Styles and titles in Joseon

During the Joseon period, royal titles and styles (forms of address) had been extensive and complex. The general title of the monarch was king (왕; 王; wang) until Gojong crowned himself emperor (황제; 皇帝; hwangje), a title that was only allowed for Chinese emperors.^[1] Official titles came with official forms of address, depending on who the addressee was and by whom they were addressed.

Royal family

Naming

When a prince became king, he was addressed as such, personal names were not used. After the death of a king, he was given several names. One is the temple name (묘호; 廟號; myoho), which was given when the spirit tablet was placed at the Jongmyo Shrine. This is the name by which historians usually refer to Joseon kings. The myoho could end in either jo (조; 祖; lit. 'progenitor') or jong (종; 宗; lit. 'ancestor'). The preceding syllable was an adjective suitable for the king. The other name was the posthumous name (시호; 諡號; siho). This is a longer name, made up of adjectives characteristic of the king's rule.^[2][3][4] For example, King Gyeongjong's posthumous name was King Deokmun Ikmu Sunin Seonhyo the Great (덕문익무순인선효대왕; 德文翼武純仁宣孝大王), while his temple name was Gyeongjong (경종; 景宗).

Titles and styles

Forms of address were combined with names, titles or both, for example:

• Jusang Jeonha (주상 전하; His Majesty the King)
• Jungjeon Mama (중전 마마; Her Royal Highness the Queen)
• Seja Jeoha (세자 저하; His Royal Highness the Crown Prince)
• Wangja Agissi [in childhood] (왕자 아기씨; His Young Highness the Prince) then Daegun Jaga / Daegam [in adulthood] (대군 자가 / 대감; His Highness / His Excellency the Grand Prince)
• Gongju Agissi [in childhood] (공주 아기씨; Her Young Highness the Royal Princess) then Gongju Jaga [in adulthood] (공주 자가; Her Highness the Royal Princess)

