The Historical Research into Jeol

배례(절) 역사적 고증

The Korean have admired and lived with decorums through Jeol, a representative practical formality which expresses the decorums intensively. Jeol is the way of greeting native to Korea and an intangible culture close to Korean life style. To be remained as a culture, the traditional propriety Jeol should reconcile to the present life feflecting our history. On this viewpoint, the purpose of this research is to furnish the authority of the creative inheritance on the settlement of Jeol and other decorums suitable to the present. This research is consisted of 1) the study of the meaning of Jeol and 2) the hidtorical research through records. 'Jurye' is regarded as the oldest literature on the systematic explanation about Jeol and has been very often used down the ages. Jindong in 'Jurye' and Kodu in 'Karyejipram' are the same Jeol which expresses the grief in funeral rites. In 'Seonghosaseol', Abae which stands one knee is explained and investigated as the case of offense by the literature. And it is also interpreated as a Jeol with respect, while many other Jeol is to fall an both of kness, Abae is not performed generally. 'Yeki' has brief explanation about Kongsu Manner (to hold hands), Jeol between the king and minister, host and guest, Buinbae, Jeol in custom, wedding ceremony and funeral ceremony and Jeol in drinking manner. In 'Chunchukongyangjeon'. there is the explanation about Jeol of the minister who comes back after his duty to the king. 'Sunjajiphae' interprets Bae and Kyesang and informs that Kuesu is the most respectful Jeol only to the king, 'Seojeon' proves the Jeol habitually used in all kinds of ceremonies and etiquettes. 'Jeongbomunheonbigo' introduces the custom of Jeol in Shilla, Koguryo, Buyeo, Koryo eras by using literature and shows the commoness of both kneeling down generally. The result of this research has the meaning for the creation of life culture in the basis of the spirit 'Onkojisin'(reviewing the old and learning the new) by establishing the present Jeol with tradition.