Have you ever been to a birthday party where the main event is letting a toddler choose their own future?
In Korea, that’s exactly what Dol celebrates. The family dresses their baby in a bright, traditional hanbok. And prepares a table full of fruit, rice cakes, and other lucky items. Friends and family gather together – waiting for the baby to crawl up and pick an object from the table. Baby’s choice gives a glimpse of their future.
Dol is a celebration that blends culture and fun. A day filled with joy and gratitude. Wondering how this tradition began? Let’s find out.
Dol
The first birthday babies have after they are born is called Dol. It is a celebration that marks a very important milestone. On Dol, families usually gather and hold a big party. This party is held to bless the baby with a future filled with prosperity.
So, how did the Dol ceremony start?
Although today, Korea has one of the top economies in the world and has a very impressive healthcare system. But this was not always the case.
In the past – when Korea was much poorer and healthcare system was not so good, the infant mortality rate was incredibly high, and many babies did not make it to their first birthday. Therefore, having a baby surviving their first birthday becomes an event worth celebrating.
Over time, this event grew into a beloved tradition. A celebration honoring life and the ties that hold families together.
Traditional Elements of a Dol Celebration
Dol celebration isn’t just a birthday—it’s a whole collection of rituals and symbols that families have cherished for generations.
Gifting Gold
It has been a long tradition to gift a gold ring to a baby on their first birthday. The gold signifies – longevity and hope for a prosperous life.
Wearing Hanbok
On the Dol day, parents dress their baby in a hanbok.
- Girls – usually wear bright colors like pink, yellow, or green.
- Boys- tend to go for blue or navy, often with a little hat called a hogeon.
Wearing a Dol belt
Along with the hanbok, babies also wear a dol-ddi. It is a traditional accessory. It is like a belt that signifies good fortune and a long, healthy life.
The belt contains five ornaments or charms across the front. Each ornament represents a different blessing. Like, for example:
- Rice – abundance
- Barley – wealth
- Jo Millet – peace
The Dol-Sang
The real centerpiece is the dol-sang, or first birthday table. It’s a feast for the eyes—piled high with fruits, rice cakes (tteok), and all sorts of traditional sweets. Everything on that table means something:
- Baekseolgi – soft white rice cake for purity and nobility
- Silk thread- wishing a long and happy life
- Fruits – means abundance and blessings
- Red bean rice cake – protection from evil spirits
- Five colored songpyeon – bring harmony and joy
- Jujube – Prosperity for descendants
- White rice – Boundless wealth, blessing of having things to eat
The Doljabi
It is a playful moment where the baby gets to pick from a bunch of objects, each one hinting at a possible future:
- Thread – means a long life.
- Pencil or book – points to wisdom or big academic dreams.
- Money or rice – for wealth and good fortune.
- Ball – means becoming an athlete
- Microphone – a celebrity or reporter
- Bow – soldier or police officer
- Gavel – means becoming a lawyer
- Stethoscope – doctor
- Calculator – becoming a financer
Dol in Modern Times
Dol is still rooted in tradition, but these days it’s got a modern twist. Now Koreans go all in to celebrate their baby’s first birthday.
Parents plan to have a special photoshoot for Dol. These days, it is a trend to do a photoshoot at a Hanok, wearing a hanbok. Parents and baby wear matching adorable hanbok during the photoshoot.
Parents book a lavish venue for the party. These parties typically take place in a wedding reception hall or banquet hall, or sometimes at a restaurant. These parties have a particular theme and decoration.
Modern day dol celebrations also include themed based cakes for the party. Parents prepare different kinds of games and quizzes for the guests. Making the party entertaining and engaging for the guests. Sometimes, some family members also prepare a dancing or singing performance.
Baby’s family also prepared a special, thoughtful return gift for the guests. Showing their gratitude for taking the time to attend their baby’s first birthday.
Conclusion
Dol isn’t simply a birthday party. It is this vibrant piece of Korea’s story—a mix of gratitude, love, and the grit that families have carried for generations.
Way back, Dol started as a way for families to give thanks when a child made it through their first tough year. Now, it’s a celebration packed with meaning. The baby’s bright hanbok, the dol-sang covered in symbolic foods, the fun and suspense of the doljabi—every part is soaked in the wishes and blessings of everyone who cares about that little one.
Written by – Aparna Sharma
About the Author –
Aparna has a deep curiosity for languages and global cultures. She enjoys diving into stories that offer fresh perspectives and meaningful connections. For her, writing is a way to process ideas and connect with others who share similar interests.