What is a hanbok?
Quick answer
A hanbok is the traditional Korean dress. For women, it consists of a short jacket called a jeogori and a long, full, high-waisted skirt called a chima; men wear a jeogori with loose trousers called baji.
The parts of a hanbok
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Jeogori | Short jacket, tied at the front with a long ribbon called the goreum |
| Chima | Long, bell-shaped wraparound skirt (women) |
| Baji | Roomy trousers (men) |
| Durumagi | Long overcoat, worn over everything |
| Jokki and magoja | Vest and outer jacket, especially for men |
The high waistline and flowing skirt create the hanbok’s graceful, bell-like shape, which also makes it comfortable for sitting on the floor.
When it’s worn
| Occasion | Tradition |
|---|---|
| Seollal (Lunar New Year) | Children bow to elders and receive money; many wear new hanbok, called seolbim |
| Chuseok (harvest festival) | Family gatherings and visits to ancestors’ graves |
| Weddings | Brides, grooms and mothers often wear hanbok for a traditional ceremony |
| Doljanchi (first birthday) | The baby wears a colorful hanbok |
Colors and meaning
Traditional hanbok uses the obangsaek, five colors representing directions and elements: blue (east), red (south), yellow (center), white (west) and black (north). In the past, bright colors were worn by children and young people, while older people wore softer shades. Royal and noble families wore richer fabrics and embroidery.
A long history
Early forms of hanbok appear in tomb murals from the Three Kingdoms period (around the 1st century BC to 7th century AD). The style most people picture today comes from the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897).
Hanbok today
- Visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul get free entry when wearing hanbok, and many rent one for photos.
- Designers create modern hanbok for everyday wear, and K-pop stars have worn them in music videos and performances.
For Korean food culture, see what kimchi is. For Japan’s traditional garment, see what a kimono is.
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