	Title			Forms of address				Explanation
English	Revised Romanization	Hangul	Hanja	RR	Hangul	Hanja	Rank
Monarch
King	Wang[5] Jusang[6] Imgeum[5] Narannim[7] Gugwang[8] Geumsang[9] Sanggam[10] Daejeon[11] Gwain[12] Jewang	왕 주상 임금 나랏님 국왕 금상 상감 대전 과인 제왕	王 主上 — — 國王 今上 上監 大田 寡人 帝王	Jeonha Mama	전하 마마	殿下 媽媽	None	Current monarch; he was addressed in different ways depending on the speaker and the situation
King Emeritus	Sangwang	상왕[13]	上王	Jeonha	전하	殿下	None	Living king who has voluntarily abdicated in favor of the current king
Great King Emeritus	Taesangwang	태상왕[14]	太上王	Jeonha	전하	殿下	None	An abdicated king whose relinquishment of power precedes that of another king emeritus
Grand Late King	Seondaewang	선대왕[15]	先大王	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Deceased king
Late King	Seonwang	선왕	大王	Mama	마마	媽媽	None
Grand King	Daewang	대왕[16]	大王	Mama	마마	媽媽	None
Main consort of a monarch
Queen	Wangbi Jungjeon Gungmo Naejeon	왕비[17] 중전[18] 국모 내전	王妃 中殿 國母 內殿	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Main consort of a current king
Queen Emerita	Sangwangbi	상왕비	上王妃	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Main consort of a king emeritus
Great Queen Emerita	Taesangwangbi	태상왕비[14]	太上王妃	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Main consort of a grand king emeritus
Queen Dowager	Daebi	대비[19]	大妃	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Used to be the short form of wangdaebi, but later became a lower rank; main consort of a deceased king who lived through a subsequent reign
Royal Queen Dowager	Wangdaebi Jajeon Jaseon	왕대비[20] 자전 자선	王大妃 慈殿 慈聖	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Used to be the long form of daebi, but later became a higher rank; main consort of a deceased king who lived through two subsequent reigns
Grand Royal Queen Dowager	Daewangdaebi	대왕대비[21]	大王大妃	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Main consort of a deceased king who lived through at least two subsequent reigns
Queen	Wanghu	왕후[22]	王后	Mama	마마	媽媽	None	Deceased queen
Parents and parents-in-law of a monarch
Grand Internal Prince	Daewongun	대원군[23]	大院君	Daegam	대감	大監	None	Father of a king who has never been king himself
Grand Internal Princess Consort	Budaebuin	부대부인[24]	府大夫人	Manim	마님	—	Senior 1 (정1품)	Wife of a grand internal prince and / or mother of a king
Internal Prince	Buwongun	부원군[25]	府院君	Daegam	대감	大監	None	Father of a queen
Internal Princess Consort	Bubuin	부부인	府夫人	Manim	마님	—	Senior 1 (정1품)	Wife of an internal prince and / or mother of a queen
Monarch's male descendant and their main consorts
Prince Royal	Wonja	원자[26]	元子	Agissi	아기씨	—	None	Eldest son of a king before being appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Prince	Wangseja Seja Donggung Gukbon	왕세자[27] 세자[27] 동궁[28] 국본	王世子 世子 東宮 國本	Jeoha Mama	저하 마마	邸下 媽媽	None	Son of a king who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Princess	Wangsejabin Sejabin Bingung	왕세자빈[29] 세자빈[29] 빈궁[30]	王世子嬪 世子嬪 嬪宮	Manora Jaga	마노라 자가	— 自家	None	Main consort of a king's son who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Prince	Wangseje Seje Donggung Gukbon	왕세제[31] 세제 동궁 국본	王世弟 世弟 東宮 國本	Jeoha Mama	저하 마마	邸下 媽媽	None	Brother of a king who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Crown Princess	Wangsejebin Sejebin Bingung	왕세제빈 세제빈 빈궁	王世弟嬪 世弟嬪 嬪宮	Manora Jaga	마노라 자가	— 自家	None	Main consort of a king's brother who has been appointed as heir to the throne
Grand Heir	Wangseson	왕세손[32]	王世孫	Gakha Hapa	각하 합하	閤下	None	Eldest son of a crown prince
Grand Heiress Consort	Wangsesonbin	왕세손빈	王世孫嬪	Jaga	자가	自家	None	Main consort of a crown prince's eldest son
Grand Prince	Wangja Daegun	왕자 대군[33]	王子 大君	Agissi Jaga Daegam	아기씨 자가 대감	— 自家 大監	None	Son of a king by his main consort
Grand Princess Consort	Bubuin	부부인[34]	府夫人	Manim	마님	—	Senior 1 (정1품)	Wife of a grand prince
Royal Prince	Wangja Gun	왕자 군[35]	王子 君	Agissi Jaga Daegam	아기씨 자가 대감	— 自家 大監	None	Son of a king by a concubine
Royal Princess Consort	Gunbuin	군부인[36]	郡夫人	Manim	마님	—	Senior 1 (정1품)	Wife of a royal prince
Prince	Gun	군	君	—	—	—	Junior 1 (종1품)	Eldest son of a grand prince
Princess Consort	Gunbuin	군부인	郡夫人	—	—	—	Junior 1 (종1품)	Wife of a grand prince's eldest son
Prince	Gun	군	君	—	—	—	Senior 2 (정2품)	Other sons of a crown prince, eldest grandson of a grand prince, eldest son of a royal prince
Princess Consort	Hyeonbuin	현부인	賢夫人	—	—	—	Senior 2 (정2품)	Wife of a prince of the senior second rank
Prince	Gun	군	君	—	—	—	Junior 2 (종2품)	Grandsons of a crown prince, other sons and eldest great-grandson of a grand prince, eldest grandson of a royal prince
Princess Consort	Hyeonbuin	현부인	賢夫人	—	—	—	Junior 2 (종2품)	Wife of a prince of the junior second rank
—	Jeong	정	正	—	—	—	Senior 3 (정3품)	Great-grandsons of a crown prince, other grandsons of a grand prince, other sons and eldest great-grandson of a royal prince
Cautious Lady	Sinin	신인	慎人	—	—	—	Senior 3 (정3품)	Wife of a jeong
—	Bujeong	부정	副正	—	—	—	Junior 3 (종3품)	Great-grandsons of a grand prince, other grandsons of a royal prince
Cautious Lady	Sinin	신인	慎人	—	—	—	Junior 3 (종3품)	Wife of a bujeong
—	Su	수	守	—	—	—	Senior 4 (정4품)	Great-grandsons of a royal prince, sons of a grand prince by a commoner
Benovelent Lady	Hyein	혜인	惠人	—	—	—	Senior 4 (정4품)	Wife of a su
—	Busu	부수	副守	—	—	—	Junior 4 (종4품)	Sons of a grand prince by a lowborn, sons of a royal prince by a commoner
Benovelent Lady	Hyein	혜인	惠人	—	—	—	Junior 4 (종4품)	Wife of a busu
—	Yeong	영	令	—	—	—	Senior 5 (정5품)	Sons of a royal prince by a lowborn
Lady	Onin	온인	溫人	—	—	—	Senior 5 (정5품)	Wife of a yeong
Monarch's female descendants and their consorts
Royal Princess	Wangnyeo Gongju	왕녀 공주[37]	王女 公主	Agissi Jaga	아기씨 자가	— 自家	None	Daughter of a king by his main consort
Prince Consort	Uibin	의빈	儀賓	Buma	부마	駙馬	Junior 1 (종1품)	Son-in-law of a king; husband of a royal princess
Princess	Wangnyeo Ongju	왕녀 옹주[38]	王女 翁主	Agissi Jaga	아기씨 자가	— 自家	None	Daughter of a king by a concubine
Prince Consort	Seungbin	승빈	承賓	Buma	부마	駙馬	Junior 2 (종2품)	Son-in-law of a king; husband of a princess
Commandery Princess	Gunju	군주	郡主	Agissi Jaga	아기씨 자가	— 自家	Senior 2 (정2품)	Daughter of a crown prince by his main consort
Prince Consort	Bubin	부빈	副賓	Buma	부마	駙馬	Senior 3 (정3품)	Husband of a commandery princess
County Princess	Hyeonju	현주	縣主	Agissi Jaga	아기씨 자가	— 自家	Senior 3 (정3품)	Daughter of a crown prince by a concubine
Prince Consort	Cheombin	첨빈	僉賓	Buma	부마	駙馬	Junior 3 (종3품)	Husband of a county princess

