Traditional Celebrations
Birthdays
Eating Seaweed Soup is a staple for Korean birthdays. This meal is known for giving lots of nutrients and strength, during pregnancy, to expecting mother's. Seaweed soup is also typically eaten by pregnant women for one month after childbirth, due to its' richness in Iodine and Calcium. So, eating this on birthdays is a reminder to the children of the pain the mother went through for them.
Influenced recently by Western culture, Koreans now often eat cake on birthdays, as well. Something that most Westerners might find strange, however, is that Koreans don't turn one year older on their birthday. On New Years' day, everyone in South Korea turns one year older... together. It is just another way to symbolize their unity as a nation. |
Weddings
For Korean weddings, there is no "proposal." The man does not get down on one knee. The couple simply just talks about marriage and picks a date. However, some younger couples will still try to 'surprise' their significant other with some sort of grand gesture, but ONLY after the agreement was already reached. There are also no wedding or engagement rings! This is more of a generational thing, but Koreans believe they are not just uniting two individuals- but also two families. Parents, unlike in American culture, will typically only meet ONE significant other- the one you intend to marry.
Engagements also don't last for more than one year! It is common, in Korea, to get engaged and then have the wedding only 3 months later! You can just select a wedding venue, and they plan everything for you! The only drawbacks of a wedding venue? There will be other brides in rooms right next door to you, and you will also be rushed out when your 'time' is up, so that the venue can prepare for the next wedding. |
Wedding gowns are rented (because most girls, in Korea, are the same size). The two families can invite ANYONE- even if neither the Bride nor Groom have ever met them! The worst part about it is that it is customary for the Bride and Groom to greet every person that is in attendance, as a way to thank them for coming to their wedding, and there is no "RSVP" beforehand. So, you could EASILY have hundreds of people show up, depending on how many people your family invites.
There are also no wedding registries. Guests just bring an envelope of money as the gift. It is also not bad luck for the Bride and Groom to see each other before the wedding... in fact- they travel to the venue together! There are typically no bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, or flower girls! The ENTIRE wedding ceremony is usually completed in 30 minutes and although there is gathering after the ceremony, it is just for eating and greeting the newly weds - no dancing, DJs, or speeches! After the meal, a separate ceremony occurs, just for the family members. This is where the couple will bow to their parents, while wearing the traditional Korean Hanboks, and receive a marital blessing. |
Funerals
Korean funerals typically last for 3 full days. There are these buildings, called Janglyesikjang in Korean, that are basically hotels for funerals. Families can 'rent' out a mourning room and this usually occurs right after death.
1st day: Family, friends and even people who didn't know the deceased, but came with their friend or coworker, will come! The family will often spend the night in the mourning room, so that the deceased will not be lonely. There will be a big picture of the loved one, with two black ribbons across the top of the frame. The family will also sit on the floor, on the right side of the room. When you enter, take off your shoes, bow to the deceased's picture and then bow to the family. After the bow, you can shake hands, hug, or offer your condolences. Also, put money into a condolence envelope with your name (written vertically) on it. |
There is a meal after you pay your respects, where much alcohol is provided so that the guests can be loud and happy. During the meal, the mourners can laugh and share stories of the deceased, rather than be filled with sadness. The family will remain in the mourning room, with the body.
2nd day: Body prepping. The hair and makeup of the deceased will be done, and the family will say their goodbyes/hold hands with their loved one. A cloth is then placed over the head and body, in a ritual fashion, and then lowered into the coffin. 3rd day: Family will process out of the building. There will be a designated "leader" who will stand in front of the casket, holding the picture of the deceased. The casket will then be carried to the car, by male family members. Only family and those really close to the deceased will typically attend the 3rd day proceedings. |
Baby's 1st birthday and 1st 100 days of life
Korean couples are expected to have a child within the first 2 years of marriage. After the child is born, there are two note- worthy celebrations held: the first 100 days of life and the first birthday.
The 100-day celebration is when the baby is introduced to everyone! Unlike in Western culture, no one can visit the new mother at the hospital after the baby is born. Koreans believe that the first 100 days of life are the MOST important days in development, so after that, the child can be taken outdoors and introduced to neighbors, family and friends. The first birthday (also known as Doljanchi) is where the child is dressed in a traditional Korean Hanbok and all of the normal family/friends festivities ensue... aside from the main even: Toljabee! This is when the child is seated in front of a table with foods and other objects. They are then expected to pick an object off of the table. Koreans believe that the 1st or 2nd item the child chooses, will describe their future. (Woah... and this is all on their 1st birthday!) Examples: -If money or rice is selected, the child will be rich -If a needle and thread are selected, they will live a long life -If a Jujube is selected, they will have many descendants |
Chilseok
Traditional Korean Valentine's Day! This date falls on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar year. During this time, the Summer heat fades away and the monsoon season begins. Rain during this period of time is called "Chilseok water"... and here's why.
Legend has it that there are two sides of the universe. On one side, lived a weaver (and daughter of a King), named Jiknyeo. On the other side, lived a sheep and cow herder, named Gyeonwu. The two caught sight of each other one day, and fell in love. They received the King's (Jiknyeo's father) blessing to get married. However, the two were so in love that they stopped weaving and herding. The King did not like this, so he separated them. Only once a year- because the crows and magpies build a bridge for them to cross- can they meet again. You guessed it... that day is the 7th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar year! |
After only a short time of being together, the lovers soon realize that they will have to wait another year to meet again, and begin to weep... thus beginning the monsoon season. Koreans eat wheat flour noodles and grilled wheat cake during this time, as well as take mineral baths for their health.
