• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.453-466
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the origin of make-up and the beginning of 'Yoenji' cosmetics. The result of this study is as follows: 1. The origin of make-up can be summarized as being originated from the sexual display to maintain tribes and incantatory religion for their existence. The reason for the preference to Yeonji in make-up is that Yeonji has a characteristic of red in color, which seems to hold effective for the sexual display of human beings. 2. The origin of Yeonji (焉支; Safflower) was from Egypt, but its inception as a cosmetic product was with Huns. 'Yeonji' was a term of Hungro race, and was also called Unji (焉支), Yeonji (燕支), Inji (姻支), Urji (閼氏), following the similarity of the sound. These terms were not only the interpretation of the Hunnish sound into Chinese, but also allegorical expression. Unji (焉支), Yeonji (燕支), and Inji (姻支) meant Safflower. Urji(閼氏) meant 'Empress' or 'Wife,' which was pronounced Yeonji (燕支) and Asi (閼氏).

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.425-437
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• 2006

The focus of this study is on the diffusion and aspects of Yoenji make-up in China. The diffusion of Yoenji make-up into China was achieved by Zhuang-Kun's departure for the West of China, after Emperor Moo of Han Dynasty defeated the Huns (B.C. 121). The Yoenji make-up is basically used as a unique sign and from the result of excessive development from the facial beauty point in accordance with luxurious Court culture and opening door of culture. It can diversely express kinds, names, ways, types and patterns, places and bodily parts, the colors of materials for use, and time zones of a make-up.