In traditional Korean society, special clothing was worn for important life rituals and ceremonies. These ceremonial garments visually expressed the nature and meaning of each occasion, playing a crucial role in major rites of passage, namely, coming of age, marriage, funeral, and ancestral rites.

Traditional wedding attire consists of elaborate formal garments for both bride and groom. The bride wears a bridal robe called hwarot or a grand ceremonial dress called wonsam, with a ceremonial headpiece (jokduri) and red ribbon (daenggi) hanging down. The hwarot features rainbow-striped sleeves and ornate embroidery, while the wonsam has long sleeves and an elegant silhouette. The groom wears the attire of a government official (samogwandae) that even commoners were permitted to wear during weddings, symbolizing the importance of this life milestone.

Traditional mourning clothes (sangbok) are worn at funerals to express grief for the deceased. Traditionally, mourners wear simple garments in white or beige tones, with chief mourners wearing specially prepared mourning attire. Ritual garments (jeryebok) for ancestral rites include a wrapped robe called simui, worn during Confucian ceremonies. The name simui means “deep garment,” referring to its enveloping form.

First birthday attire (dolbok) is worn during the first birthday celebration (doljanchi), celebrating a child’s first year. Children wear a jacket (jeogori) with rainbow-striped sleeves and brightly colored skirts or pants, decorated with lucky pouches and accessories. Both the 100-day celebration and first birthday carry wishes for the child’s health and longevity. The 60th birthday celebration (hoegap) also involves specially prepared formal attire.

These ceremonial garments served as cultural expressions marking significant life moments in traditional Korean society, embodying the values and meanings associated with each occasion.