Korean Traditional Doll - The Gisang ( Red HanBok )

Hanbok, Korean Traditional Costume.

 Hanbok, Korean traditional costume, reflects the culture of Korea. The woman's hanbok consists of juogori, a blouse, and a skirt called chima.

 The man's hanbok consists of a longer jeogori and baggy pants called baji. Like much of Korean art, the hanbok is characterized by curves, flowing lines, and plenty of blank spaces.

 There is a reason why the hanbok covers almost the whole body. Confucianism has ruled the Korean minds for much of the country's history. The hanbok reflects these traditional values, and the various types of haboks reflect the social staus of the wearers.

 The long white overcoat has long symbolized the dignity of the traditional gentleman. Noble women of the Joseon period wore long coats called jangot. Whenever they went out, it was considered polite for a woman not to show her face in public.

 Colors also showed social status and personal background. Common people were dressed in white except for seasonal festivals or special events, when they were dressed in the hanbok made of bright primary colors. The ruling class, on the other hand, often wore primary colors.

 Unmarried women trsditionally wore yellow jeogori and red chima, an attractive combination. After marriage, the color of a woman's ceremonial costume showed her husband's social status. Interestingly the Korean traditional costume reflects perhaps a belief that the clothes do, in fact, make the man or woman.