Hanbok is a traditional clothing in North and South Korea, it contains Jeogori (Jacket) and Chima (skirt). You might be tempted to think that Hanboks only purpose was to shelter its owner from the cold, and you couldn’t be more wrong. Much like Korean Hats in Joseon dynasty, hanbok communicated number of messages about its wearer and even conveyed hidden wishes and desires.

Traditional hanboks featured mostly primary colours (red, yellow, green, blue, white) the colours were arranged based on the wearer’s social and marital status. For example, red and indigo silk hanboks were sure signs of nobility and white and pale coloured cotton Hanboks belonged to the peasants and farmers.

Thus, we prepared a little guide to help you find and decipher the clues left on your ladies Hanbok.

Yellow and Red Hanbok

If the girl you cast your eye upon is sporting a yellow and red Hanbok, you, my fellow, are in luck. She is most certainly single and ready to mingle. Not only is she single, but also no commoner, the rich hues of her hanbok suggest a dowry in the chest. Strike up that conversation and take her on that well chaperoned date. If you are on a look-out for an heir for your noble estate, inspect the Hanbok sleeves for embroidery, if you spot bats or pomegranates, she is on the same wavelength and your desire for children is mutual. Better strike up that conversation before she is snapped up!

Green and Red/ Blue and Red Hanbok

A woman of your dreams casually strolling in green and red hanbok? Bad luck fellow, not only is she married but also most likely one of the nobilities. And yes, she may have perfect balance of wit and beauty, but we suggest to stay away from this young woman if you don’t want to steer some marital issues or admire her from afar like the rest of the unfortunate folk. Her friend in Blue and red Hanbok is no better option, she is probably a married woman of a noble family and likely a mother to a son.

Gold coloured and heavily embroidered Hanbok

Did you set your eyes on a lady with colourful and heavily embroidered Hanbok? Well, we must break it to you, she is no ordinary girl. She might be princess or a queen even, be cautious when courting women of this rank, they may be elegant and intelligent, but your courting might attract death threats from her powerful spouse. Make sure to carefully inspect her embroidery, if it has lotus flowers, butterflies, or cranes on it, she might be a princess, and perhaps even single? In that case, you may try to ooze her with your charms and noble tittles. However, if you spot phoenixes and dragons, stay away from her before experiencing Kings wrath.

White or light pink Hanbok

White and pink Hanbok unfortunately might mean that the lady of your choice is of little means, a peasant or a farmer’s daughter. No big dowry in store, but do not be put off, she may equal in beauty to a princess and may even surpass the nobility in common sense. Her aptitude and charm will not leave you disappointed.

I hope you find our guide if not useful in the modern day and age, then at least entertaining and somewhat helpful in guiding you through colourful world of hanboks displayed in historical K-Dramas. If you get a chance to visit South Korea, do not miss an opportunity to try out a Hanbok at the Royal Palace (Geyongbokgung) in Seoul and make sure to select one most closely matching your status!

Author: Egle Poceviciute

Secrets behind Korean Hanbok

Why is Namsan Tower famous?

K-cinema review: Miss Baek