Korea Christmas New Year+

8/6/2019 Korea Christmas New Year+

1/24

South Korea recognizes Christmas as a national holiday. Christian and non-Christian Koreans engage in

some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending Christmas cards, and setting up decorated trees in

their homes; children, especially, appear to have embracedSanta Claus, whom they call Santa

Halabuji(Grandfather Santa) in Korean, Local radio stations play holiday music on Christmas Day and a

few days before, while television stations are known to air Christmas films and cartoon specials popular in

the Western countries. In addition, increasing numbers of stores and buildings are displaying Christmas

decorations.

As in the West, churches in Korea hold Christmas pageants and conduct special services on Christmas

Eve and Christmas Day. Young people especially enjoy the fellowship these observances provide; after

the Christmas Eve services, for example, they go caroling to the homes of older church members, where

they are usually treated to hot drinks and snacks.

South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a national holiday.

The new Cheonggyecheon river in Seoul, South Korea

at Christmas time.

In South Korea Christmas carries different

meaning for individuals. Some people

treat Christmas in South.

Korea as another passing phrase of life. Whereas some people take it as a time of sharing moments of enjoyments

with family and friends. To a few people, in South Korea Christmas means to do sacrifices and charity works.

Of the total Korean population the half is entitled to Buddhism, and half are Christians. So it is seen that in South

Korea non-Christians people has hardly any feel for the occasion, as they treat it with disgrace, if not with in-

difference, because they feel it is not their occasion, on the other hand people from Christian origin celebrates the

day in many ways, which is very much individualistic and un-predictable. But the young section of the society

celebrates Christmas almost as the western people do.

During Christmas in South Korea most of the Christian people exchange gifts among themselves. These gifts are

interesting. Mostly money is given as a token of gift also other articles are exchanged like jewelry, flowers, books,

shoes, bags, and attires. Houses are decorated with lanterns, lights, and colorful paper arts. Christmas trees are

found peeping from the windows and also on the pavements of each Christian houses.

Lots of entertainments are arranged for Children during Christmas in South Korea, of which the most popular is the

Santa Clause. In the country, several Santa Clauses are find roaming about in blues and red costumes and offering
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Koreahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pageanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_holidayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_holidayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Koreahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pageanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_holidayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul


2/24

chocolates and cakes to the passersby, this excites the children, and makes the adults equally elated.

During Christmas Nights various restaurants offer special cuisines, and dance floors are made in red carpets and

flowers to make the environment special. Christian people in South Korea make cakes, meat loafs, rice and other

traditional culinary at home and have fests with family and friends.

Because Christianity and Western culture are both fairly new in Korea, most of the Christmas celebrations are verysimilar to those found in Europe and the United States. Popular Christmas traditions include:

Exchanging Christmas cards: Korean Christmas cards are generally less expensive than cards in the

United States, and they often have peaceful outdoor scenes, Korean landscapes, or other artwork on them. Most

cards will use the phrase "Season's Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" in order to appeal to a wider

segment of the population.

Church services and pageants: Christian churches in Korea hold traditional evening services

onChristmas Eve as well as mass on Christmas Day, which often includes a baptismal service.

Christmas movies: Holiday cartoons and Christmas moviesare popular seasonal entertainment in Korea,

especially for children and families.

Exchanging gifts: Young children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Haraboji, or Santa Grandfather, on

Christmas Eve. Friends and family members may also exchange gifts for Christmas in Korea.

Decorated trees: Not every family in Korea will have a Christmas tree, but those that do will often decorate

it with lights and ornaments similar to those found in the United States.

Christmas dinner: A formal dinner is a popular way to celebrate the holiday with family members, though

the menu usually includes popular Korean dishes such as sweet potato noodles, rice cake soup, barbecued beef

(bulgogi), and spicy pickled cabbage (gimchi).

Public decorations: Because Christmas is a public holiday in South Korea, many businesses such as

department stores and other retailers will decorate lavishly to attract customers with seasonal cheer.

Caroling: Youth groups frequently organize caroling parties for Christmas in Korea. Starting from the

church, they will visit the homes of older church members singingChristmas carols. It is traditional to invite

carolers in for hot drinks and treats.