Concubines

See also: Naemyeongbu

Each royal consort (후궁; 後宮; hugung) in the inner palace had a certain rank, according to which their titles and forms of address were formulated.^{[citation needed]}

English	Hangul	Hanja	Revised Romanization	McCune–Reischauer	Rank
Monarch
Concubine	빈	嬪	Bin[39]	Pin	senior 1 (정1품)
Noble Lady	귀인	貴人	Gwiin	Kwiin	junior 1 (종1품)
Lady of Bright Deportment	소의	昭儀	Soui	Soŭi	senior 2 (정2품)
Lady of Warm Ceremony	숙의	淑儀	Sugui	Sukŭi	junior 2 (종2품)
Lady of Bright Countenance	소용	昭容	Soyong	Soyong	senior 3 (정3품)
Lady of Warm Countenance	숙용	淑容	Sugyong	Sukyong	junior 3 (종3품)
Lady of Bright Beauty	소원	昭媛	Sowon	Sowŏn	senior 4 (정4품)
Lady of Warm Beauty	숙원	淑媛	Sugwon	Sukwŏn	junior 4 (종4품)
Crown prince[40]
Lady of Excellence	양제	良娣	Yangje	Yangje	junior 2 (종2품)
Lady of Beauty	양원	良媛	Yangwon	Yangwŏn	junior 3 (종3품)
Lady of Inherent Excellence	승휘	承徽	Seunghwi	Sŭnghwi	junior 4 (종4품)
Lady of Clear Instruction	소훈	昭訓	Sohun	Sohun	junior 5 (종5품)

