Clothes and accessories are made from a wide variety of materials. Different areas of Korea are
famous for their specialized fabrics. Hansan, South Chungchong Province, made such famous white
ramie that it was sent to the Tang Chinese court for tribute during the
Koryo period (918 - 1392). Andong hem was
also favored by the yangban (upper class). The materials and manufacturing techniques strongly
mirror Korean culture and society.
 
Fabrics
Because of the diverse weather conditions, clothes have been made from hemp, ramie, cotton muslin,
silk, and satin. Cooler weather demanded heavier fabric, lined with fur in the northern regions,
while summer clothes used thinner materials that allowed breezes to cool the body. In the autumn,
many women would wear clothes of gossamer silk because it gave a rustling sound while walking that
is similar to walking through dry leaves.
Colors
White represents purity, integrity, and chastity, and was the most common color for common clothes.
The upper class and court figures wore clothes in red, yellow, blue, and black in addition to white.
These colors, symbolize the five traditional elements in Oriental cosmology (fire, earth, water, metal,
and wood). Dyes were made from natural materials such as flowers or bark.
Sewing and Embroidery
In traditional times, a woman's skills in sewing and embroidering showed her devotion and caring for
her family. Norigae, a form of Korean macrame, has been a popular
hobby among wives and unmarried girls for years. |
