The following is a list of queen consorts, queen dowagers and grand queen dowagers of Kingdom of Joseon and empress consort and empress dowager of Korean Empire.
Title
The Joseon dynasty (also transcribed as Chosŏn or Chosun, Korean: 대조선국; 大朝鮮國, lit. 'Great Chosun Country') was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for five centuries. Joseon King accepted Chinese suzerainty and acknowledged the Chinese emperor as their nominal overlord until the Gabo Reform in December 1894. The Primary Consort of the Joseon King bore the title wangbi (왕비, 王妃), translated as Queen in English, with the style of "Her Royal Highness" (baama; 마마, 媽媽). The title used in the court language was junggungjeon (중궁전, 中宮殿) or jungjeon (중전, 中殿), translated as "Center Palace" in English. Wanghu (왕후, 王后), the title for the Primary Consort of the King during pre-Joseon era, became a posthumous title.
The title Royal Queen Dowager (왕대비, 王大妃) was given to the widow of a king. Queen Dowager (대비, 大妃), originally was the short form of Royal Queen Dowager, but it became a lesser rank title during the reign of King Cheoljong and King Gojong. The widow of the previous king was called the Grand Royal Queen Dowager (대왕대비, 大王大妃),.
After Second Gabo Reform in December 1894, which proclaimed the severance of the subordinate relationship with China, royal titles also changed. The title changed from wangbi to wanghu and from wangdaebi to wangtaehu (왕태후, 王太后).
In October 1897, King Gojong proclaimed Korea as an empire and he assumed the title of Emperor (hwangje; 황제, 皇帝) in order to assert Korea's independence. Automatically, his wife held the title of empress consort (hwanghu; 황후, 皇后) and the monarch's widow held the title empress dowager (hwangtaehu; 황태후, 皇太后). From all the consorts of Joseon's ruler, only Empress Sunjeong held the rank of empress consort during her lifetime. Empress Myeongseong died in 1895, two years before the Korean Empire was proclaimed.
List
Queens and empresses consort
Kingdom of Joseon
| King | Queen consort | Birth | Became Consort | Ceased to be consort | Death | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posthumous name and maiden clan | Titles | |||||
| Yi Dan, King Taejo |
Queen Sinui of the Anbyeon Han clan |
Queen Jeol (절비) | 1337 | 21 October 1391 | ||
| Queen Sindeok of the Goksan Kang clan |
Queen Hyeon (현비) | 12 July 1356 | 17 July 1392 | 15 September 1396 | ||
| Yi Gyeong, King Jeongjong |
Queen Jeongan of the Gyeongju Kim clan |
Crown Princess Deok (덕빈) Queen Deok (덕비) Queen Dowager Sundeok (순덕왕대비) |
22 January 1355 | 5 September 1398 | 28 November 1400 husband's abdication |
2 August 1412 |
| Yi Bang-won, King Taejong |
Queen Wongyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan |
Princess Jeongnyeong (정녕옹주) Crown Princess Jeong (정세자빈) Queen Jeong (정비) Queen Dowager Hudeok (후덕왕대비) |
29 July 1365 | 10 January 1401 | 9 September 1418 husband’s abdication |
18 August 1420 |
| Yi Do, King Sejong |
Queen Soheon of the Cheongseong Sim clan |
Princess Gyeongsuk (경숙옹주) Crown Princess Gyeong (경빈) Queen Gong (공비) |
12 October 1395 | 9 September 1418 | 19 April 1446 | |
| Yi Hyang, King Munjong |
Queen Hyeondeok of the Andong Kwon clan |
Royal Consort Seung-hwi (승휘) Royal Consort Yang-won (양원) Crown Princess Consort Hyeondeok (현덕빈) |
17 April 1418 | 10 August 1441 | ||
| Yi Hong-wi, King Danjong |
Queen Jeongsun of the Yeosan Song clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Uideok (의덕왕대비) |
1440 | 1454 | 11 June 1455 husband's deposition |
7 July 1521 |
| Yi Yu, King Sejo |
Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yun clan |
Grand Internal Princess Consort Nakrang (낙랑부대부인) Queen Queen Dowager Jaseong (자성왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Jaseong (자성대왕대비) |
8 December 1418 | 1455 | 23 September 1468 husband's death |
