Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is a unique cultural celebration in South Korea, akin to each country’s distinctive New Year traditions. It honors ancestors and emphasizes family bonds through time-honored rituals, showcasing Korea’s rich heritage and values of respect and unity within the community.
Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is typically celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which falls between late January and mid-February each year. The exact date varies annually based on the lunar cycle.
Cultural Value
Seollal is more than just a holiday; it’s a deeply rooted cultural tradition that strengthens family ties, honors ancestors, and connects Koreans to their heritage and community. Seollal is a time when family members from near and far come together to celebrate. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and ancestral heritage. Many Koreans travel long distances to be with their families during this time.
Various customs are observed during Seollal, such as wearing hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), bowing to elders (sebae), playing traditional games (such as yutnori), and enjoying special foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). These customs help preserve Korean cultural heritage and reinforce social bonds.
Seollal marks the beginning of the lunar new year, symbolizing new beginnings, renewal, and hope for prosperity in the coming year. It’s a time for reflection on the past year and making resolutions for the future.
Celebrating Seollal reinforces a sense of community and shared identity among Koreans. It’s not only a familial event but also a national one, with public holidays and widespread participation across the country.
Traditional practices
The Korean Lunar New Year, is rich with traditional rituals and customs that hold deep cultural significance.
Charye (Ancestral Rites): This is one of the most important rituals during Seollal.
Families gather to pay respects to their ancestors by setting up an ancestral altar (jesa) with offerings of food and drink. They bow and perform rituals to honor their ancestors, seeking blessings for the upcoming year.
Sebae (New Year’s Bow): Younger family members perform a deep bow to their elders as a sign of respect and well-wishing for the new year. In return, elders give blessings and often give gifts or money (sebaetdon) to the younger generation.
Games and Activities: Traditional games like yutnori (a board game played with sticks) and neolttwigi (a seesaw game) are often played during Seollal to bring joy and entertainment to the gathering. These games also have symbolic meanings related to
luck and prosperity.
Jesa (Family Rituals): In addition to the ancestral rites (charye), families may conduct jesa ceremonies to honor deceased family members and ancestors. This involves setting up another altar and making offerings similar to charye but specifically focused on family members.
Ethnic Delicacies During Seollal, several traditional foods hold special significance and are commonly prepared to mark the occasion.
Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup): Perhaps the most iconic dish of Seollal, tteokguk is a soup made with sliced rice cakes (tteok) in a clear broth. It symbolizes gaining a year of age and is believed to bring good luck and health for the new year.
Jeon (Savory Pancakes): Various types of jeon, which are savory pancakes, are prepared during Seollal. They can be made with ingredients such as vegetables (pa jeon), seafood (haemul jeon), or meat (soegogi jeon). Jeon symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles): Japchae is a dish made from stir-fried glass noodles mixed with vegetables and sometimes meat. It’s a popular dish during celebrations and represents longevity and prosperity.
Yakgwa (Honey Cookies): Yakgwa are deep-fried honey cookies made from wheat flour, sesame oil, honey, and ginger juice. They are shaped into various intricate designs and symbolize wishes for sweetness and happiness in the new year.
Namul (Seasoned Vegetables): A variety of namul, which are seasoned vegetables, are served during Seollal. They can include spinach, fernbrake (gosari), bean sprouts, and more. Namul represents health and vitality.
Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage): Sundae is a type of Korean blood sausage made with pig’s intestines stuffed with cellophane noodles, barley, and pork blood. It’s a traditional dish enjoyed during Seollal.
Yaksik (Sweet Rice Cake): Yaksik is a sweet rice cake made with glutinous rice, nuts, dried fruit, and sweetened with honey or brown sugar. It symbolizes good health and prosperity.