The variety of their symbolic meaning is formed from their ecological features, added with society’s history, culture, and environmental factors. The symbolic meaning of animal patterns in cultural heritage often takes place at a specific object or its authority. These tend to be employed for th...

Cosmetic containers have been at the center of Korea’s cosmetic culture since the Three Kingdoms period. They have been made with diverse materials during each age, and evolved in various forms according to cosmetics or cosmetic materials contained. While powder and soap-powder were contained in ...

Often found in travel essays by foreigners who visited Korea during the end of the Korean Empire is high praise for Joseon’s distinctive, diverse headgear culture. To their blue eyes, Joseon headgear appeared interesting and fresh. So, they called Joseon the ‘kingdom of headwear’ or ‘heaven of h...

Hair styles reflect an age’s characteristics. A hair style modified and evolved in accord with social situations can manifest people’s thought and the situations of the time. In the late Joseon period, women decorated their chignon by employing a variety of ways. As a result, hair knickknacks su...

The criteria ancient people had for evaluating the beauty of flowers and trees were not their natural attributes, such as their colors, appearances, or smell. Based on the principles and truth of human affairs, flowers and trees offered symbolic meaning, thereby setting humanity’s standards of l...

Incense is used widely in various fields, and has many social roles, regardless of race or region. Originally it was associated with only religious activities, but has been absorbed gradually into everyday culture around the world. And it retains a lofty goal, more than mere scent, away from the...

The life of ancestors of late Joseon Dynasty can be grasped through literature, folk materials, and ancient art. Among them, painting describes the life of ancestors most realistically. Especially a man’s important life events are remarkably shown in ancient history figurative paintings, portra...

Before a bronze mirror is used as a makeup tool, it was manufactured as a symbolic implement for either a sky or a dignity, that is similar to a sky. It is confirmed through bronze blades and grave goods which are found together with bronze mirrors in old mounds and the prehistoric ruins. Moreo...