The History of Korean Beauty Part 2: Goryeo Dynasty
Asia Society Korea's latest blog post focused on the Silla people's great interest in beauty and appearances. Today, Asia Society Korea will examine the changing aesthetics and social status of women during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) as part of the Leo Gala series to promote Korean culture and celebrate its beauty beyond the facade. During the Three-Royalth Period (57 BC - 668 BC), a woman's beauty was usually defined by her voluptuousness because it was believed to indicate fertility similar to that of Mother Earth. However, in the Goryeo dynasty, standards of beauty were increasingly built around elegance. As the principles of beauty changed, naturally, so did the composition and methods of beautification. Back then, lower-class women who worked in places like taverns wore heavy, colorful makeup. It triggered a rather discriminatory stereotype that reinforced the use of lighter makeup by women of the ruling class. These women differentiate themselves by applying only
