Abstract
In this study, the transition characteristics of purple series color names appearing in the clothing of the Joseon Dynasty were examined, and the associational meaning of each name were investigated through various methods. The results are as follows; First, Such characteristics as continuity, differentiation, substitution could be observed through the investigation of color names of purple-series appeared on the clothing in the Joseon Dynasty period. Secondly, the associational meaning could be subdivided into; social position symbolic meanings, usage meanings, economic meanings, and thought meanings. The social position symbolic meanings could be observed mainly in the single names which has been used since the ancient times, usage meanings could be observed in a wide variety according to the individual color names. The economic meanings could be observed by comparing the value of colored cloths and colored threads. The thought meanings were mainly related with the Confucianism. Thirdly, the associational semantic structure were established on the basis of associational meanings of purple-series color names. Individual color name on the social position symbolic semantic structure symbolizes [government official] and [servant]. Through usage semantic structure individual color names could be understood structurally according to the social position, sex distinction, wearing situation, items of clothing, and structure of clothing. Individual names on the economic semantic structure were segmented by the semantic components of the values in [high], [medium], [low] prices, kinds and quantity of dyes. The thought semantic structure could be subdivided [Confucianism] and [The Thought of Taeil] in its semantic structure.