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Cheongwoldaeboreum
This is celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar calendar year, on the first full moon. In old times, people would pray to the moon for good harvests, and today, there are specific foods that should be eaten on this day, for your health. These foods include: "Ohgokbap" (pictured), which is a rice dish served with 5 different grains (including beans), and also "Bureom." This translates into 'biting nuts,' so on this holiday, you must break nuts and eat them for the good harvest ahead. Traditionally, people break the same amount of nuts as their age, but it is important to throw away the first nut outside! 귀빨기술 (gwibbalgisul) is an ear- quickening wine that is also drunk on this day, to help their ears remain open to hearing good news all year! People also enjoy burning large bonfire pits made of branches and leaves, called 'daljip.'
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Dano
On the 5th day, of the 5th month of the Lunar calendar year, this celebration is dedicated to the Sun God! Many rituals are done on this day for health and familial protections. Women often put flowers in their hair and was it with a special aromatic Iris shampoo on this day! The Iris aroma is said to repel evil away from the women and their families. This holiday is also similar to the American "Spring Cleaning," where as people spend the day cleaning all of their linens and other areas of their home. Gangwon-do, South Korea is a famous location of a Dano Festival. It's filled with fireworks, many rituals, traditional music, Gwanno mask drama performances, oral narrative poetry, etc...
At this festival, you can also find one of the largest outdoor markets in Korea, and it is customary to offer freshly- picked cherries to your ancestors on this day! |
Dongzhi Festival
This festival occurs during the "Winter Solstice" every year, according to the... yep, you guessed it... Lunar calendar year! This is considered the longest night of the year, and in ancient times, the townspeople would be given calendars- by the King and Queen- so that they could better prepare their harvests. I hope that by now, you are able to see that good harvests are very important to the Korean way of life! Due to this historic value, it is still common to give someone a calendar on this day! Putting a 동지부적 (paper with the Chinese word for "snake") up on your wall- upside down- will also ward away any evil spirits! On the Dongzhi day, the weather is very important. If there is warm weather, it means many people will die in the coming year. If there is cold weather, it means good harvests! There are lots of red bean- things eaten on this day to bring luck, prosperity and safety to Korean households. Red beans are also nutritionally good for helping redness of skin, colon health and even fevers!
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Double Third Festival
On the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the Chinese calendar, this holiday (otherwise known as "Cleansing day") is observed! Many people perform rituals to prevent disease and it is common, among the participators in this holiday, to go out on a picnic and pluck orchids by the water. This celebrates the arrival of Spring and Korean people typically make rice cakes, on this day. There are also a few things that, if seen on Double Third Day, signify future luck or misfortune. For example:
-If you see a snake, you will have good luck -If you see a yellow butterfly, you will be met with good fortune -However... if you see a white butterfly, you'd better pretend you didn't. This means death will come to you very soon. |
Cold Food Festival
This festival date is always held from April 5th until April 7th. Like most traditions, this too was based off a legend.
A Prince, facing hardships, needing saving. A kind young man, named 'Jie' helped the Prince, by cutting off a piece of flesh from his own thigh, since he had no other food to offer. When the Prince became the Duke of the Kingdom, he tried to find Jie again, to thank him and repay him for saving his life. However, this was no easy task, as Jie had fled into the forest with his mother. After Jie refused the invitation to the Palace, the Duke became so frustrated that he ordered the forest to be set on fire, in an attempt to 'force' Jie and his mother out of their hiding spots. The Duke's plan backfired, and Jie and his mother both died among the flames. The Duke had killed the one person who had shown him kindness, when he had nothing. Striken with guilt, he ordered that no fires be lit and only cold foods be eaten on these three days (traditional Korean mourning period), to pay respects to Jie and his mother. Although the cold food ritual isn't really followed anymore, Koreans usually go to visit their ancestors' graves on these days. |
Sources:
https://koreancultureblog.com/2017/07/02/korean-birthday-celebrations/
https://www.soompi.com/article/738257wpp/korean-weddings-101-a-basic-guide-to-wedding-customs-in-korea
https://thetravelingkimchi.com/2015/08/31/are-you-going-to-a-korean-funeral/
https://www.korea4expats.com/article-birthday-customs-seoul-korea.html
https://asiasociety.org/korea/chilseok-traditional-korean-valentine%E2%80%99s-day
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180302000563
http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=137305
https://www.korea4expats.com/article-dongji-winter-solstice.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Third_Festival
https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1879
https://www.soompi.com/article/738257wpp/korean-weddings-101-a-basic-guide-to-wedding-customs-in-korea
https://thetravelingkimchi.com/2015/08/31/are-you-going-to-a-korean-funeral/
https://www.korea4expats.com/article-birthday-customs-seoul-korea.html
https://asiasociety.org/korea/chilseok-traditional-korean-valentine%E2%80%99s-day
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180302000563
http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=137305
https://www.korea4expats.com/article-dongji-winter-solstice.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Third_Festival
https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1879