Hanbok
I have had so little to write for the last couple of days. But back in the early spring I took a bunch of pictures at the Korean National Folk Museum. The museum is in Seoul inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung palace. Entry is free with admission to the palace grounds. So for 3,000 won, or less than $3.00 you can see the palace and the museum. The Hanbok display was part of a temporary exhibit. The museum gets new and exciting exhibitions all the time.
I like all the museums that I have been to in Seoul. They are inexpensive, and very well done
It is a short subway ride from Yongsan Station on line 1. Transfer to line 3 and get off at Gyeongbokgung station. It opens up right at the palace. Go in and keep walking through the palace, the museum is on the right about halfway back.
I love the beauty of the Hanbok.
This is the traditional Korean dress and some people still wear them on holidays and special occasions.
The jacket is separate from the skirt.
This is the underskirt to help hold the outer garment away from the body.
Not only is the garment an opportunity to express individuality, it is practical too. No tiny hobbling skirts like in China or Japan. I don’t think Koreans ever practiced foot binding either. So when I look at these skirts I think, this is an outfit a woman could run in.
Pretty embroidered birds.
I think this one is kind of loud.
But This one is so vibrant that it makes me smile. Can you say Lifesavers?
That is not paint, It is all gold embroidery. Wow!
More beautiful work. The medallions mean things, and certain designs were only worn by royalty.
I wish people dressed like this today. Everything is so westernized though. So the next big holiday I will keep an eye out for colorful clothing. I would love to get some pictures of women walking around in these.
So this was the eye candy for today, I hope you enjoyed it.
Tags: Hanbok
These are very beautiful. Yes, they look freeing as compared with other national costumes. I think of my women students in India when they refused to get up and exercise like the young men during our three hour long classes. Their sari’s would have fallen off leaving them just in their brief top and petticoat. The sari is approximately 6 yards long and along with the petticoat it is quite hot if it is made of polyester as theirs were. Great in the winter but where we were in the desert, the temperature got to 120 F. inside the classroom. We only had slow fans that did little to turn the air. The hanbok looks like a better thing for women and it is so very beautiful.