A Study on Nail Art Design Based on the Formative and Symbolic Characteristics of ‘Hogapto’: Focused on the Empress Attire of the Qing Dynasty

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of expanding nail art design by applying the formative and symbolic characteristics of Hogapto—a traditional nail guard used in the Qing Dynasty’s imperial court—to contemporary nail art. The Qing Dynasty, the last feudal kingdom of China, is known for its elaborate royal attire and accessories, which symbolized hierarchical status and authority. Hogapto, used for nail protection, decoration, and as a status symbol, exemplified the refined aesthetic of imperial women’s fashion. This study analyzed the formative elements, color schemes, and decorative patterns found in the attire of Qing Dynasty empresses and developed four nail art designs inspired by them. Each design reinterprets traditional symbolism and aesthetic features through modern nail art techniques, with Hogapto as the central motif, representing elegance, blessing, and dignity. While modern nail art is increasingly being recognized as an art form beyond beauty, few studies have integrated the symbolic and formative aesthetics of traditional royal elements—particularly Hogapto—into nail design. This research contributes to the enhancement of artistic diversity in nail art and suggests the potential for reinterpreting traditional culture in contemporary beauty design. It also presents meaningful implications for the sustainable development of cultural heritage in the beauty industry.The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of expanding nail art design by applying the formative and symbolic characteristics of Hogapto—a traditional nail guard used in the Qing Dynasty’s imperial court—to contemporary nail art. The Qing Dynasty, the last feudal kingdom of China, is known for its elaborate royal attire and accessories, which symbolized hierarchical status and authority. Hogapto, used for nail protection, decoration, and as a status symbol, exemplified the refined aesthetic of imperial women’s fashion. This study analyzed the formative elements, color schemes, and decorative patterns found in the attire of Qing Dynasty empresses and developed four nail art designs inspired by them. Each design reinterprets traditional symbolism and aesthetic features through modern nail art techniques, with Hogapto as the central motif, representing elegance, blessing, and dignity. While modern nail art is increasingly being recognized as an art form beyond beauty, few studies have integrated the symbolic and formative aesthetics of traditional royal elements—particularly Hogapto—into nail design. This research contributes to the enhancement of artistic diversity in nail art and suggests the potential for reinterpreting traditional culture in contemporary beauty design. It also presents meaningful implications for the sustainable development of cultural heritage in the beauty industry.