Styles and titles in Joseon
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) until 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 Deokmun Ikmu Sunin Seonhyo the Great (덕문익무순인선효대왕, 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 주상 전하 (His Majesty the King)
- Jungjeon mama 중전 마마 (Her Royal Highness the Queen)
- Seja jeoha 세자 저하 (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince)
- Daegun daegam 대군 대감 (His Excellency the Grand Prince)
- Gongju agassi [in childhood] 공주 아가씨 (Her Young Highness the Princess) then Gongju mama 공주 마마 [in adulthood] (Her Royal Highness the Princess)
Title | Forms of address | Explanation | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Revised Romanization | Hangul | Hanja | RR | Hangul | Hanja | Rank | |
Monarch | ||||||||
King | Wang[5] Jusang[6] Imgeum[5] Narannim[7] Gugwang[8] Geumsang[9] Sanggam[10] Daejeon[11] Gwain[12] Jewang Naratnim |
왕 주상 임금 나랏님 국왕 금상 상감 대전 과인 제왕 나랏님 |
王 主上 – – 國王 今上 上監 大田 寡人 帝王 亲爱的 |
Jeonha | 전하 | 殿下 | None | 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 | None | 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 | None | 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 | None | 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 | None | Great King, deceased former king, see also: Seondaewang |
Main consort of monarch | ||||||||
Queen | Wangbi Jungjeon Gungmo Naejeon |
왕비[17] 중전[18] 국모 내전 |
王妃 中殿 國母 內殿 |
Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | Queen consort, the main consort of the current king. |
Grand Queen Former | Taesangwangbi | 태상왕비[14] | 太上王妃 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | Queen consort of a Taesangwang |
Queen Dowager | Daebi | 대비[19] | 大妃 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | 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 | None | 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 | None | Current king's grandmother. |
Queen | Wanghu | 왕후[22] | 王后 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | A queen's posthumous title. |
Parents of monarch | ||||||||
Grand Internal
Prince |
Daewongun | 대원군[23] | 大院君 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | 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 | Senior 1 (정1품) | Wife of a Daewongun |
Internal Prince | Buwongun | 부원군[25] | 府院君 | Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | None | 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 | – | – | – | Junior 1 (종1품) | The queen consort's mother. |
Monarch's male descendant and their main consorts | ||||||||
Prince Royal | Wonja | 원자[26] | 元子 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | 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 |
None | 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 | None | Crown princess consort, main consort of the heir to the throne. |
Crown Prince | Wangseje | 왕세제[31] | 王世弟 | Jeoha | 저하 | 邸下 | None | The king's brother when appointed as heir |
Crown Princess | Wangsejebin | 왕세제빈 | 王世弟嬪 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | Consort of the King's brother who's appointed as heir |
Grand Heir | Wangseson | 왕세손[32] | 王世孫 | Hapa | 합하 | 閤下 | None | The crown prince's eldest son. |
Grand Heir Consort | Wangsesonbin | 왕세손빈 | 王世孫嬪 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | None | The crown prince's eldest son's consort |
Grand Prince | Daegun | 대군[33] | 大君 | Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | None | 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 | Senior 1 (정1품) | Wife of a Grand Prince |
Royal Prince | Gun Wangja |
군[35] 왕자 |
君 王子 |
Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | None | 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. |
Royal Princess Consort | Gunbuin | 군부인[36] | 郡夫人 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | Senior 1 (정1품) | The wife of a prince whose the son of the King's concubine. |
Prince | Gun | 군 | 君 | Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | Junior 1 (종1품) | Grand Prince's eldest son. |
Princess Consort | Gunbuin | 군부인 | 郡夫人 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | Junior 1 (종1품) | The wife of the Grand Prince's eldest son. |
Prince | Gun | 군 | 君 | Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | Senior 2 (정2품) | The Crown Prince’s other sons, The Grand Prince’s eldest grandson or a Royal Prince’s eldest son |
Princess Consort | Hyeonbuin | 현부인 | 賢夫人 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | Senior 2 (정2품) | The wife of a Gun of the senior second rank. |
Prince | Gun | 군 | 君 | Daegam | 대감 | 大監 | Junior 2 (종2품) | The Crown Prince’s grandsons, Grand Prince’s other sons and eldest great-grandson, Royal Prince’s eldest grandsons |
Princess Consort | Hyeonbuin | 현부인 | 賢夫人 | Mama | 마마 | 媽媽 | Junior 2 (종2품) | The wife of a Gun of the junior second rank |
– | Jeong | 정 | 正 | – | – | – | Senior 3 (정3품) | The Crown Prince’s great-grandsons, Grand Prince’s other grandsons and a Royal Prince’s other sons and eldest great-grandson. |
Cautious Lady | Sinin | 신인 | 慎人 | – | – | – | Senior 3 (정3품) | The wife of a Jeong. |
– | Bujeong | 부정 | 副正 | – | – | – | Junior 3 (종3품) | The Grand Prince’s great-grandsons and a Royal Prince’s other grandsons. |
Cautious Lady | Sinin | 신인 | 慎人 | – | – | – | Junior 3 (종3품) | The wife of a Bujeong. |
– | Su | 수 | 守 | – | – | – | Senior 4 (정4품) | A Royal Prince’s great-grandson, Grand Prince’s illegitimate son with a commoner. |
Benovelent Lady | Hyein | 혜인 | 惠人 | – | – | – | Senior 4 (정4품) | The wife of a Su. |
– | Busu | 부수 | 副守 | – | – | – | Junior 4 (종4품) | A Grand Prince’s illegitimate son with a lowborn, or a Royal Prince’s illegitimate son with a commoner. |
Benovelent Lady | Hyein | 혜인 | 惠人 | – | – | – | Junior 4 (종4품) | The wife of a Busu. |
– | Yeong | 영 | 令 | – | – | – | Senior 5 (정5품) | Royal Prince’s illegitimate son with a lowborn |
Lady | Onin | 온인 | 溫人 | – | – | – | Senior 5 (정5품) | The wife of a Yeong. |
