Under the Koryo dynasty, women had relatively high social status. They enjoyed a great deal of social and economic freedom. Sharing ancestral patrimony equally with her brothers, a woman was a person of decision-making and action. Uxorilocal residence as well as divorce was common. This high social status of women, however, dramatically decreased under the succeeding Choson Dynasty as new social values based on Confusianism were implanted into the society.
What about women's social status in Silla? I think Women's social status in Silla was highest among the dynasty. There were strong belief in early religions like shamanism during the Silla dynasty and the bone-rank system that made women occupy the highest position and enjoy elite status. This is well-shown in the "holy mother cult" as well as in the existence of three powerful queen monarchs in Silla. Queen Sondok, for example, was considered to possess unique spiritual powers that enabled her to predict the future.
 |
| A portrait of Queen Sondok |
No comments:
Post a Comment