The Study of Ancient Hat on The Oracle Bone Inscription and Bronzeware Script

Abstract

Ancient documents, characters, and relics are the utmost important materials when it comes to researching ancient clothing. Of these, the ancient characters explain the contents of the time, which makes it an objective historical record. China has hieroglyphics, such as oracle bone inscription and bronzeware script, which existed in Sang[Eun]ㆍJu era. This character is formed by a simple line and detailed drawing, showing the object or the concrete form and characteristics, so the reader can understand the meaning. Oracle bone inscription and bronzeware script, which are written in pictograph, include contents that help to grasp the original shape and form of ancient official hats. Chinese characters Geon(巾,건) Byun(㝸,변) Myun(免,면) Mo(冒,모) Ju(冑,주) and Kwan(冠,관), which are the names of the official hats, have been researched, and Mi(美,미) Ryung(令,령) Wang(王,왕) and Hwang(皇,황), which are the characters related to the official hats, have been studied. Geon(巾,건) switched its form from shape of material around waist to wraping wearer's head. Byun(㝸,변) is a hat with decoration, and Myun(免,면) is in form of a helmet with ornaments. Mo(冒,모) in bone script looks like a hat with decorations on each sides, but in bronzeware script, it is more like a simple round hat Ju(冑,주) covers one's head and has decorated ornaments, and The Kwan(冠,관), which is now a common name of official hats, is not shown in oracle bone inscription or bronzeware script, It might have been used later than the other two types of hats. As for the related Chinese characters, Mi(美,미) is in the shape of a feather decoration, Ryung(令,령) is similar in shape to the letter'A',and Wang(王,왕) is in shape of simple hat from 령 with decorations. Hwang(皇,황) is like a Wang(王,왕)'hat, but with fancier decorations.Oracle bone inscription and bronzeware script show the original form and shape of ancient hats.