Bokgeon (Boy’s hat)
Hats of this type were worn by Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), but later they were more often worn by boys. In patriarchal and patrilineal Joseon, the birth of a son was not only desired but essential to preserve family lineage and secure power, particularly for an upper-class family. Boys wore colorful outfits with hats such as this for elaborate birthday festivities, a tradition that continues today for hundred-day and first-birthday celebrations. Long ties wrapped behind the head to secure the hat. The stylized characters and motifs in gold leaf convey auspicious sentiments of blessings and longevity.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
