A Study on Arguments over the Light Pink Color of Official Uniforms in the Joseon Dynasty (Part I)

Abstract

This study investigates when and why the light pink Dan-ryoung appeared as part of the official uniform of the Joseon Dynasty and which official uniform used the light pink color. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, books written by scholars, and related laws were used as research materials. The following results were obtained by analyzing the arguments of kings and officials on light pink uniforms and laws related to official uniforms. 1. Red was the color of the king as well as the color of Dang-sang-gwan's Gong-bok (one of the official uniforms). 2. The colors such as To-hong, Dam-hong, Do-hong, Bun-hong, Cheon-hong that appeared in Sang-bok (among official uniforms) were relatively lighter than red. 3. To-hong started to be used in Sang-bok at the time of King Se-jong and was used at the time of King Seong-jong in Sang-bok because it was the preferred color. 4. In the Joseon Dynasty, safflower (the basis of red color dye) was cultivated extensively; in addition, people liked red dyeing because it was relatively easy apply; subsequently, a ban on red dyeing was continually issued. 5. Kings Se-jong and Jung-jong ordered officials to use Do-hong and Bun-hong to distinguish the red color of the king. After Im-jin-oe-ran, Cheon-hong was officially designated the color of Sang-bok. 6. The reasons why Dam-hong was used in official uniforms were twofold: the preference for red-like colors and the influence of the Confucian hierarchy to distinguish the king.

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