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 monarch was king (왕; 王; wang) until Gojong crowned himself emperor (황제; 皇帝; hwangje), 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

When a prince became king, he was 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 was given when the spirit tablet was placed at the Jongmyo Shrine. This is the name by which historians usually refer to Joseon kings. The myoho could end in either jo (조; 祖; lit. 'progenitor') or jong (종; 宗; lit. '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, King Gyeongjong'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 Current monarch; he was addressed in different ways depending on the speaker and the situation
King Emeritus Sangwang 상왕[13] 上王 Jeonha 전하 殿下 None Living king who has voluntarily abdicated in favor of the current king
Grand King Emeritus Taesangwang 태상왕[14] 太上王 Jeonha 전하 殿下 None An abdicated king whose relinquishment of power precedes that of another king emeritus
Great Predecessor King Seondaewang

Seonwang

 선대왕[15]
선왕		 先大王
先王		 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Deceased king. See also: daewang
Great King Daewang 대왕[16] 大王 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Deceased king. See also: seondaewang
Main consort of a 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 Main consort of a current king
Grand Queen Emerita Taesangwangbi 태상왕비[14] 太上王妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Main consort of a grand king emeritus
Queen Dowager Daebi 대비[19] 大妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Used to be the short form of wangdaebi, but later became a lower rank; main consort of a deceased king who lived through two reigns
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 long form of daebi, but later became a higher rank; main consort of a deceased king who lived through three reigns
Grand Royal Queen Dowager Daewangdaebi 대왕대비[21] 大王大妃 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Main consort of a deceased king who lived through at least three reigns
Queen Wanghu 왕후[22] 王后 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Posthumous title of a queen
Parents of a monarch
Grand Internal Prince Daewongun 대원군[23] 大院君 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Father of a king who has never been king himself
Grand Internal Princess Consort Budaebuin 부대부인[24] 府大夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Senior 1 (정1품) Wife of a grand internal prince; mother of a king
Internal Prince Buwongun 부원군[25] 府院君 Daegam 대감 大監 None Father of a queen
Internal Princess Consort Bubuin 부부인 府夫人 — — — Junior 1 (종1품) Wife of an internal prince; mother of a queen
Monarch's male descendant and their main consorts
Prince Royal Wonja 원자[26] 元子 Agissi 아기씨 — None Eldest son of a king before being appointed as heir to the throne
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 Son of a king who has been 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 Main consort of a king's son who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Prince Wangseje
Seje		 왕세제[31]
세제		 王世弟 Jeoha 저하 邸下 None Brother of a king who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Princess Wangsejebin
Sejebin		 왕세제빈
세제빈		 王世弟嬪
世弟嬪		 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Main consort of a king's brother who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Grand Heir Wangseson 왕세손[32] 王世孫 Hapa 합하 閤下 None Eldest son of a crown prince
Grand Heir Consort Wangsesonbin 왕세손빈 王世孫嬪 Mama 마마 媽媽 None Main consort of a crown prince's eldest son
Grand Prince Wangja
Daegun		 대군[33]
왕자		 大君
王子		 Agissi
Daegam		 아기씨
대감		 —
大監		 None Son of a king by his queen, not entitled to be crown prince; they were addressed as wangja agissi before adulthood
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		 Agissi
Daegam		 아기씨
대감		 —
大監		 None Son of a king by a concubine; they were addressed as wangja agissi before adulthood
Royal Princess Consort Gunbuin 군부인[36] 郡夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Senior 1 (정1품) Wife of a royal prince
Prince Gun 군 君 Daegam 대감 大監 Junior 1 (종1품) Eldest son of a grand prince
Princess Consort Gunbuin 군부인 郡夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Junior 1 (종1품) Wife of a grand prince's eldest son
Prince Gun 군 君 Daegam 대감 大監 Senior 2 (정2품) Other sons of a crown prince, eldest grandson of a grand prince, eldest son of a royal prince
Princess Consort Hyeonbuin 현부인 賢夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Senior 2 (정2품) Wife of a prince of the senior second rank
Prince Gun 군 君 Daegam 대감 大監 Junior 2 (종2품) Grandsons of a crown prince, other sons and eldest great-grandson of a grand prince, eldest grandson of a royal prince
Princess Consort Hyeonbuin 현부인 賢夫人 Mama 마마 媽媽 Junior 2 (종2품) Wife of a prince of the junior second rank
— Jeong 정 正 — — — Senior 3 (정3품) Great-grandsons of a crown prince, other grandsons of a grand prince, other sons and eldest great-grandson of a royal prince
Cautious Lady Sinin 신인 慎人 — — — Senior 3 (정3품) Wife of a jeong
— Bujeong 부정 副正 — — — Junior 3 (종3품) Great-grandsons of a grand prince, other grandsons of a royal prince
Cautious Lady Sinin 신인 慎人 — — — Junior 3 (종3품) Wife of a bujeong
— Su 수 守 — — — Senior 4 (정4품) Great-grandsons of a royal prince, illegitimate son of a grand prince by a commoner
Benovelent Lady Hyein 혜인 惠人 — — — Senior 4 (정4품) Wife of a su
— Busu 부수 副守 — — — Junior 4 (종4품) Illegitimate son of a grand prince by a lowborn, illegitimate son of a royal prince by a commoner
Benovelent Lady Hyein 혜인 惠人 — — — Junior 4 (종4품) Wife of a busu
— Yeong 영 令 — — — Senior 5 (정5품) Illegitimate son of a royal prince by a lowborn
Lady Onin 온인 溫人 — — — Senior 5 (정5품) 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 Daughter of a king by his queen; agissi was used in childhood, mama was used in adulthood
Prince Consort Uibin 의빈 儀賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 Junior 1 (종1품) Son-in-law of a king; husband of a royal princess
Princess Ongju
Wangnyeo		 옹주[38]
왕녀		 翁主
王女		 Agissi
Mama		 아기씨
마마		 —
媽媽		 None Daughter of a king by a concubine; agissi was used in childhood, mama was used in adulthood
Prince Consort Seungbin 승빈 承賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 Junior 2 (종2품) Son-in-law of a king; husband of a princess
County Princess Gunju 군주 郡主 Agissi
Mama		 아기씨
마마		 —
媽媽		 Senior 2 (정2품) Daughter of a crown prince by his main consort; agissi was used in childhood, mama was used in adulthood
Prince Consort Bubin 부빈 副賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 Senior 3 (정3품) Husband of a commandery princess
Town Princess Hyeonju 현주 縣主 Agissi
Mama		 아기씨
마마		 —
媽媽		 Senior 3 (정3품) Daughter of a crown prince by a concubine; agissi was used in childhood, mama was used in adulthood
Prince Consort Cheombin 첨빈 僉賓 Buma 부마 駙馬 Junior 3 (종3품) Husband of a county princess

