Styles and titles in the Joseon dynasty

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 agissi [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
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. 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Gwiinjunior 1 (종1품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Deportment 소의昭儀Souisenior 2 (정2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Ceremony 숙의淑儀Suguijunior 2 (종2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Countenance 소용昭容Soyongsenior 3 (정3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Countenance 숙용淑容Sugyongjunior 3 (종3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Bright Beauty 소원昭媛Sowonsenior 4 (정4품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Warm Beauty 숙원淑媛Sugwonjunior 4 (종4품)
Crown Prince's Concubines[41]
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Excellence 양제良娣Yangjejunior 2 (종2품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Beauty 양원良媛Yangwonjunior 3 (종3품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Inherent Excellence 승휘承徽Seunghwijunior 4 (종4품)
used until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty Lady of Clear Instruction 소훈昭訓Sohunjunior 5 (종5품)

Royal court
Gungnyeo
Hangul Hanja Revised Romanization Rank
Court ladies (Gungnyeo, 궁녀)[42]
상궁尙宮Sanggungsenior 5 (정5품)
상의尙儀Sangui
상복尙服Sangbokjunior 5 (종5품)
상식尙食Sangsik
상침尙寢Sangchimsenior 6 (정6품)
상공尙功Sanggong
상정尙正Sangjeongjunior 6 (종6품)
상기尙記Sanggi
전빈典賓Jeonbinsenior 7 (정7품)
전의典衣Jeonui
전선典膳Jeonseon
전설典設Jeonseoljunior 7 (종7품)
전제典製Jeongje
전언典言Jeoneon
전찬典贊Jeonchansenior 8 (정8품)
전식典飾Jeonsik
전약典藥Jeonyak
전등典燈Jeondeungjunior 8 (종8품)
전채典彩Jeonchae
전정典正Jeonjeong
주궁奏宮Jugungsenior 9 (정9품)
주상奏商Jusang
주각奏角Jugak
주변징奏變徵Jubyeonjingjunior 9 (종9품)
주징主徵Jujing
주우奏羽Juu
주변궁奏變宮Jubyeongung
Eunuchs (naesi, 내시)[43]
상선尙膳Sangseonjunior 2 (종2품)
상온尙醞Sangonsenior 3 (정3품)
상다尙茶Sangda
상약尙藥Sangyakjunior 3 (종3품)
상전尙傳Sangjeonsenior 4 (정4품)
상책尙冊)Sangchaekjunior 4 (종4품)
상호尙弧Sanghosenior 5 (정5품)
상탕尙帑Sangtangjunior 5 (종5품)
상세尙洗Sangsesenior 6 (정6품)
상촉尙燭Sangchokjunior 6 (종6품)
상훼尙煊Sanghwesenior 7 (정7품)
상설尙設Sangseoljunior 7 (종7품)
상제尙除Sangjesenior 8 (정8품)
상문尙門Sangmunjunior 8 (종8품)
상경尙更Sanggyeongsenior 9 (정9품)
상원尙苑Sangwonjunior 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
  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. "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. "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. "왕세자" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  28. "동궁" (in Korean). Daum Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  29. "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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