Our National Identity 'Hanbok Lifestyle' Designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Certain Holders or Holding Organizations Are Not Recognized

The long-standing tradition of 'Hanbok Life' is now managed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the 20th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it has designated 'Hanbok Life' as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and will support academic research and programs to revitalize transmission so that the public can participate in sharing and passing on its value. The related skills and arts are widely shared, so no specific holders or holder groups have been recognized. Similar forms of intangible cultural heritage include Arirang, tea ceremony, Ssireum (Korean wrestling), Haenyeo (female divers), Kimchi making, salt production, Ondol culture, jang (fermented sauce) making, traditional fishing methods (fish traps), archery, ginseng cultivation and medicinal culture, Makgeolli brewing, rice cake making, and mudflat fishing.

'Hanbok Life' is a traditional lifestyle custom and knowledge that has represented the identity and values of our people. Its scope has been expanded from 'Wearing Hanbok,' which was announced for designation last March. It now includes the culture of enjoyment such as etiquette, formalities, rituals, customs, and games that require manners and formality. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "'Wearing Hanbok' could be misunderstood as simply the act of wearing Hanbok, so the name was changed to 'Hanbok Life.'"

Hanbok attire in a photo taken by American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews

'Hanbok Life' is passed down mainly within family communities. It continues to be practiced not only during holidays like Seollal and Chuseok but also at first birthday parties, weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites. Although the frequency and scope are decreasing, the foundation of dressing properly as a form of respect is steadily maintained. Before the modern industrial society, housewives sewed and mended clothes by hand. Especially during holidays like Seollal and Chuseok, new fabric was purchased to make clothes, called 'Seolbim,' 'Chuseokbim,' and 'Dano-bim.' The Cultural Heritage Administration emphasized, "For our people, Hanbok is not just clothing but an important medium to pray for the well-being of the family community and to show respect."

Ceremonial Robes for Ancestral Rites during Holidays

It is confirmed that Hanbok was worn even in ancient times through Goguryeo tomb murals, Silla clay figurines (toyu), and Chinese historical records. The basic structure of clothing consisting of pants and jeogori (jacket) and skirt and jeogori was completed during the Three Kingdoms period. Based on indigenous clothing culture, it evolved and developed, and by the Joseon Dynasty, the typical form of clothing was established. The transition to a mixed culture of Hanbok and Western clothing occurred after the 'Civil Officials' Dress Regulations' were promulgated in April 1900. Civil officials began wearing Western-style formal attire. The term 'Hanbok' is said to have been used since 1876 with the opening of trade and cultural exchange. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "It is difficult to pinpoint exactly who first used the term and when," but explained, "Through the 1881 'Seungjeongwon Ilgi' entry mentioning 'Joseon clothing' and the 1894 Japanese newspaper article mentioning 'Hanbok,' it is understood that Hanbok embodied the lifestyle culture, social structure, and national spirit of our people at that time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.