of gold demonstrated the peak influence of the royal family.
Continuing into the Joseon dynasty from 1392 to 1897, gold remained a staple of royal fashion and décor. However, Joseon kings opted for more understated dark blue and red hanbok robes layered with fine gold embroidery, moving away from ostentatious gold alone. Gold accessories such as crowns, earrings, and belts maintained their place conveying nobility. Contemporary royals today still incorporate discreet gold accents into formal royal dress.
Beyond clothing, gold adorned palace rooms to communicate the eminence of the space. architectures high walls and furniture
Gold conveys wealth and glory across cultures, but in Korea it held particular importance for amplifying royal prestige and might within a dynasty. The dazzling sheen of gold exemplified royalty like no other color.
Purple as a Mark of Honor and Authority
In addition to red and gold, the color purple, in various hues, also signified nobility in Korea. Purple represents honor, wisdom, dignity, and creativity. While not as intrinsically linked to royalty as red, purple has emerged over history as a color with its own royal symbolism.
During the Goryeo dynasty, deeper purple shades were used for the attire of top-ranking officials and royalty. The depth of purple denoted higher status, with lighter violets reserved for lower officers. Deep purple was difficult to produce dye, so wearing the richer hue displayed greater prestige.
However, according to some records, only the Goryeo emperor could wear a true violet shade – called nakrang – while all other royals were limited to lighter, reddish purples. The emperor alone held the supreme rank to don the richest shade.
In the Joseon dynasty, purple maintained a noble status, though it was not strictly limited to royalty. Different hues came in and out of fashion as secondary colors to gold and blue hanbok robes throughout Joseon rule. Purple continues to appear occasionally as an accent color in contemporary royal dress in Korea, often layered with gold accessories or embroidery.
Beyond clothing, purple also adorned palace architecture and decorations. Purple paint and roof tiles added splashes of imperial purple to key palaces. Purple colors the columns of Gyeongbokgung Palace’s main throne hall to this day.
So while purple rarely stood alone as a royal color, in gradations from pale violet to deep purple, it added extra dimension and prestige. The rarity and expense of quality dyes rendered purple a lasting, if secondary, shade of nobility.
Evolution of Royal Colors Across Dynasties
While red, gold, and purple form the basis of royal color symbolism in Korea, the specific hues attributed to royalty have evolved across different eras. Not every dynasty used the exact same shades to convey nobility, allowing for shifting tastes and new dye technologies over time. Examining how royal colors transferred across dynasties reveals nuances in the culture surrounding monarchy.
During the Silla kingdom from 57 BCE to 935 CE – one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms – rulers wore bright golden yellow and deep crimson red robes. However, when the Goryeo dynasty supplanted Silla as the rulers of Korea in 918 CE, royal colors changed to golden yellow paired with a burgundy purple shade, moving away from Silla red.
Clothing edicts declared that no one but the emperor could wear yellow or deep purple. As yellow silk was rare and expensive, common people tended to wear white or pale pinks. This demonstrated how alleigances shifted with each new lineage – colors quickly realigned to elevate the new Goryeo emperors.
The Joseon dynasty that emerged in 1392 brought new royal garment colors that drew inspiration from previous eras while adding their own flair. Blue became the primary royal color due to the expensive pigments needed for the vibrant blue, but bold reds and muted purples were still incorporated as secondary hues.
Throughout Joseon rule, royal colors experienced subtle shifts as aesthetic tastes evolved over 500 years. Different kings and cultural influences brought in diverse color combinations before settling on rich blue and red hanbok by the 1800s. This willingness to change demonstrated the flexibility expected of royal traditions.
In the modern era, royal dress hearkens back to historic colors and motifs while allowing for contemporary updates. Kings wear military uniforms along with elegant red, blue, and gold hanbok for state occasions. While ancient in origin, the colors of royalty continue adapting to the spirit of the times.
Conclusion
The colors attributed to Korean royalty reveal close links between aesthetic traditions and dynastic culture. Red, purple, and gold arose as royal colors due to the materials rareness, visual allure, and cultural symbolism. Red embodied ideas of prosperity, passion, and wisdom desired in a just ruler. Gold exemplified the sun-like glory and wealth of the royal lineage. Purple conveyed honor and creativity.
While specific hues and combinations evolved across Korea’s history as different dynasties rose to power, the underlying regal meanings persisted. The colors maintained their role as a mark of supreme status and virtue. Even as Korea transformed into a modern society, traditional royal hues remain embedded in national culture and identity. From ancient kingdoms to contemporary democracy, the vibrant colors of Korean royalty continue to signify a lineage of noble power and heritage.
| Korean Dynasty | Time Period | Royal Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Silla Kingdom | 57 BCE – 935 CE | Yellow, red |
| Goryeo Dynasty | 918 CE – 1392 | Yellow, burgundy purple |
| Joseon Dynasty | 1392 – 1897 | Blue, red, purple |