What Korean Christmas Celebrations Don't Have

Korean Christmas traditions are less elaborate than most holiday celebrations in the West. Non-Christians may enjoy

family gatherings and gift exchanges, but in general the holiday is much more subdued and it is not one of the largestholidays on the Korean calendar. In fact, for many families New Year's Day is a more important holiday and is spent

celebrating with large gatherings, while Christmas celebrations are more popular with teens and children. Korean

Christmas celebrations also do not have multiple gifts. Because the holiday is not as popular or widespread in Korea,

it is more traditional to give a relative or close friend one thoughtful gift rather than several presents. Because of the

Western influence that has brought Christmas to Korea, the celebrations also usually lack specific ceremonies to

honor one's ancestors, which are normally a significant part of major Korean holidays.
http://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Cardhttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Evehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Evehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Category:Christmas_Books_and_Filmshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Category:Christmas_Books_and_Filmshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Treehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Treehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Carolshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Carolshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Carolshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Cardhttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Evehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Category:Christmas_Books_and_Filmshttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Treehttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Carols


3/24


4/24

A popular Christmas food is a Christmas Cake, but it's often a sponge cake covered in

cream brought from a local bakery! Or you might even have an ice cream cake from a

shop like 'Baskin Robbins'!!!

Happy/Merry Christmas in Korean is 'Sung Tan Chuk Ha'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lotsmore languages.

If you live in North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Christmas will be very

different. Being a Christian is 'offically' allowed but you can go to prison, or even be killed

for being a Christian or even having a bible. Christians in North Korea have to meet in

secret and any celebrations of Christmas will also be in secret.

Thank you to Heidi Wenger for her help in giving me information on Christmas in South

Korea!

New Year In Korea

"Say hay boke-mahn he pah du say oh" is the New Year's greeting in Korea. New Year's day is the

greatest celebration of the year in Korea. Like, Chinese and Vietnamese, Korean New Year (Seol-Nal)

is also celebrated at sunset on the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice. It is a Lunar

New Year (harvest moon festival). Seol Nal is a three day celebration and almost all Koreans move to

their hometowns to celebrate the occasion.

New Year Eve's Celebrations

New Year Eve is also called Sut dal kum mum in Korean. On this day, people clean their houses and

light it with colorful halogens. At the evening of this day, Koreans take a

bath with hot water and burn bamboo sticks to casts off the evil spell. As

per the Korean belief, no body should sleep on that night otherwise the

eyebrows would turn white. Lights of every room and kitchen are kept on

all night. This is a special way to welcome the New Year with brightness

and open eyes.

Seol Nal Customs and Traditions

Koreans wake up early in the morning, take bath and wear new clothes

called Sol Bim (hanbok). They make Sae Bae (bow) to the parents and

grandparents. New Year wishes are also exchanged called Duck Dam.

Children are highly elated with the New Year celebrations as they receive cash from their elders.

Women spend all day preparing sumptuous meals. They make Ttokuk which is the most important

dish prepared for the day. Other dishes include garettok, fried meats, fish, dried persimmons, a

variety of, walnut, dates, vegetables, traditional cookies etc.

It is customary for family members in Korea to drink a glass of a special liquor called vgui balki sool.

This liquor is said to improve the power of hearing. Consumption of this liquor on New Year enables

ones to hear clearly all year long. Then comes the time to serve the ancestors. This tradition is
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/languages.shtmlhttp://www.whychristmas.com/customs/languages.shtmlhttp://www.whychristmas.com/customs/languages.shtmlhttp://www.whychristmas.com/customs/languages.shtml


5/24

popularly known as Chesa. In a clean room, a table altar is placed covered with several food items.

Given below is the specific order of food placement:

Jwa po woo rye: On the left - Meat. On the right - Rice Drink

Doo dong mi seo : East : Head. West: Tail

Hong dong bek seo : East: Red color. West: White color.

On a special paper called Chi Bang, the names of the ancestors are written. On the left - men's name

and on the right - women's name. The names scribbled should be in a perfect order from great great

grand parents to the parents' names.. Such rituals are performed to give energy to the deceased

ancestors to give blessings to their descendants.