6 May 1483 |
| Yi Hwang, King Yejong |
Han Naeng-yi, Queen Jangsun of the Cheongju Han clan |
Princess Jangsun Crown Princess Consort Jangsun (장순세자빈) |
22 February 1445 | 5 January 1462 | ||
| Queen Ansun of the Cheongju Han clan |
Royal Consort So-hun (소훈) Queen Queen Dowager Inhye (인혜왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Inhye (인혜대왕대비) |
18 April 1445 | 1468 | 31 December 1469 husband's death |
3 February 1499 | |
| Yi Hyeol, King Seongjong |
Han Song-yi, Queen Gonghye of the Cheongju Han clan |
Princess Consort Cheonan (천안군부인) Queen |
8 November 1456 | 1469 | 30 April 1474 | |
| Queen Jeheon of the Haman Yun clan |
Royal Consort Suk-ui (숙의) Queen Deposed Queen (폐비) |
15 July 1455 | 1476 | 1479 deposed |
29 August 1482 | |
| Yun Chang-nyeon, Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan |
Royal Consort Suk-ui (숙의) Queen Queen Dowager Jasun (자순왕대비) |
21 July 1462 | 1480 | 1494 husband's death |
13 September 1530 | |
| Yi Yung, Prince Yeonsan |
Princess Consort Geochang of the Geochang Shin clan |
Princess Consort Geochang (거창군부인) Princess Consort Yeonsan (연산군부인) Queen Jeinwondeok (제인원덕왕비) Deposed Queen Sin (폐비 신씨) |
15 December 1476 | 1494 | 2 September 1506 husband's deposition |
16 May 1537 |
| Yi Yeok, King Jungjong |
Queen Dangyeong of the Geochang Shin clan |
Princess Consort (부부인) Queen Deposed Queen (폐비) |
7 February 1487 | 18 September 1506 | 25 September 1506 deposed |
27 December 1557 |
| Yun Myung-hye, Queen Janggyeong of the Papyeong Yun clan |
Queen | 10 August 1491 | 1507 | 16 March 1515 | ||
| Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Seongryeol (성렬왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Seongryeol (성렬대왕대비) |
2 December 1501 | 1517 | 29 November 1544 husband's death |
5 May 1565 | |
| Yi Ho, King Injong |
Queen Inseong of the Bannam Park clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Gongui (공의왕대비) |
7 October 1514 | 1544 | 8 August 1545 husband's death |
6 January 1578 |
| Yi Hwan, King Myeongjong |
Queen Insun of the Cheongsong Sim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Uiseong (의성왕대비) |
27 June 1532 | 1545 | 3 August 1567 husband's death |
12 February 1575 |
| Yi Yeon, King Seonjo |
Queen Uiin of the Bannam Park clan |
Queen | 5 May 1555 | 1569 | 5 August 1600 | |
| Queen Inmok of the Yeonan Kim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Soseong (소성왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Myeongryeol (명렬대왕대비) |
15 December 1584 | 1602 | 16 March 1608 | 13 August 1632 | |
| Yi Hon, Prince Gwanghae |
Queen Hyejang of the Munhwa Yu Clan |
Princess Consort Munseong (문성군부인) Crown Princess (왕세자빈) Queen Deposed Queen (폐비) |
15 August 1576 | 1608 | 1623 husband's deposition |
31 October 1623 |
| Yi Jong, King Injo |
Queen Inyeol of the Cheongju Han clan |
Princess Cheongseong (청성현부인) Queen |
16 August 1594 | 1623 | 16 January 1636 | |
| Queen Jangnyeol of the Yangju Jo clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Jaui (자의왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Jaui (자의대왕대비) |
16 December 1624 | December 1638 | 17 June 1649 husband's death |
20 September 1688 | |
| Yi Ho, King Hyojong |
Queen Inseon of the Deoksu Jang clan |
Princess Consort Pungan (풍안부부인) Queen Queen Dowager Hyosuk (효숙왕대비) |
9 February 1619 | 1649 | 23 June 1659 husband's death |
19 March 1674 |
| Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong |
Queen Myeongseong of the Cheongpung Kim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Hyeonryeol (현렬왕대비) |
13 June 1642 | 1659 | 17 September 1674 husband's death |
21 January 1684 |
| Yi Sun, King Sukjong |
Kim Ok-Hye, Queen Ingyeong of the Gwangsan Kim clan |
Crown Princess (왕세자빈) Queen |
25 October 1661 | 1674 | 16 December 1680 | |
| Queen Inhyeon of the Yeoheung Min clan |
Queen Deposed Queen (폐비) Queen |