Consorts and concubines
See also: Naemyeongbu

Each consort and concubine in the inner palace (후궁; 後宮; hugung) had a certain rank, according to which their titles and forms of address were formulated.

Comparance English Hangul Hanja Revised Romanization Rank
Consorts (비; bi)
Used until the publishing of Gyeongguk Daejeon, also during the Korean Empire Noble Consort 귀비 貴妃 Gwibi senior 1 (정1품)[39]
Used until the publishing of Gyeongguk Daejeon, also during the Korean Empire Pure Consort 숙비 淑妃 Sukbi
Used until the publishing of Gyeongguk Daejeon, also during the Korean Empire Primary Consort 원비 元妃 Wonbi
Used until the publishing of Gyeongguk Daejeon, also during the Korean Empire Virtuous Consort 덕비 德妃 Deokbi
Used until the publishing of Gyeongguk Daejeon, also during the Korean Empire Worthy Consort 현비 賢妃 Hyeonbi
Concubines (귀빈; gwibin)
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
Gungnyeo
Hangul Hanja Revised Romanization Rank
Court ladies (궁녀; gungnyeo)[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 (내시; naesi)[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 Wife of a senior and junior first rank official
Honorable Madame 정부인 貞夫人 Jeongbuin Second Wife of a senior and junior second rank official
Virtuous Madame 숙부인 淑夫人 Sukbuin Third Wife of a senior third rank official
Virtuous Lady 숙인 淑人 Sugin Third Wife of a junior third rank official
Clever Lady 영인 伶人 Yeongin Fourth Wife of a senior and junior fourth rank official
Courteous Lady 공인 恭人 Gongin Fifth Wife of a senior and junior fifth rank official
Proper Lady 의인 宜人 Uiin Sixth Wife of a senior and junior sixth rank official
Peaceful Lady 안인 安人 Anin Seventh Wife of a senior and junior seventh rank official
Regular Lady 단인 端人 Danin Eighth Wife of a senior and junior eighth rank official
Junior Lady 유인 孺人 Yuin Ninth 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 multiple different versions, such as Huibin (희빈) / Sukbin (숙빈) / Gyeongbin (경빈) / Changbin (창빈) / Seonbin (선빈) 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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