Korean New Year

Seollal, or Korean New Year, is a special festival and national holiday celebrated by ethnic Koreans in both North Korea and South Korea, as well as by Korean communities around the world. It marks the first day of the Korean lunisolar calendar and is one of the most important traditional holidays.

During Seollal, many Koreans visit their families, perform ancestral rites, wear traditional hanbok clothing, enjoy special meals, and take part in folk games.

A well-known custom is for children to bow to their elders and receive money in return. This tradition likely comes from Confucian customs. Seollal usually happens in January or February, on the second new moon after the winter solstice, unless there is an extra month in the calendar before the New Year, in which case it falls on the third new moon after the solstice. The holiday is a time for family, tradition, and celebration.

Names

'Seollal' usually means Eumnyeok Seollal (Korean: 음력 설날; Hanja: 陰曆설날; lit. ''lunar new year''), also called 'Gujeong' (Korean: 구정; Hanja: 舊正).

'Seollal' can also mean Yangnyeok Seollal (Korean: 양력 설날; Hanja: 陽曆설날; lit. ''solar new year'' on Gregorian January 1), also known as Sinjeong (신정; 新正).

History

Seollal, the Korean New Year, has a long history. Old Chinese books from the 7th century show that people in ancient Korea had special festivals and rituals. These traditions continued through different kingdoms and into today.

When Japan ruled Korea, people could not celebrate Seollal. After Korea became free, people brought back this important holiday. Now, Seollal is a national holiday in both North and South Korea, letting everyone honor their traditions.

Customs

The Korean New Year, called Seollal, is a special time for families to come together. Many people travel back to their hometowns to visit parents and relatives. They spend three days celebrating, which includes the day before, the day of, and the day after the New Year.

During this time, families perform a special ritual called charye to honor their ancestors. This involves placing traditional foods on a table and bowing in respect.

People often wear beautiful traditional clothing called hanbok for this celebration, though many now choose modern clothes. After the ritual, families share a big feast together. Koreans also follow a special zodiac pattern, just like the Chinese zodiac, with twelve animals representing each year. They believe these animals bring certain qualities and luck for the year ahead.

Another tradition is lighting a "moon house" made from firewood and branches, which is thought to keep away bad spirits and bring good wishes for the new year.

Sebae

Sebae (Korean: 세배; Hanja: 歳拜; lit. ''worship elders'') is a special tradition done during the Korean New Year called Seollal. People wear traditional clothes and show respect to their elders, like grandparents, parents, and aunts and uncles, by bowing deeply. They say, "saehae bok mani badeuseyo" which means "Please receive a lot of good fortune for the New Year." In return, elders often give children new year's money, called Sebaet Don, usually in beautiful silk bags. They might also share wise words or give rice cakes and fruit.

New Year food

Tteokguk

Main article: Tteokguk

The main dish eaten on New Year's Day in South Korea is tteokguk. It is a special soup with rice cakes called tteok. The rice cakes are cooked in a broth made from beef. They are topped with thin slices of egg, green onion, and meat. The white color of the rice cakes stands for purity and cleanliness. Eating tteokguk is believed to add another year to your life, making it a joyful part of the celebration.

Jeon

Main article: Jeon (food)

Savory pancakes called jeon are a tasty part of the Korean New Year feast. These pancakes are filled with ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables. They are fried until crispy. Popular fillings include shredded beef, oysters, kimchi, and green onions. Jeon is often enjoyed with a spicy mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and Korean chili powder. Traditionally, jeon is made for special occasions like the New Year.

Japchae

In addition to birthdays and weddings, japchae is also served during the New Year. Japchae is a colorful noodle dish with beef, vegetables like spinach and carrots, and clear noodles made from potato starch. It is stir-fried in a tasty sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Though it has changed over time, japchae remains a favorite dish for celebrations.

Folk games

See also: Traditional games of Korea

During Korean New Year, families enjoy many fun traditional games. A popular game is yutnori, a board game played with special sticks that everyone can enjoy. Children often play top spinning (paengi), where they spin a little toy top. Boys might fly rectangle kites called Yeon, or play jegichagi, kicking a light object wrapped in paper like a footbag. Girls might enjoy neolttwigi, jumping on a seesaw, or gongginori, a game with small stones or toys. Some adults now play Go-Stop instead of the older card game hwatu.