15 May 1667 | 1681 | 5 March 1688 deposed |
||
| 1694 reinstallation |
16 September 1701 | |||||
| Jang Ok-jeong, Queen Buok of the Indong Jang clan |
Suk-won (숙원) So-ui (소의) Hui-bin (희빈) Queen Hui-bin (희빈) |
3 November 1659 | 1688 | 1694 deposed |
9 November 1701 | |
| Queen Inwon of the Gyeongju Kim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Hyesun (혜순왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Hyesun (혜순대왕대비) |
3 November 1687 | 1702 | 12 July 1720 husband's death |
13 May 1757 | |
| Yi Yun, King Gyeongjong |
Queen Danui of the Cheongsong Sim clan |
Crown Princess Consort (세자빈) | 11 July 1686 | 20 May 1696 | 8 March 1718 | |
| Queen Seonui of the Hamjong Eo clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Gyeongsun (경순왕대비) |
14 December 1705 | 1720 | 11 October 1724 husband's death |
12 August 1730 | |
| Yi Geum, King Yeongjo |
Queen Jeongseong of the Dalseong Seo clan |
Princess Consort Dalseong (달성군부인) Queen |
12 January 1693 | 30 November 1724 | 3 April 1757 | |
| Queen Jeongsun of the Gyeongju Kim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Yesun (예순왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Yesun (예순대왕대비) |
2 December 1745 | 1759 | 22 April 1776 husband's death |
11 February 1805 | |
| Yi San, King Jeongjo |
Queen Hyoui of the Cheongpung Kim clan |
Consort of the Heir grandson (세손빈) Queen Queen dowager |
5 January 1754 | 1776 | 18 August 1800 husband's death |
10 April 1821 |
| Yi Gong, King Sunjo |
Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan |
Queen Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong (명경왕대비) Grand Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong (명경대왕대비) |
8 June 1789 | 1802 | 13 December 1834 husband's death |
21 September 1857 |
| Yi Hwan, King Heonjong |
Queen Hyohyeon of the Andong Kim clan |
Queen | 27 April 1828 | 1837 | 18 October 1843 | |
| Queen Hyojeong of the Namyang Hong clan |
Queen Queen Mother Myeonghyeon Queen Dowager Myeongheon (명헌대비 → 명헌왕대비 → 명헌왕태후) Empress Dowager Myeongheon (명헌태후) |
6 March 1831 | 1844 | 25 July 1849 husband's death |
2 January 1904 | |
| Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong |
Queen Cheorin of the Andong Kim clan |
Queen Queen Mother Myeongsun (명순대비) Queen Dowager Myeongsun (명순대비) |
27 April 1837 | 1851 | 16 January 1864 husband's death |
12 June 1878 |
| Yi Hui, King Gojong Emperor Gwangmu |
Min Ja-yeong, Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan |
Queen (왕비 → 왕후) Queen Regent Queen (왕후) Queen Regent |
17 November 1851 | 20 March 1866 as wangbi |
January 1895 as wangbi | |
| January 1895 as wanghu |
8 October 1895 as wanghu | |||||
Korean Empire
| Emperor | Empress consort | Birth | Became empress consort | Ceased to be empress consort | Death | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posthumous name and maiden clan | Titles | |||||
| Yi Cheok, King Sunjong |
Empress Sunmyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan |
Imperial Crown Princess (황태자비) | 20 November 1872 | 5 November 1904 | ||
| Yun Jeung-sun, Empress Sunjeong of the Haepyeong Yun clan |
Imperial Crown Princess (황태자비) Empress Queen Consort Yi (이왕비) Queen Dowager Yi (이왕대비) |
19 September 1894 | 20 July 1907 | 29 August 1910 husband's deposition |
3 February 1966 | |
Queens and empresses dowager
Kingdom of Joseon
| King | Relationship with queen dowager | Queen dowager | Clan | Husband | Tenure | Death | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honorary name | Posthumous name | ||||||
| Yi Bang-won, King Taejong |
Wife of the king emeritus Sister-in-law |
Queen Dowager Sundeok | Queen Jeongan | Gyeongju Kim | Yi Gyeong, King Jeongjong |
28 November 1400 – 2 August 1412 | 2 August 1412 |
| Yi Do, King Sejong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother |
