Journal of the Korean Society of Costume (복식)

The Korean Society of Costume (한국복식학회)
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A Study on Religious Symbolism of the Costume Pattern of Tibet

티베트 복식 문양에 나타난 종교적 상징성

  • Choi, Mijeong (dept. of Fashion, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Soh, Hwangoak (Dept. of Fashion, Chung-Ang University)
  • 최미정 (중앙대학교 대학원 패션예술학과) ;
  • 소황옥 (중앙대학교 패션예술학과)
  • Received : 2014.08.24
  • Accepted : 2016.01.26
  • Published : 2016.01.31
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Abstract

The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet who have adapted to the region's harsh climate and environment, and developed their own culture. Religion played a central role in maintaining its traditional culture and society in the history. The objective of this study is to understand Tibetan costume and religion, and examine patterns that appear on the costume to study their religious symbolism. The significance of this study lies in explaining the symbolisms of the patterns that appear on the costume in terms of cultural maintenance and change. Based on literature review, I summarized the data about Tibet's environment, history and religion, and divided the residential district into three: ${\ddot{U}}$-Tsang, Amdo, Khamba. Then, I organized each region's characteristics and clothes, and studied Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana) costumes and features of the patterns that appear on the costumes. Through combining these data, I would like to examine the religious symbolism of the costume pattern of Tibet. Buddhism is at the heart of cultural and social maintenance and change in Tibet, and the patterns shown in the costume is influenced mostly from Buddhism. The features of general Tibetan costume vary with the region and life style, but the patterns that appear on the costume are used over a wide area to represent good luck and the spread of Buddhist teachings. The costumes for religious rites vary with religious sects, but most of the patterns are commonly used. The symbolism of pattern is a form of figure that represents the human psyche and physical world. The symbolism of pattern implies meanings such as compensation or futuristic wish. First, the lucky omen normally means long life, happiness and peace, and means religious salvation in Buddhist perspective. Second, warding off evil spirits normally means avoiding misfortune, and means dignity and self-protection, and protection of Buddhadharma in Buddhist perspective.

Keywords

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