Traditional Holidays in Korea

Korea is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, and one of the most important aspects of this heritage is its traditional holidays. These holidays are deeply rooted in Korean history and culture, and they continue to be celebrated today as important cultural and social events.

Seollal Holiday

One of the most important Korean holidays is Seollal, also known as Lunar New Year. Seollal is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in late January or early February. Seollal is a time for families to come together, and it is one of the busiest travel times of the year in Korea. During Seollal, families perform ancestral rites and visit relatives, and children receive money in colorful envelopes as a New Year’s gift.

Chuseok Holiday

Another important Korean holiday is Chuseok, also known as the Harvest Moon Festival. Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which usually falls in late September or early October. Chuseok is a time to give thanks for the harvest and to honor one’s ancestors. During Chuseok, families prepare and share traditional foods such as songpyeon (a type of rice cake) and play traditional games such as ssireum (Korean wrestling).

Seokga Tansinil Holiday

Buddha’s Birthday, also known as Seokga Tansinil, is another important Korean holiday. This holiday falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which usually falls in May. Buddha’s Birthday is a time to honor the birth of the Buddha and to practice acts of kindness and generosity. During this holiday, people often decorate streets and temples with colorful lanterns, and there are parades and festivals throughout the country.

Dongji Holiday

Another important Korean holiday is Dongji, also known as Winter Solstice. Dongji is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, which usually falls on December 22 or 23. Dongji is a time to celebrate the coming of longer days and to enjoy warm, hearty foods such as patjuk (a red bean porridge) and tangyuan (a sweet rice ball soup).

There are also several other traditional Korean holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. For example, Samiljeol is celebrated on March 1st and commemorates the March 1st Independence Movement, a pivotal moment in Korean history that helped to spark the movement for Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule. Children’s Day, also known as Eorininal, is celebrated on May 5th and is a day to honor and celebrate children. White Day, on the other hand, is celebrated on March 14th and is a day for men to give gifts to the women in their lives in return for Valentine’s Day gifts.

In addition to these traditional holidays, there are also many modern holidays that are celebrated in Korea, such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. These holidays have been adopted from Western culture and have been embraced to fit Korean traditions and customs.

Celebrating traditional Korean holidays is an important part of Korean culture and helps to reinforce the country’s sense of identity and community. These holidays provide an opportunity for people to come together, to reflect on their shared history and traditions, and to celebrate the unique cultural heritage of Korea.

Today, traditional Korean holidays continue to be celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country. These holidays are a time for families to come together, to share food and gifts, and to honor their ancestors and cultural heritage. Whether it’s Seollal, Chuseok, or any of the other traditional Korean holidays, these celebrations are an important part of Korean culture and continue to be cherished and celebrated by Koreans of all ages.

By KJNOW-Journalistboard Anuki De Silva