고려의 ‘不稱姓’의 특권과 王家

Abstract

In the pre-modern times, calling one's name was a means to cement the stratification of status. As well as reference and address terms for others to call themselves, whether calling oneself in front of others also was determined by one's status. In the tenth year of Yejong's reign (1114), appellation that should be used in private letters as well as official documents was prescribed. What is intriguing is that the principle of stratification also acted in calling last name in Goryeo. One's last name not being called was a kind of privilege in Goryeo. In other words, whether one's last name was called or not was a standard to differentiate the hierarchy in the bureaucracy, and in Goryeo the royal family and high officials received respectful treatment of their last name not being called. However, the royal privilege of unspoken family name essentially had a different meaning from that of high officials. Not calling the last names of high officials was basically a means to represent that they were in the relationship of ruler and ruled, while the royal privilege of unspoken family name was a device to show that they and the king had special relationship. As the two groups' not calling the last name had a very different meaning, inevitably the scope of application of such rule differed. In the case of high officials, their last name not being called was applied only to certain cases while the royal family was granted such privilege in all areas related to public affairs. The institution of the royal privilege of unspoken family name essentially had a different meaning from that of high officials. that seems to have already started during Hyeonjong at the latest existed solely in Goryeo. Those who became the son-in-laws of the royal family with different last names received such benefits; the principle of bilateral kindred operated in Goyreo. The royal privilege of unspoken family name contributed to sanctification of royal family, conducive to stabilization of the Goryeo's royal authority. In fact, the royal privilege of unspoken family name was a device for the royal family name not to be called in public affairs. When a national ceremony was held, the royal family name was not able to be called and in all kinds of public documents, the royal family name was not able to be used. the royal family name also was not able to be inscribed in writings. The principle of avoiding calling one's original names--that a noble subject should not be called nor written--was applied to the royal family name. Through such principle, the royal family name was able to obtain political and social position as a noble last name, which helped the Goryeo royal family to monopolize the throne.