Monarch's female descendants and their consorts | ||||||||
Royal Princess | Gongju Wangnyeo |
공주[37] 왕녀 |
公主 王女 |
Agissi Mama |
아기씨 마마 |
– 媽媽 |
None | 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 | Junior 1 (종1품) | 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 |
None | Princess, the daughter of the king and concubine. |
Prince Consort | Seungbin | 승빈 | 承賓 | Buma | 부마 | 駙馬 | Junior 2 (종2품) | The King's son-in-law, the husband of a Ongju. |
Commandery Princess | Gunju | 군주 | 郡主 | Agissi Mama |
아기씨 마마 |
– 媽媽 |
Senior 2 (정2품) | Princess, the daughter of the Crown Prince and his wife. |
Prince Consort | Bubin | 부빈 | 副賓 | Buma | 부마 | 駙馬 | Senior 3 (정3품) | The Crown Prince's son-in-law, the husband of a Gunju. |
County Princess | Hyeonju | 현주 | 縣主 | Agissi Mama |
아기씨 마마 |
– 媽媽 |
Senior 3 (정3품) | Princess, the daughter of the Crown Prince and his concubine. |
Prince Consort | Cheombin | 첨빈 | 僉賓 | Buma | 부마 | 駙馬 | Junior 3 (종3품) | The Crown Prince's son-in-law, the husband of a Hyeonju. |
Consorts and concubines
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 (마마 / 媽媽).
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 | Virtuous 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 | Royal 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 | Sugui | 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 | Sugyong | 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 | Sugwon | 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
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 | Jeonui | |
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 | Jeonsik | |
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 (naesi, 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) |
Officials
English | Hangul | Hanja | Revised Romanization | Rank | Explenation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Munmugwan (문무관) | |||||
Honorable and Respectful Madame | 정경부인 | 貞敬夫人 | Jeonggyeongbuin | First | The wife of a senior and junior first rank official. |
Honorable Madame | 정부인 | 貞夫人 | Jeongbuin | Second | The wife of a senior and junior second rank official. |
Virtuous Madame | 숙부인 | 淑夫人 | Sukbuin | Third | The wife of a senior third rank official. |
Virtuous Lady | 숙인 | 淑人 | Sugin | Third | The wife of a junior third rank official. |
Clever Lady | 영인 | 伶人 | Yeongin | Fourth | The wife of a senior and junior fourth rank official. |
Courteous Lady | 공인 | 恭人 | Gongin | Fifth | The wife of a senior and junior fifth rank official. |
Proper Lady | 의인 | 宜人 | Uiin | Sixth | The wife of a senior and junior sixth rank official. |
Peaceful Lady | 안인 | 安人 | Anin | Seventh | The wife of a senior and junior seventh rank official. |
Regular Lady | 단인 | 端人 | Danin | Eighth | The wife of a senior and junior eighth rank official. |
Junior Lady | 유인 | 孺人 | Yuin | Ninth | The wife of a senior and junior ninth rank official. |
See also
References
- ^ Ian Mladjov. "KOREA (HANGUK/JOSEON)" (PDF). University of Michigan. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ "Rediscovering aesthetics of Jongmyo Shrine". Korea Times. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "Korea: Notes". archontology.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "조선시대 국왕호칭의 종류와 의미 The Kinds and Meaning of King's Name in the Chosun Dynasty". 역사와경계 (in English and Korean) (52). NRF: 46–67. 2004. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ a b "왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "주상" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "나랏님" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ "국왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "금상" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "상감" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "대전" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ The king used to address himself this way. "과인" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "상왕" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ a b "태상왕" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "선대왕" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "대왕" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ "왕비" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "중전" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "대비" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "왕대비". National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "대왕대비" (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "왕후" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "대원군" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ "부대부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "부원군" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "원자" (in Korean and English). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ^ a b "왕세자" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "동궁" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ a b "왕세자빈" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "빈궁" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "왕세제" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
- ^ "왕세손" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "대군" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "부부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "군" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "군부인" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "공주" (in Korean). Naver Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "옹주" (in Korean). Britannica Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "정일품" (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
- ^ Had several different versions, like 희빈 (Huibin) / 숙빈 (Sukbin) / 경빈 (Gyeongbin) / 창빈 (Changbin) / 선빈 (Seonbin) etc.
- ^ "궁인직" (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
- ^ "궁녀" (in Korean). Britannica Korea via Daum. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
- ^ "내시부" (in Korean). Britannica Korea via Daum. Retrieved 2014-04-15.