Overview
A gonryongpo is a full-length round-collared robe, worn by the king in bright red and the crown prince in dark blue, with a circular embroidered dragon badge (bo) at the chest, the back, and each shoulder. It was the ruler’s ordinary court dress rather than his grandest ceremonial robe.
How it is worn
It is worn over inner robes and closed at the side, bound with a jewelled belt and worn with a winged hat (ikseongwan), the four dragon badges announcing royal rank. The number of the dragon’s claws — five for the king — followed strict rule.
History
The gonryongpo was adopted from Ming court dress and served the Joseon kings as daily royal attire from the fifteenth century onward. It survives in royal portraits and museum collections as the emblem of Joseon kingship.