Seol Nal Celebrations

After performing all rituals seriously, it is the time to have some fun and enjoyment. Some most

popular games like yut game, kite flying, top-spinning, jae gi cha gi skiing are played on Soe Nal. Yut-

nol-ee is one such traditional game that can be played anywhere with great enthusiasm. It is a stick

throwing game played from New Year's day until January 15 called Daeborum. Games like Jae gi cha

gi (similar to kicking hacky sacks) are also enjoyed by young kids.

Korean New Year, commonly known as Seollal(Hangul: ; RR: Seollal; MR:Sllal), is the first day

of the lunar calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of

celebrations, starting on New Year's Day. The Korean also celebrate solarNew Year's Day on January 1

each year, following the Gregorian Calendar. The Korean New Year holidays last three days, and is

considered a more important holiday than the solar New Year's Day. [1]

The term "Seollal" generally refers to Eum-nyeok Seollal(, lunar new year), also known

as Gujeong(Hangul:;Hanja:). Less commonly, "Seollal" also refers to Yang-nyeok Seollal(

, solar new year), also known as Sinjeong(Hangul:;Hanja:).

Korean New Year generally falls on the day of the second new moon afterwinter solstice, unless there is

a very rareintercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year. In such a case, the New

Year falls on the day of the third new moon after the solstice (next occurrence will be 2033). Korean New

Year is generally the same day asChinese New Year,Mongolian New Year,Tibetan New

YearandVietnamese New Year. A commonly used Western name to describe this festival inclusively,

although scientifically incorrect, is Lunar New Year.

Customs

Korean New Year is typically a family-oriented holiday. The three-day holiday is used by many to return to

their home towns to visit their parents and other relatives where they perform the ancestral ritual known

as charye (). Many Koreans dress up in colorfulhanbok.Tteokguk() (soup with rice cakes) is

commonly served.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Romanization_of_Koreanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCune%E2%80%93Reischauerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCune%E2%80%93Reischauerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Dayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Dayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_moonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solsticehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solsticehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solsticehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercalationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Yearhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsagaan_Sarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsagaan_Sarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsagaan_Sarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BA%BFthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BA%BFthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteokgukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Romanization_of_Koreanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCune%E2%80%93Reischauerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Dayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanjahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_moonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solsticehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercalationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Yearhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsagaan_Sarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BA%BFthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteokguk


6/24

Many Koreans greet the New Year (both Western and lunar) by visiting East coast locations such

asGangneung and Donghaein Gangwon province, where they are most likely to see the first rays of the

New Year's sun.[2]

Insertformulahere===Sebae===

Sebae is a traditionally observed activity on Seollal, and is filial-piety-orientated. Children wish their

parents a happy new year by performing one deep traditional bow (rites with more than one bow involved

are usually for the dead) and the words saehae bok manhi badeuseyo(Hangul:)which translates toplease receive many blessings in the new year. Parents typically reward this gesture

by giving their children new year's money (usually in the form of crisp paper money) and offering words of

wisdom, ordeokdam. Historically, parents gave out rice cakes (ddeok) and fruit to their children instead.

[edit]Folk games

Many traditional games are associated with the Korean New Year. The traditional family board

game Yutnori() is still a popular pastime. Traditionally men and boys would fly kitesand playjegi

chagi(), a game where a light object is wrapped in paper or cloth, and then kicked in

aFootbag like manner. Korean women and girls would have traditionally played neolttwigi(), a

game of jumping on a seesaw (), while children spun paengi ().

About the Korean New Year

In Korea, Solnal is the first day of the first month of the new year.

While many Koreans celebrate the New Year on January 1st of thesolar calendar, the lunar new year is still popular today. In manyKorean communities, the New Year is celebrated twice.

The Lunar New Year starts on February 12 in 2002. According tothe Asian Zodiac, 2002 is theYear of the Horse.

The Koreans focus on the family as they celebrate the beginning ofthe New Year. Children put on new traditional clothes called hanbok.

