Norigae

Terminology

The word ko originally referred to "pretty and playful objects" or "favourite trinkets" signifying women's liking for the tassel charm regardless of social ranks.

History

Origins

The exact origins of the ko are unknown, but the current knotting tassel known as ko can be traced back to the Joseon dynasty and was an item worn exclusively by the Joseon. It is also difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the ko started to be widely used.

Some sources state that the ko might have been a protective emblem called ko used in primitive shamanism and was worn initially by children*.* However, the true archetype of ko appears to be the waist pendant worn in the Silla period.

Joseon

In Joseon, all women of different classes wore the ko from queens to commoners. The ko also served to distinguish social ranks and social status. Different shapes and sizes signified the different occasions the ko was worn to as well as which season to wear it in. The ko could also be used as a chest or a waist decorations.

Composition

The ko is composed by three basic parts: the main ornament, elaborate knots, the tassel on the lowest part. A ko can be divided into 4 parts: the ko () which is a hook (either a separate accessory or additional knots) to attach the ko to the ko, the ko () which is the main ornament of the ko, the ko () which are the knots of the ko, and the ko () which are the tassels.

The ko can be categorize to sizes, large, medium and small according to the person who wears the ko or places at. For example, the ko for infant will be much smaller one than adult's. In Joseon Dynasty, the King Yeonsangun used the luxuriousness and sizes of ko to classify the social rank of his women.

The ko have various shapes derived from nature or from everyday life. They are divided into ko () and ko (). The ko can be further divided into the ko and the ko. Both the ko and the ko have the same form, but each one's ko is different.

Main Ornament

The main ornament, ko, for making ko is usually using gold, silver, jewels, and precious stone.

The motifs of main ornament are cut down into 5 basic branches, such as animal, plants, daily objects, characters, and religious symbols. For example, some auspicious characters include the Chinese character, ko 《壽》 which represents longevity. The religious symbols are typically motifs that represents Buddhism.

Knots

The ko uses coloured cord to braid into various shapes. The type of knot has to follow the design of main ornament. The big size of the main ornament parts will combine with small knots. The small main ornament comes along with large knots. The types of knots have to match the whole weight the ko is going to be.

Tassel

The ko, which are tassels, are made out of colored silk thread and placed at the lower parts.

{{Transliteration|ko|Ddidon}}

Similar items

• zh – a Chinese fashion item used to decorate the lapel of Chinese upper garments
• zh – a Chinese fashion item made of zh which were used as waist accessories, commonly referred as zh

References

References

1. "Use of Norigae". Global Encyclopedia / Daum.
2. "Norigae". Korean Britannica Online.
3. Solheim, Emma. "Norigae 상세보기{{!}}Citizen JournalistsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway".
4. (2015). "Ethnic dress in the United States: a cultural encyclopedia". Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
5. Lee, Kyung Ja. (March 15, 2005). "Norigae: Splendor of the Korean Costume". Ewha Woman's University Press.