---
node: garment_gonryongpo
type: garment
slug: gonryongpo
title: "Gonryongpo"
lead: "The gonryongpo is the everyday dragon robe of the Joseon king and crown prince, a round-collared silk robe bearing a round dragon emblem at chest, back, and shoulders. Its colour and dragon marked the wearer's exact rank."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
image_file: gonryongpo.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Taejo_Yi_02.jpg"
image_author: "Jo Jung-muk(?-?), Pak Gijun(?-?), Baek Eunbae(1820-?), Yu Suk(1827-1873)"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## 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.