An important Holliday that is celebrated in Korea is the Seollal, in this post I want to share with you everything you need to know about Seollal.
Seollal also known as Korean Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Korea; it usually takes place in late January or early February and lasts for three days. For 2024 the holiday begins from the 9th to 12, but the main day is the 10th which is called Seol.
It is a time for families to reunite and celebrate the new year; many Koreans travel long distances to be with loved ones. On the eve of Seollal, families gather for a traditional feast called “tteokguk”; this soup is made of sliced rice cakes, vegetables, and meat.
Seollal is also a time for paying respects to ancestors and performing ancestral rites; some families visit their ancestral hometowns and graves during the holiday. Younger generations often visit their elders to express gratitude and good wishes for the new year.
Traditional games and activities are also popular during Seollal; a popular game is called “yunnori” in which players toss sticks and move their game pieces around a board. Children often play with traditional toys such as “jegichagi”; a game similar to hacky sack.
Sebae is also an important part of Seollal culture; it is a custom where younger family members bow to their elders and receive a blessing in return.
Another tradition is the giving of “Seollal” gift sets which usually contain food, beverages or health supplements.
The traditional clothes worn during Seollal are called “hanbok”; it is customary to wear these clothes during the holiday, especially for the Sebae ritual. Seollal is a time of joy and celebration, but it also has a deeper significance; it marks a new beginning and the passing of time and generations, making it a time for reflection and appreciation.
I hope this has given you an idea of what Seol is and some of the traditions done during this period.
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