Threads of Defiance: Hanbok and Korea’s Independence Movement
- Grace H V
- May 19
- 16 min read
Updated: May 29
By Grace Hahn
Hanbok
The word hanbok (한복) combines “han” (한), meaning “Korean,” and “bok” (복), meaning “clothing.” Although the term itself emerged in the 19th century, the tradition of distinctively Korean dress stretches back much further. Since the Buyeo Kingdom (4th century BC to 494 AD), Koreans have worn primarily white clothing—a color symbolizing sunlight and spiritual purity in an agrarian society where heaven was worshiped. White garments, along with white foods, also played a central role in shamanic rituals.
Traditional hanbok was made from four primary natural fibers: silk, hemp, ramie, and cotton. Evidence of silk production in Korea dates back as far as the Neolithic period (10,000–4,500 BC), highlighting the deep roots of textile craftsmanship on the peninsula.
Korean clothing evolved as an adaptation to the country’s climate, geography, and spiritual values. A key influence on hanbok design was the region’s sitting culture—specifically, the practice of sitting cross-legged, known as yangbandari. Over the centuries, hanbok developed with an emphasis on comfort and elegance for this seated posture, resulting in flowing lines and flexible structure that reflect both practical needs and aesthetic ideals.
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