They kneel and bow to their ancestors and elders. Family members

wish each other prosperity and good fortune. Then they exchangegifts. Children receive lucky money, candy and fruit from the elders.The family spends time together and have rice-cake soup forbreakfast. Children often take this day to play special New Yeargames.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangneunghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangneunghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghae,_Gangwonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghae,_Gangwonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangwon-do_(South_Korea)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ddeokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Korean_New_Year&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Korean_New_Year&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jegi_chagi&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jegi_chagi&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footbaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footbaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolttwigihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolttwigihttp://www.familyculture.com/asianzodiac_designs.htmhttp://www.familyculture.com/holidays/lunar_new_year.htmhttp://www.lifeinkorea.com/Culture/Clothes/clothes.cfmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangneunghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghae,_Gangwonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangwon-do_(South_Korea)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ddeokhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Korean_New_Year&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jegi_chagi&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jegi_chagi&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footbaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolttwigihttp://www.familyculture.com/asianzodiac_designs.htmhttp://www.familyculture.com/holidays/lunar_new_year.htmhttp://www.lifeinkorea.com/Culture/Clothes/clothes.cfm


7/24

In parts of Korea, people usher in the New Year with a ritualcalledJishin Balpgi. Loud drums and gongs are played to scare offevil spirits of the old year. At the end of the day, friends andrelatives join together for dinner to renew their friendship. Sol is acelebration of family and good friends. And for the Koreans, the New

Year is about family and community.

The New Year's Eve in Korean is called "Sut dal kum mum". The Koreans celebrate the New Year on the first day of

the lunar year. This day is called Sol-nal. On this day the people in Korea renovate their bonds of the past and make

great preparations for the coming year.Custom has it that on the New Year's Eve night nobody is supposed to sleep.

It was believed that if anyone slept on that night their eyebrows would turn white. In order to keep awake one found

the lights in every room on. This was usually done to receive the brightness for the coming year and awaken the

closed eyes.

Cleaning the house on the New Year's Eve is an important custom followed along with having a bath with hot water in

the evening. The people in Korea followed a custom of burning bamboo sticks to cast off the evil spirits. It was

believed that if the bamboos knots made a sound the demons would get afraid and run away.

The people of Korea observed a ceremony of presenting an offering if there was a "sadang" at home on the last day.

On the night of the New Year the people in Korea welcome the New Year by wishing each other especially the elders

in the family as a sign of pleasure.

Straw scoopers, rakes or sieves are seen placed on the doors and walls of the houses of the Korean people. The

wide populaces in Korea believe that this would protect the families from evil spirits and keep them safe for the

coming year. Family gatherings at the home of the eldest member of the family and dressing in new clothes are New

Year customs that the people in Korea believe in following. New clothes symbolize a new and fresh beginning of life

and are considenavy to be lucky for the New Year.

Certain games like yut nori, that is a stick game and people can be seen playing on large sew-saws are a part of the

activities done by the people in Korea on New Year.

As a mark of respect the younger in the family pay obeisance to the elders wishing them good luck, health and

success for the coming year. The wide populaces in Korea also hold Sncestral memorial rites on New Year. The wide

populaces believe in calculating the age on New Year. The people believe that everyone becomes a year older on

New Year. Ttokkuk, which is a bowl of rice cake soup, is eaten on New Year. The Koreans believe eating this soup

on New Year would help in adding an extra year of age to their life.

Literature:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide

http://www.mapsofworld.com/south-korea/culture/christmas.html

http://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Korean_Christmas_Traditions

http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/south_korea.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year

http://www.newyearfestival.com/new-year-in-korea.html

http://www.familyculture.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htm
http://www.seoul-gchs.seoul.kr/~helpme/att/korea/ke/ke3.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwidehttp://www.mapsofworld.com/south-korea/culture/christmas.htmlhttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Korean_Christmas_Traditionshttp://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/south_korea.shtmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Yearhttp://www.newyearfestival.com/new-year-in-korea.htmlhttp://www.familyculture.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htmhttp://www.seoul-gchs.seoul.kr/~helpme/att/korea/ke/ke3.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwidehttp://www.mapsofworld.com/south-korea/culture/christmas.htmlhttp://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Korean_Christmas_Traditionshttp://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/south_korea.shtmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Yearhttp://www.newyearfestival.com/new-year-in-korea.htmlhttp://www.familyculture.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htm


8/24


9/24


10/24


11/24


12/24


13/24


14/24


15/24


16/24


17/24


18/24


19/24


20/24


21/24


22/24


23/24


24/24

Korea Christmas New Year+

Documents

Transcript of Korea Christmas New Year+