Royal court

Gungnyeo

Hangul	Hanja	Revised Romanization	Rank
Court ladies (궁녀; gungnyeo)[41]
상궁	尙宮	Sanggung	senior 5 (정5품)
상의	尙儀	Sangui
상복	尙服	Sangbok	junior 5 (종5품)
상식	尙食	Sangsik
상침	尙寢	Sangchim	senior 6 (정6품)
상공	尙功	Sanggong
상정	尙正	Sangjeong	junior 6 (종6품)
상기	尙記	Sanggi
전빈	典賓	Jeonbin	senior 7 (정7품)
전의	典衣	Jeonui
전선	典膳	Jeonseon
전설	典設	Jeonseol	junior 7 (종7품)
전제	典製	Jeongje
전언	典言	Jeoneon
전찬	典贊	Jeonchan	senior 8 (정8품)
전식	典飾	Jeonsik
전약	典藥	Jeonyak
전등	典燈	Jeondeung	junior 8 (종8품)
전채	典彩	Jeonchae
전정	典正	Jeonjeong
주궁	奏宮	Jugung	senior 9 (정9품)
주상	奏商	Jusang
주각	奏角	Jugak
주변징	奏變徵	Jubyeonjing	junior 9 (종9품)
주징	主徵	Jujing
주우	奏羽	Juu
주변궁	奏變宮	Jubyeongung
Eunuchs (내시; naesi)[42]
상선	尙膳	Sangseon	junior 2 (종2품)
상온	尙醞	Sangon	senior 3 (정3품)
상다	尙茶	Sangda
상약	尙藥	Sangyak	junior 3 (종3품)
상전	尙傳	Sangjeon	senior 4 (정4품)
상책	尙冊	Sangchaek	junior 4 (종4품)
상호	尙弧	Sangho	senior 5 (정5품)
상탕	尙帑	Sangtang	junior 5 (종5품)
상세	尙洗	Sangse	senior 6 (정6품)
상촉	尙燭	Sangchok	junior 6 (종6품)
상훼	尙煊	Sanghwe	senior 7 (정7품)
상설	尙設	Sangseol	junior 7 (종7품)
상제	尙除	Sangje	senior 8 (정8품)
상문	尙門	Sangmun	junior 8 (종8품)
상경	尙更	Sanggyeong	senior 9 (정9품)
상원	尙苑	Sangwon	junior 9 (종9품)

Officials

English	Hangul	Hanja	Revised Romanization	Rank	Explanation
Oemyeongbu (외명부)
Honorable and Respectful Madame	정경부인	貞敬夫人	Jeonggyeongbuin	1st (1품)	Wife of a senior and junior 1st rank official
Honorable Madame	정부인	貞夫人	Jeongbuin	2nd (2품)	Wife of a senior and junior 2nd rank official
Virtuous Madame	숙부인	淑夫人	Sukbuin	3rd (3품)	Wife of a senior 3rd rank official
Virtuous Lady	숙인	淑人	Sugin		Wife of a junior 3rd rank official
Clever Lady	영인	伶人	Yeongin	4th (4품)	Wife of a senior and junior 4th rank official
Courteous Lady	공인	恭人	Gongin	5th (5품)	Wife of a senior and junior 5th rank official
Proper Lady	의인	宜人	Uiin	6th (6품)	Wife of a senior and junior 6th rank official
Peaceful Lady	안인	安人	Anin	7th (7품)	Wife of a senior and junior 7th rank official
Regular Lady	단인	端人	Danin	8th (8품)	Wife of a senior and junior 8th rank official
Junior Lady	유인	孺人	Yuin	9th (9품)	Wife of a senior and junior 9th rank official

See also

• Naehun