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Iconographic Meaning

Such bags symbolized wishes for long life, immortality, and safety from evil influences.

Specific Techniques

The fabric on the outside of the bag was embroidered and then cut, forming a square overall. The placement of the embroidery had to be carefully measured. With the embroidered side facing in, the outside was sewn to the lining. The bag was then turned right-side out through a small hole, and folded into shape, after which it was laced together

Description

A small flat bag made of dark blue silk damask and yellow silk embroidered on both sides. At the top, the blue silk is sewn with an invisible seam to the white cotton lining. Main body of the bag is shaped like a vertical rectangle with triangular projections on both sides created by folding and holding the folds in place with a circular pink cylindrical cord. The centre front panel is embroidered with a pink peony, and the side points with yellow and pink peach flowers, each with five petals. The rectangular panel on the back is embroidered at the top with pink flowers on stems. The pink cord ends at the front with elaborate knots, culminating in three loops.

History Of Use

Although such bags were used by both men and women, bags with these decorations were used by women. Before western influences reached Korea, clothing did not have pockets, and such bags were used to carry small articles. They were attached to the waist ties of women’s skirts (chima) or men’s pants ( ). As they hung outside their clothes, they looked colourful and pretty, and their functions were more decorative than practical. They were the only decorations on people’s clothing. The decorations were royal prerogatives, although they eventually also became luxury items for high-class people. Kings and queens sometimes presented them to their family members to wish them good fortune and long life, and to exorcise evil influences. After the opening of Korea to the outside world in the late 19th century, they began to disappear from use, as people could then have pockets. Young female students liked to have them even after the modernization of Korea, as their teachers admired them. Bags of this type would have been used by middle-or upper-middle class women, or female students.