Queen Dowager Hudeok | Queen Wongyeong | Yeoheung Min | Yi Bang-won, King Taejong |
9 September 1418 – 18 August 1420 | 18 August 1420 |
| Yi Yu, King Sejo |
Wife of the king emeritus Niece-in-law |
Queen Dowager Uideok | Queen Jeongsun | Yeosan Song | Yi Hong-wi, King Danjong |
1455 – 1457 | 7 July 1521 |
| Yi Hwang, King Yejong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother |
Queen Dowager Jaseong | Queen Jeonghui | Papyeong Yun | Yi Yu, King Sejo |
1468 – 1469 | 6 May 1483 |
| Yi Hyeol, King Seongjong |
Widow of a previous king Aunt-in-law |
Queen Dowager Inhye | Queen Ansun | Cheongju Han | Yi Hwang, King Yejong |
1469 – 1494 | 3 February 1499 |
| Birth mother | Queen Dowager Insu | Queen Sohye | Cheongju Han | Yi Jang, Crown Prince Uigyeong | 1474 – 1494 | 11 May 1504 | |
| Yi Yung, Prince Yeonsan |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Queen Dowager Jasun | Queen Jeonghyeon | Papyeong Yun | Yi Hyeol, King Seongjong |
1494 – 13 September 1530 | 13 September 1530 |
| Yi Yeok, King Jungjong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother | ||||||
| Yi Ho, King Injong |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Queen Dowager Seongryeol | Queen Munjeong | Papyeong Yun | Yi Yeok, King Jungjong |
1544 – 1545 | 5 May 1565 |
| Yi Hwan, King Myeongjong |
Widow of a previous king Sister-in-law |
Queen Dowager Gongui | Queen Inseong | Bannam Park | Yi Ho, King Injong |
1545 – 6 January 1578 | 6 January 1578 |
| Yi Yeon, King Seonjo |
Widow of a previous king Aunt-in-law | ||||||
| Widow of a previous king Aunt-in-law Adopted mother |
Queen Dowager Uiseong | Queen Insun | Cheongsong Shim | Yi Hwan, King Myeongjong |
1567 – 12 February 1575 | 12 February 1575 | |
| Yi Hon, Prince Gwanghae |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Queen Dowager Soseong | Queen Inmok | Yeonan Kim | Yi Yeon, King Seonjo |
1608 – 1624 | 13 August 1632 |
| Yi Jong, King Injo |
Widow of a previous king Step-grandmother | ||||||
| Yi Ho, King Hyojong |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Queen Dowager Jaui | Queen Jangnyeol | Yangju Jo | Yi Jong, King Injo |
1649 – 1659 | 20 September 1688 |
| Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother |
Queen Dowager Hyosuk | Queen Inseon | Deoksu Jang | Yi Ho, King Hyojong |
1659 – 19 March 1674 | 19 March 1674 |
| Yi Sun, King Sukjong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother |
Queen Dowager Hyeonryeol | Queen Myeongseong | Cheongpung Kim | Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong |
1674 – 21 January 1684 | 21 January 1684 |
| Yi Yun, King Gyeongjong |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Queen Dowager Hyesun | Queen Inwon | Gyeongju Kim | Yi Sun, King Sukjong |
1720 – 11 October 1724 | 11 October 1724 |
| Yi Geum, King Yeongjo |
Widow of a previous king Sister-in-law |
Queen Dowager Gyeongsun | Queen Seonui | Hamjong Eo | Yi Yun, King Gyeongjong |
1724 – 12 August 1730 | 12 August 1730 |
| Yi San, King Jeongjo |
Widow of a previous king Step-grandmother |
Queen Dowager Yesun | Queen Jeongsun | Gyeongju Kim | Yi Geum, King Yeongjo |
27 April 1776 – 18 August 1800 | 11 February 1805 |
| Yi Gong, King Sunjo |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother Adopted mother |
Queen Dowager | Queen Hyoui | Cheongpung Kim | Yi San, King Jeongjo |
18 August 1800 − 10 April 1821 | 10 April 1821 |
| Yi Hwan, King Heonjong |
Widow of a previous king Grandmother |
Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong | Queen Sunwon | Andong Kim | Yi Gong, King Sunjo |
1834 | 21 September 1857 |
| Birth mother | Queen Dowager Hyoyu | Queen Sinjeong | Pungyang Jo | Yi Yeong, Crown Prince Hyomyeong |
1834 – 1857 | 4 June 1890 | |
| Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong |
Legal sister-in-law | ||||||
| Widow of a previous king Legal niece-in-law |
