Korean New Year

Korean New Year, known as Seollal, is a significant festival and public holiday in Korea, occurring on January 29 this year. It typically happens in January or February on the second new moon after the winter solstice, except when there’s an intercalary 11th or 12th month before the New Year. Seollal marks the start of the Korean calendar and holds great importance as one of Korea’s most traditional holidays.

History and Significance of Korean New Year

Seollal has deep cultural roots linked to traditional Chinese Confucianism and is observed on the first day of the Korean lunar calendar. This celebration generally spans three days: the day before, the actual day of Seollal, and the day after. Historical records like the “Book of Sui” and “Book of Tang” document Seollal celebrations in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D. During the Joseon dynasty, spanning from 1392 to 1897, officials gathered in grand palaces to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Although influenced by China, Seollal is uniquely Korean, based on the lunar cycle with each year represented by a different animal, repeating every 12 years. These animals, believed to have been invited in sequence to meet Buddha, include the mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Koreans hold that the birth year’s animal imparts specific traits to individuals, prompting some parents to plan births according to this belief.

Korean New Year Timeline

57 B.C.: The Silla Kingdom begins, noted as one of Korea’s three ancient kingdoms.
918 A.D.: The Goryeo Dynasty starts, and Seollal is recognized as a major holiday.
935 A.D.: Silla Kingdom ends following internal conflicts.
1392 A.D.: The decline of the Goryeo Dynasty marks its end after 400 years.

Is Korean New Year Similar to Chinese New Year?

Seollal, or 설날, parallels the Chinese New Year, celebrated concurrently, except for rare occasions where they differ by a day. This holiday is tied to the lunar calendar, as highlighted by Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls.

How to Say ‘Happy New Year’ in Korean

The phrase “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” meaning “Please receive a lot of luck in the new year,” is used similarly to “Happy New Year!”, shared among friends and family.

What Gifts to Give for Korean New Year?

According to Crazy Korean Cooking, gifts can include fresh fruits, ginseng, honey, gift baskets with items like tuna or spam, traditional sweets, dried fish, toiletries, and cash.

Activities for Celebrating Korean New Year

Gift-Giving: Beyond savoring delicious food and family gatherings, Seollal emphasizes gift-giving. This extends to workplaces, where companies often present gifts to employees.
Playing Folk Games: Traditional games are integral to Korean New Year celebrations. ‘Yut Nori,’ a classic board game, is popular alongside activities like kite flying for men and ‘neol ddwigi’ for young women.
Enjoying Korean Cuisine: Food plays a central role in family gatherings. A cherished dish during Seollal is ‘Tteokguk’ (rice cake soup), providing comfort and tradition.

Five Fascinating Facts About Korean New Year

Shoe Hiding: To prevent ghostly mischief, Koreans hide their shoes, fearing bad luck if they go missing.
Bokjori Strainers: High-hung bamboo strainers, or ‘bokjori,’ are believed to catch good fortune.
Sebae Ritual: After meals, young family members perform ‘sebae,’ a deep bowing ritual.
Charye Ceremony: Special foods honor ancestors during ‘charye,’ as Koreans believe they visit on Seollal.
Wearing Hanbok: Traditional attire like ‘hanbok’ is preferred, adorned with intricate embroidery.

Why Korean New Year is Cherished

Fosters Unity: Seollal brings families and relatives together to joyfully uphold traditions.
Encourages Reflection and Hope: The end of one year and the dawn of another inspire reflection and optimism.
Promotes Respect: Paying respects to elders and ancestors is vital, often involving visits to ancestral graves and children bowing to elders in exchange for pocket money, nurturing mutual respect.

Upcoming Korean New Year Dates