Korean New Year
10 - February 12, Saturday – Monday
History and Meaning of the Holiday
Korean New Year has a history dating back thousands of years, dating back to ancient agrarian societies, when people celebrated the change of seasons and expressed gratitude to spirits for a good harvest. An important part of the holiday is the cult of ancestors, who, according to beliefs, continue to play a significant role in the lives of their descendants. The holiday is a time when families gather together to worship ancestors and perform rituals aimed at attracting good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Traditions and Customs
Sebae - Worship of the Elders. In Korea, it is customary to begin the New Year with a deep bow (sebae) to the elders of the family, expressing respect and gratitude. In return, the elders give the younger ones "sebetton" (gifts or money), and also give instructions for the coming year.
Chare - Ancestor Worship Rite. On New Year's Day, the chare ritual is performed, when the family gathers at memorial tables dedicated to ancestors and offers them food and drinks. This ritual is considered very important, as Koreans believe that their ancestors protect and bless them.
Traditional Food. Many special dishes are prepared for the New Year, which symbolize good luck, health and longevity. The main dish is tteokguk - a soup made from rice cakes. It is believed that when a person eats a bowl of tteokguk, he symbolically becomes a year older.
Folk Games. During the Seolnal celebration, Koreans play traditional games. One of the most popular games is yuutnori, a stick game that is usually played by the whole family. Other popular activities include kites, spinning tops, swinging, and other activities.
Wearing a hanbok. It is customary to wear traditional Korean clothing, hanbok, on Korean New Year. It symbolizes respect for tradition and emphasizes the importance of the moment. Hanbok can be bright and festive, using many colors.
Korean New Year in other years
- 2022 1 - February 3, Tuesday – Thursday
- 2023 22 - January 24, Sunday – Tuesday
- 2025 29 - January 31, Wednesday – Friday