Queen Dowager Myeongheon | Queen Hyojeong | Namyang Hong | Yi Hwan, King Heonjong |
25 July 1849 – 1857 (as daebi) 1857 – January 1895 (as wangdaebi) January 1895 − 13 October 1897 (as wangtaehu) |
2 January 1904 | |
| Yi Hui, King Gojong |
Widow of a previous king | ||||||
| Widow of a previous king Legal aunt-in-law |
Queen Dowager Myeongsun | Queen Cheorin | Andong Kim | Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong |
1863 – 12 June 1878 (as daebi) |
12 June 1878 | |
Korean Empire
| Emperor | Relationship with empress dowager | Empress dowager | Clan | Husband | Tenure | Death | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honorary name | Posthumous name | ||||||
| Yi Hui, Emperor Gwangmu |
Widow of a previous king | Empress Dowager Myeongheon | Queen Hyojeong | Namyang Hong | Yi Hwan, King Heonjong |
13 October 1897 – 2 January 1904 | 2 January 1904 |
Grand queens dowager
| King | Relationship with grand queen dowager | Grand Queen dowager | Clan | Husband | Tenure | Death | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honorary name | Posthumous name | ||||||
| Yi Hyeol, King Seongjong |
Widow of a previous king Grandmother |
Grand Queen Dowager Jaseong | Queen Jeonghui | Papyeong Yun | Yi Yu, King Sejo |
1469 – 6 May 1483 | 6 May 1483 |
| Yi Yung, Prince Yeonsan |
Widow of a previous king Grand aunt-in-law |
Grand Queen Dowager Myeongui | Queen Ansun | Cheongju Han | Yi Hwang, King Yejong |
1494 – 3 February 1499 | 3 February 1499 |
| Grandmother | Grand Queen Dowager Insu | Queen Sohye | Cheongju Han | Yi Jang, Crown Prince Uigyeong |
1494 – 11 May 1504 | 11 May 1504 | |
| Yi Hwan, King Myeongjong |
Widow of a previous king Birth mother |
Grand Queen Dowager Seongryeol | Queen Munjeong | Papyeong Yun | Yi Yeok, King Jungjong |
1545 – 5 May 1565 | 5 May 1565 |
| Yi Jong, King Injo |
Widow of a previous king Step-grandmother |
Grand Queen Dowager Myeongryeol | Queen Inmok | Yeonan Kim | Yi Yeon, King Seonjo |
1624 – 13 August 1632 | 13 August 1632 |
| Yi Yeon, King Hyeonjong |
Widow of a previous king Step-grandmother |
Grand Queen Dowager Jaui | Queen Jangnyeol | Yangju Jo | Yi Jong, King Injo |
1659 – 20 September 1688 | 20 September 1688 |
| Yi Sun, King Sukjong |
Widow of a previous king Step-great-grandmother | ||||||
| Yi Geum, King Yeongjo |
Widow of a previous king Step-mother |
Grand Queen Dowager Hyesun | Queen Inwon | Gyeongju Kim | Yi Sun, King Sukjong |
1724 – 13 May 1757 | 13 May 1757 |
| Yi Gong, King Sunjo |
Widow of a previous king Step-great-grandmother |
Grand Queen Dowager Yesun | Queen Jeongsun | Gyeongju Kim | Yi Geum, King Yeongjo |
18 August 1800 − 11 February 1805 | 11 February 1805 |
| Yi Hwan, King Heonjong |
Widow of a previous king Grandmother |
Grand Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong | Queen Sunwon | Andong Kim | Yi Gong, King Sunjo |
1834 − 21 September 1857 | 21 September 1857 |
| Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong |
Widow of a previous king Adopted mother | ||||||
| Second cousin-in-law | Grand Queen Dowager Hyoyu | Queen Sinjeong | Pungyang Jo | Yi Yeong, Crown Prince Hyomyeong |
21 September 1857 − 4 June 1890 | 4 June 1890 | |
| Yi Hui, King Gojong |
Adopted mother | ||||||
See also
Notes
- 王 King + 妃 Consort
- 王 King + 大 Great + 妃 Consort
- 大 Great + 妃 Consort
- 大 Great + 王 King + 大 Great + 妃 Consort
- In Eastern Asia royalti, both 妃 and 后 used for part of consort's title and translated as consort in English. 后 usually used by chief consort of the sovereign monarch, while 妃 had lesser rank than 后.
- 皇 Imperial + 后 Consort
References
- "Chosŏn dynasty | Korean history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- Kang, Etsuko H. (1997). Diplomacy and Ideology in Japanese-Korean Relations: from the Fifteenth to the Eighteenth Century, p. 49.
