Wetland awareness is a crucial factor for wetland conservation and management. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for the understanding of wetland awareness as associated with history, culture, and social-economics of human society. In addition, a historical investigation of the causes and areas of destruction is important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to confirm how people understood and managed wetlands in the Joseon Dynasty using historical records (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty). Approximately twenty words were found in the historical records that were used to indicate and describe wetlands and/or wet soil conditions. Most records of wetlands have a negative context. This negative attitude towards wetlands could have influenced wetland use. Most wetlands had been converted to cultivation areas especially rice paddies although some wetlands, which were used for irrigation of cultivated crops or reclaimed as cultural land had been specially managed. Because wetlands were poorly drained soil and were located near streams or rivers, they were culturally important within the environment as water for rice paddies.