In this paper, the meaning of alcohol in classical poetry was tried to study in depth and by thematic approaching. Based on the purposes and situations of alcohol, how the kinds of alcohol were different, how the potency and meaning of alcohol were recognized and what meaning alcohol implied in the works are searched.
The meaning of alcohol was presented well in the record of the ear of King Seongjong in “Goryeosa”, which said the bars, ’Seongrye(成禮)’, ’Nakbin(樂賓)’, ‘Yeonryeong(延齡)’, ‘Yeongaek(靈液)’, ‘Okjang(玉漿)’, ‘Heuibin(喜賓)’, etc., were built on the days of Gihae(己亥日), October, in winter. After looking at the potency and meaning of alcohol in classical poetry, themes of classical poetry were divided into sympathy and communication of God and human, praying for good fortune, being excited under the influence of drink, being in harmony with people, vanity of life, relieving anxiety, self-consolation, defeating devil, remedy, hoping for long life, imagination of transcendence, and realization of an immortal world. There were drinking which makes people attempt the unity and concord of their members offering alcohol to gods, enjoys the complacency and pleasure of this moment putting off concerning, comforts his or herself in frailty of human life, cures a disease, prays for longevity, and imitates the transcendence and composure of an immortal world. According to the purpose of alcohol, the way to make alcohol and its kinds were different.
In this paper, however, if subjects of studies are extended to Chinese poetry or other classics, more drinks and more meaning will be figured out. Henceforward, Korean drinking custom should be considered with theme of works and inner side of speaker beyond the aspect of subject matter.