Styles and titles in the Joseon dynasty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

During the Joseon Dynasty royal titles and styles (forms of address) had been extensive and complex. The general title of the king was wang (왕, 王), while Gojong of Korea crowned himself hwangje (황제, 皇帝), or emperor, a title that was only allowed for Chinese emperors.[1] Official titles came with official forms of address, depending on who the addressee was and by whom he or she was addressed.

Royal family[]

Naming[]

Rulers in Korea (following Chinese customs) had several names, changing with their titles. Sons were given children's names, and when they were appointed crown prince, they were given an adult name and the crown prince name. When they became king, they were addressed as such, personal names were not used. After the death of a king, he was given several names. One is the temple name (묘호, 廟號, myoho), which he was given when his spirit tablet was placed at Jongmyo Shrine. This is the name by which historians usually refer to Joseon kings. The myoho could end in either jo (조, 祖, "progenitor") or jong (종, 宗, "ancestor"). The preceding syllable was an adjective suitable for the king. The other name was the posthumous name (시호, 諡號, siho). This is a longer name, made up of adjectives characteristic of the king's rule.[2][3][4] For example, Gyeongjong of Joseon's posthumous name was King Gyeongjong Gaggong Deogmun Igmusun Inseonhyo the Great (경종각공덕문익무순인선효대왕, 恪恭德文翼武純仁宣孝大王), while his temple name was Gyeongjong (경종, 景宗).

Titles and styles[]

Forms of address were combined with names, titles or both, for example:

  • jusang jeonha (His Majesty the King)
  • jungjeon mama (Her Royal Highness the Queen)
  • seja jeoha (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince)
  • daegun daegam (His Excellency the Grand Prince)
  • Gongju agissi [in childhood] (Her Young Highness the Princess) then gongju mama [in adulthood] (Her Royal Highness the Princess)
Title Forms of address Explanation
English Revised Romanization Hangul Hanja RR Hangul Hanja
Monarch
King Wang[5]
Jusang[6]
Imgeum[5]
Narannim[7]
Gukwang[8]
Geumsang[9]
Sanggam[10]
Daejeon[11]
Gwain[12]

Gukwang

Jewang

Naratnim

왕
주상
임금
나랏님
국왕
금상
상감
대전
과인

국왕

제왕

나랏님

王
主上
–
–
國王
今上
上監
大

寡人 國王

帝王

亲爱的

Jeonha 전하 殿下 The King, the current monarch. He was addressed in different ways depending on the speaker and the situation.
Predecessor King Sangwang 상왕[13] 上王 Jeonha 전하 殿下 Former King, a yet living king who has voluntarily abdicated to the current king.
Grand King Former Taesangwang 태상왕[14] 太上王 Jeonha 전하 殿下 Grand King Former, an abdicated king whose relinquishment of power precedes that of another former king.
Grand Predecessor King Seondaewang

Seonwang

선대왕[15]선왕 先大王

先王

Mama 마마 媽媽 Great Predecessor King, a deceased king's title and form of address. See also: Daewang
Great King Daewang 대왕[16] 大王 Mama 마마 媽媽 Great King, deceased former king, see also: Seondaewang
Main consort of monarch
Queen Wangbi

Junggungjeon
Jungjeon

Gukmo

Naejeon

왕비[17]중궁전
중전[18]

국모

내전

王妃

中宮殿
中殿

國母

內殿

Mama 마마 媽媽 Queen consort, the main consort of the current king.
Grand Queen Former Taesangwangbi 태상왕비[14] 太上王妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 Queen consort of a Taesangwang
Queen Dowager Daebi 대비[19] 大妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 It used to be the short form of Wangdaebi, but later became a lower rank.
Royal Queen Dowager Wangdaebi

Jajeon

Jaseon

왕대비[20]자전

자선

王大妃

慈殿

慈聖

Mama 마마 媽媽 Used to be the same rank as Queen Dowager, but later became a higher rank.
Grand Royal Queen Dowager Daewangdaebi 대왕대비[21] 大王大妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 Current king's grandmother.
Queen Wanghu 왕후[22] 王后 Mama 마마 媽媽 A queen's posthumous title.
Parents of monarch
Grand Internal

Prince

Daewongun 대원군[23] 大院君 Mama 마마 媽媽 When a king's father was not himself king before, he was given this title.
Grand

Internal Princess Consort

Budaebuin 부대부인[24] 府大夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Wife of a Daewongun
Internal Prince Buwongun 부원군[25] 府院君 Daegam 대감 大監 The queen consort's father, translates roughly to "Prince" and his form of address as "His lordship".
Internal Princess Consort Bubuin 부부인 府夫人 The queen consort's mother.
Monarch's descendant and their main consorts
Prince Royal Wonja 원자[26] 元子 Mama 마마 媽媽 Title and form of address of the king's eldest son, before he is appointed crown prince.
Crown Prince Wangseja
Seja
Donggung

