There is one day in Korea that makes everyone fall in love with Korea country.You think January 1st is important day in Korea.But wait a minute,the real deal for Korean people is Seollal,Korean new year's day.Seollal is real deal for them.Seollal is biggest national holiday in Korea.lunar new year in Korea is known as Seollal.Korean people always eager for this day.It is chance to us to explore and get valuable knowledge about the traditional culture of Korea by understanding the customs and rituals of Seollal festival.Koreans love to maintain traditional culture and Seollal festival is stamped on their minds.
Let's go in details.
Rituals and customs of Seollal or Korean lunar new year's Day
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| Seollal,Korean New Year's day |
New year's eve tradition and Family gathering
On Seollal,many people travel to their hometowns for their families and friends.Seollal is the time in a year when all family colleagues come together to spend happy valuable time.There is interesting tradition on the eve of the Seollal many people bring their shoes inside before going to bed to prevent them by reckless spirit. |
| New Year's Eve Look in Korea |
Praying for Ancestors (Ancestors rituals-Charye)
Korean begin new year morning with the bell sound coming from Bosingak bell pavilion.Traditional Seollal is time where people takes time from daily routine and giving homage to ancestors.Koreans hold memorial ceremony or Jisa for their ancestors on the anniversary of their death on the holiday.They perform ancestral rites are chatting which looks similar to memorial ceremony but have different objective to give thanks to ancestors. |
| Ancestor Rituals |
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| Korean New Year's Rituals |
Wearing special traditional Clothes (Seolbum)
On the new year's day everyone wear the special clothes called as Seolbum meaning new cloths.Generally they are hanbok,korea's traditional costume. |
| Traditional Hanbok Costume |
Setting up table with traditional foods
The table setting for ancestral rites on Seollal includes traditional soup Teokguk,fruits that have stored through the winter,pan fried foods first dipped in flour and egg,grilled beef and vegetable,leaf on stewards.Garaetteok is kind of rice cake made by kneading steamed rice flour dells in forming it into long narrow cylinders.Garaetteok is main ingredient in Korean traditional soup Teokguk.Garaetteok is made in long strength to symbolise healthy long life.Traditionally people dedicate these rites to four generations of ancestors,The ancestor rites of Seollal are beautiful ritual that offers a glimpse into Korean virtual filial piety.
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| Traditional Foods for Seollal |
Gaining Virtue by drinking liquor to ancestors (Eumbok)
After the ancestor rites,there is traditional where Everyone is encouraged to participate because drinking the liquor we had served to the ancestors help us to share our ancestors virtue,Eumbok tradition is said to bring you good luck and virtue in new year.Make sure to drink in moderation so you don't get drunk.
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| Korean New Year Rituals-Eumbok |
Giving Respect and wishes to elders (Sebae)
Peoples all dressed up in their traditionally clothes fell deeply to their elders.This traditional is called as Sebae.This expresses respect and wishes for health for those elders who are still with us.The elders who receives Sebae,elders give new year wishes and pocket money for the children having many adults in family.
Bokjori is another symbol of the wish for good luck,Jory are says used when washing rice.It is said that hanging straw bokjori filters out bad luck and brings an only good luck throughout the new year.That's why Korean people buy bokjori no one tries to hangles over the price
Bokjori is another symbol of the wish for good luck,Jory are says used when washing rice.It is said that hanging straw bokjori filters out bad luck and brings an only good luck throughout the new year.That's why Korean people buy bokjori no one tries to hangles over the price
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| Bow- Respect Elders |
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| Bokjori-Symbol of Luck |
Enjoyments of Seollal (Playing Games together)
After the ancestral rites and Sebae, the families go out together to old palaces,museums or amusement park.Many are free and there are many special events to make Seollal even more enjoyable.some families uses extended holidays to go on trips.
Koreans play variety of traditional games-
Jegichagi-Kicking shuttlecock made by wrapping cock in paper or cloth.it is easy game which can be enjoyed by everyone,It is competition to see who can keep shuttlecock up in the air longest.
Yunnori is traditional game in which four oblong stakes act like dice.This game is won by moving stones around the board faster.This game play together with family members and friends.
There is one another delight waiting on Seollal's is kite flying or Yeonnalligi.Wishing fo the luck for flying kites.people compete to be who can fly their kite with highest or far there .it is said that,people can get rid of all their bid life by writing their,names on kite or letting to fly high into the sky.
There is one another delight waiting on Seollal's is kite flying or Yeonnalligi.Wishing fo the luck for flying kites.people compete to be who can fly their kite with highest or far there .it is said that,people can get rid of all their bid life by writing their,names on kite or letting to fly high into the sky.
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| Korean traditional Game-Yunnori |
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| Kite for Seollal |
At first glance it is look like a day of work but closer look reveals Seollal is precious holiday to spend together and wish each other.A great new year wishing a happy new year.
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| Happy Korean New Year |
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