Festivals of all kinds are celebrated all over the world. They can be big or small, and they can be about anything. Thousands of countries celebrate their traditional festivals, which have been around for thousands of years. In South Korea, one of our biggest festivals is the Lunar New Year, called Seollal. Seollal’s festivities last for three days, the day before Seollal, the day of, and the day after.
The central themes of Seollal are family and respect for the elderly. Usually, all members of the family gather at the house of the oldest male relative to celebrate. When they are all gathered in one place, they enjoy traditional games, eat traditional New Year’s Day food, hold rituals to honor ancestors, and pass on the tradition to the younger generation.
Although it may differ from family to family, many prepare food for the family the day before Seollal. The female members, including the girls in the family, partake in cooking. One of the most well-known and important dishes is Deokguk. Its main ingredient is sliced rice cakes cooked in a beef broth and garnished with cooked eggs and vegetables.
Deokguk is served for breakfast on the day of Seollal, which symbolizes good luck for the year. Besides Deokguk, people enjoy traditional Korean desserts such as rice cakes, cookies, and nuts. Preparing for Seollal helps the children learn traditional food recipes and learn about helping others.
After breakfast, the entire family gathers in a room to honor and respect the elderly of the family through a special bow called Jeol. It is tradition to wear Hanbok, traditional Korean attire made of muslin, silk, or satin when performing Jeol.
The kids, or typically younger members of the family, are taught to bow and honor their elders and show their appreciation. In return, as a gift, the elders hand out money and wish them good luck for the year. The process of bowing to the elderly can sometimes be a bore to the children in the family, but the monetary gift is something they can look forward to.
Afterward, the family may engage in many traditional folk games, including Hwatu, the Korean version of playing cards made of plastic. Another famous game is Yut Nori, a Korean board game played with four wooden sticks. The sticks are thrown in the air, and according to their land position, the players advance their markers.
Family members enjoy each other’s company and strengthen their bonds while playing traditional games passed down from generation to generation. These activities shape Korea’s culture and society by exposing the younger generations to entertaining cultural traditions.
Ancestors are an important part of the Korean family structure. Therefore, some families set up a ceremony to honor the ancestors on the paternal side of the family. Different types of food, including fish, fruit, rice, soup, and dessert, are served on a large table. Then, the family members take turns bowing in front of the table as a means to remember the ancestors, thank them for their sacrifices, and pray to them to grant safety and good luck to the family. Although the children usually do not participate in this ritual, they are gradually taught and start participating as they age. This tradition brings families together and has been practiced for hundreds of years.
Seollal is not only celebrated in Korea. Korean families in different countries celebrate it as well, but in simpler ways. Many Korean families in foreign countries prepare Ddeokguk, spend time with family, and play folk games as well. However, the ceremony honoring the ancestors is usually uncommonly practiced because it can be difficult for everyone to gather in one place.
Although Korean people in foreign countries may not experience an identical festive atmosphere, the emphasis Seollal has on a family is equal. The impact Seollal has, even in various corners of the world, implies how well Koreans have kept their traditions and how much they value their time with their families.
Eating traditional food and playing folk games with family members impact society in a positive way. Korea’s Lunar New Year is considered one of the most well-known and celebrated festivals in Korea and around the world because nearly all Korean people celebrate and appreciate it.
Seollal shapes and preserves Korean society by illustrating the history of the Korean lunar calendar and showing the younger generation the importance of tradition, culture, and respect for their elders. It brings together the young and the old, making this festival unique and valuable.
By: Jonathan Park
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