Gukbon

왕세자[27]
세자[27]
동궁[28]

국본

王世子
世子
東宮

國本

Jeoha
Jeoha
Mama

Mama

저하
저하
마마

마마

邸下
邸下
媽媽

媽媽

The son of the king who appointed as heir to the throne.
Crown Princess Wangsejabin
Sejabin
Bingung

Taenyeo

왕세자빈[29]
세자빈[29]
빈궁[30]태녀 		王世子嬪
世子嬪
嬪宮

胎儿

Mama 마마 媽媽 Crown princess consort, main consort of the heir to the throne.
Crown Prince Wangseje 왕세제[31] 王世弟 Jeoha 저하 邸下 The king's brother when appointed as heir
Crown Princess Wangsejebin 왕세제빈 王世弟嬪 Mama 마마 媽媽 Consort of the King's brother who's appointed as heir
Grand Heir Wangseson 왕세손[32] 王世孫 Hapa 합하 閤下 The crown prince's eldest son.
Grand Heir Consort Wangsesonbin 왕세손빈 王世孫嬪 Mama 마마 媽媽 The crown prince's eldest son's consort
Grand Prince Daegun 대군[33] 大君 Daegam 대감 大監 Grand prince, the son of the king and queen consort, not entitled to be crown prince.
Grand Princess Consort Bubuin 부부인[34] 府夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Wife of a Grand Prince
Royal Prince Gun
Wangja 		군[35]
왕자 		君
王子 		Daegam 대감 大監 Prince, the son of the king and a concubine, or the king's grandson born from a Grand Prince. They were addressed as wangja before adulthood.
Princess Consort Gunbuin 군부인[36] 郡夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Wife of a prince addressed as "Gun".
Princess Gongju

Wangnyeo

공주[37]왕녀 公主

王女

Agissi
Mama 		아기씨
마마 		–
媽媽 		Princess, the daughter of the king and queen consort. Agissi was used in childhood, Mama was used in adulthood.
Prince Consort Uibin 의빈 儀賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 The King's son-in-law, the husband of a Gongju.
Princess Ongju

Wangnyeo

옹주[38]왕녀 翁主

王女

Agissi
Mama 		아기씨
마마 		–
媽媽 		Princess, the daughter of the king and concubine.
Prince Consort Seungbin 승빈 承賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 The King's son-in-law, the husband of a Ongju.
Princess Gunju 군주 郡主 Agissi

Mama

아기씨
마마 		-

媽媽

Princess, the daughter of the Crown Prince and his wife.
Prince Consort Bubin 부빈 副賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 The Crown Prince's son-in-law, the husband of a Gunju.
Princess Hyeonju 현주 縣主 Agissi

Mama

아기씨
마마 		-

媽媽

Princess, the daughter of the Crown Prince and his concubine.
Prince Consort Cheombin 첨빈 僉賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 The Crown Prince's son-in-law, the husband of a Hyeonju.

Consorts and concubines[]

See also: Naemyeongbu

Consorts and concubines of the king in the harem (hugung, 후궁/ 後宮) had a certain rank, according to which their titles and forms of address were formulated.[citation needed] Titles came with the form of address of mama My Lady(마마 / 媽媽). Noble Consorts "Your Highness".

Ranks in order after the queen consort:

Comparance English Hangul Hanja Revised romanization Rank
Consorts (bi, 비)
used until the publishing of Gyeonggukdaejeon, also in the Korean Empire Noble Consort 귀비 貴妃 Gwibi senior 1 (정1품)[39]
used until the publishing of Gyeonggukdaejeon, also in the Korean Empire Pure Consort 숙비 淑妃 Sukbi
used until the publishing of Gyeonggukdaejeon, also in the Korean Empire Primary Consort 원비 元妃 Wonbi
used until the publishing of Gyeonggukdaejeon, also in the Korean Empire Virtiuous Consort 덕비 德妃 Deokbi
used until the publishing of Gyeonggukdaejeon, also in the Korean Empire Worthy Consort 현비 賢妃 Hyeonbi
Concubines (Gwibin, 귀빈)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Imperial Concubine 빈 嬪 Bin[40] senior 1 (정1품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Noble Lady 귀인 貴人 Gwiin junior 1 (종1품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Deportment 소의 昭儀 Soui senior 2 (정2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Ceremony 숙의 淑儀 Sukui junior 2 (종2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Countenance 소용 昭容 Soyong senior 3 (정3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Countenance 숙용 淑容 Sukyeong junior 3 (종3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Beauty 소원 昭媛 Sowon senior 4 (정4품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Beauty 숙원 淑媛 Sukwon junior 4 (종4품)
Crown prince's concubines[41]
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Excellence 양제 良娣 Yangje junior 2 (종2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Beauty 양원 良媛 Yangwon junior 3 (종3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Inherent Excellence 승휘 承徽 Seunghwi junior 4 (종4품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Clear Instruction 소훈 昭訓 Sohun junior 5 (종5품)

