Wrap · Weddings & rites
Marriage letter wrap
The cloth wrapping for the 혼서, the marriage letter from the groom's parents carried in or with the 함.
- For
- Wedding: groom's 혼서 letter sent in or with the 함
- Wraps
- Folded letter in envelope or case
- Cloth
- laid as a diamond
- Closed with
- Geunbong seal band
- Level
- Moderate
Dabida: '네 귀에 금전지를 단 보자기에 싸서 상·중·하에 근봉'. Pyeongtaek Sinmun (박준서): 'wrap in a black bojagi, or in red then black, tie firmly, insert 근봉 seal papers at top, middle and bottom and seal at the knot end of the ham bojagi'.
- 1Fold the letter in nine, then fold both ends to the centre.
- 2Put it in its envelope (left open at top and bottom) or case.
- 3Wrap it in a double bojagi with 금전지 tabs at the four corners.
- 4Slip 근봉 bands on at the top, middle and bottom.
- 5Place it at the bottom of the 함, or on the lid.
History & tradition
Joseon wedding rite of 납폐
The 혼서 (also 예장지) is a letter from the groom's parents to the bride's, a pledge of lifelong fidelity. It was the most valued item in the 함, sometimes set on the lid. Accounts describe wrapping it in black cloth, or red then black, with gold-paper ornaments at the corners and 근봉 slips at top, middle and bottom. The bride kept it all her life and it was placed in her coffin.
Still included in the 함, though now ceremonial with no legal force.
Colour practice varies; sources are a ritual-etiquette column (2009) and a wedding-silk shop.
Researched with medium confidence.