Royal court[]

Gungnyeo
Hangul Hanja Revised Romanization Rank
Court ladies (Gungnyeo, 궁녀)[42]
상궁 尙宮 Sanggung senior 5 (정5품)
상의 尙儀 Sangui
상복 尙服 Sangbok junior 5 (종5품)
상식 尙食 Sangsik
상침 尙寢 Sangchim senior 6 (정6품)
상공 尙功 Sanggong
상정 尙正 Sangjeong junior 6 (종6품)
상기 尙記 Sanggi
전빈 典賓 Jeonbin senior 7 (정7품)
전의 典衣 Jeoni
전선 典膳 Jeonseon
전설 典設 Jeonseol junior 7 (종7품)
전제 典製 Jeongje
전언 典言 Jeoneon
전찬 典贊 Jeonchan senior 8 (정8품)
전식 典飾 Jeonshik
전약 典藥 Jeonyak
전등 典燈 Jeondeung junior 8 (종8품)
전채 典彩 Jeonchae
전정 典正 Jeonjeong
주궁 奏宮 Jugung senior 9 (정9품)
주상 奏商 Jusang
주각 奏角 Jugak
주변징 奏變徵 Jubyeonjing junior 9 (종9품)
주징 主徵 Jujing
주우 奏羽 Juu
주변궁 奏變宮 Jubyeongung
Eunuchs (, 내시)[43]
상선 尙膳 Sangseon junior 2 (종2품)
상온 尙醞 Sangon senior 3 (정3품)
상다 尙茶 Sangda
상약 尙藥 Sangyak junior 3 (종3품)
상전 尙傳 Sangjeon senior 4 (정4품)
상책 尙冊) Sangchaek junior 4 (종4품)
상호 尙弧 Sangho senior 5 (정5품)
상탕 尙帑 Sangtang junior 5 (종5품)
상세 尙洗 Sangse senior 6 (정6품)
상촉 尙燭 Sangchok junior 6 (종6품)
상훼 尙煊 Sanghwe senior 7 (정7품)
상설 尙設 Sangseol junior 7 (종7품)
상제 尙除 Sangje senior 8 (정8품)
상문 尙門 Sangmun junior 8 (종8품)
상경 尙更 Sanggyeong senior 9 (정9품)
상원 尙苑 Sangwon junior 9 (종9품)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Ian Mladjov. "KOREA (HANGUK/JOSEON)" (pdf). University of Michigan. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  2. ^ "Rediscovering aesthetics of Jongmyo Shrine". Korea Times. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  3. ^ "Korea: Notes". archontology.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  4. ^ "조선시대 국왕호칭의 종류와 의미 The Kinds and Meaning of King's Name in the Chosun Dynasty". 역사와경계 (in English and Korean). NRF (52): 46–67. 2004. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  6. ^ "주상" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  7. ^ "나랏님" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  8. ^ "국왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  9. ^ "금상" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  10. ^ "상감" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  11. ^ "대전" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  12. ^ The king used to address himself this way. "과인" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  13. ^ "상왕" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "태상왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  15. ^ "선대왕" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  16. ^ "대왕" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  17. ^ "왕비" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  18. ^ "중전" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  19. ^ "대비" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  20. ^ "왕대비". National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  21. ^ "대왕대비" (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  22. ^ "왕후" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  23. ^ "대원군" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  24. ^ "부대부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  25. ^ "부원군" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  26. ^ "원자" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "왕세자" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  28. ^ "동궁" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "왕세자빈" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  30. ^ "빈궁" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  31. ^ "왕세제" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  32. ^ "왕세손" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  33. ^ "대군" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  34. ^ "부부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  35. ^ "군" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  36. ^ "군부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  37. ^ "공주" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  38. ^ "옹주" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  39. ^ "정일품" (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  40. ^ Had several different versions, like 희빈 (Huibin) / 숙빈 (Sukbin) / 경빈 (Gyeongbin) / 창빈 (Changbin) / 선빈 (Seonbin) etc.
  41. ^ "궁인직" (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  42. ^ "궁녀" (in Korean). Britannica Korea via Daum. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  43. ^ "내시부" (in Korean). Britannica Korea via Daum. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
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