[edit] National Holidays 국경일
Koreans have been sure to maintain their traditional festive holidays, even in
modern times. The Western solar calendar is the official method of calculating
dates in general, but there are some holidays that are based on the traditional
lunar calendar.
[edit] Independence Movement Day 삼일절
(March 1)
On March 1, 1919 the Korean people rose against Japanese colonial rule,
which had existed in Korea since the annexation of 1910. The holiday remembers
the non-violent, peaceful independence demonstrations which began on that day.
The demonstrations went on around the country for another three months, with
approximately two million people participating.
[edit] Constitution Day 제헌절
(July 17)
Constitution Day is an official holiday commemorating the Constitution of the
Republic of Korea, which took effect on July 17, 1948.
[edit] Liberation Day 광복절
(August 15)
Liberation Day remembers when, on August 15, 1945, Korea became free
from Japanese colonial rule. The day is also a celebration of the establishment of
the government of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948.
[edit] National Foundation Day 개천절
(October 3)
On this day in 2333 B.C., Dangun (단군), father of the Korean people, built a
capital and founded the first Korean state, Gojoseon(고조선).
[edit] Traditional Holidays 명절
[edit] Seollal 설날
(First day of the lunar year)
Seollal (설날), also
called "Lunar New
Year's Day," is traditionally
the most important
of holidays. Every year
the country's roads, seaports, and airports are
crowded with people
traveling to their hometowns
to be home on
this special day. In Korea,
this travel in large
numbers is sometimes
called "ethnic mass
migration." Most places
of work are closed for
three or four days at this time. On Seollal morning, families gather for charye (차례).
Charye refers to the practice of waking early in the morning to set a table of
New Year's dishes (sechan 세찬(歲饌)), New Year's wine (seju 세주(歲酒)), and in
particular ddeokguk (떡국), or "rice cake soup," containing slices of rice cake and
eaten mainly on Seollal, and then offering these items as sacrifice to the family's
ancestors. Once done with charye, members of the family sit and eat these foods.
They then do saebae (세배), a form of bowing done as a New Year's greeting to the
elders of the family, while exchanging deokdam (덕담), pleasant exchanges of wellwishing
words.
At this time families also go to ancestral burial sites for seongmyo (성묘). There they
arrange a simple setting of sechan and seju bow before the burial mounds. Seollal is
also a festive time for enjoying traditional forms of play, including yunnori (윷놀이),
Korean seesaw (neolttwigi 널뛰기), kite flying (yeon nalligi 연날리기), Korean shuttlecock
(jegichagi 제기차기), and top spinning (paengi dolligi 팽이 돌리기).
[edit] Chuseok 추석
(15th day of the 8th lunar month)
Chuseok is, along with Seollal, one of Korea's two main traditional holidays. It is a
time for expressing thanks for the year's harvest and for the favor of one's ancestors.
Chuseok is also called Hanggawi (한가위) and Jungchujeol (중추절). Just as during Seollal,
most places of work around the country are closed for two or three days for Chuseok,
and many people travel to their hometowns.
On Chuseok morning is also a time when families practice charye. For Chuseok,
however, the table is set with cakes made from rice from the new harvest, fruit from
the harvest, and so on. After charye, people go to their family burial sites for
seongmyo. Since Chuseok is always on a full moon, people living in the countryside
hike up a nearby mountain to dalmaji (달맞이), or "greet the moon." While at ancestor
burial sites, people clear the weeds and other natural growth that has grown up
during the summer months. Clearing away the grass is called beolcho (벌초).
[edit] Daeboreum 대보름
(15th day of the 1st lunar month)
Daeboreum refers to the day of the full moon of the first lunar month. Being the first
moon of the new year, the day has been considered important from ancient times.
Tradition has it that one should have one's fortune told and see whether it will be a good
harvest year. On this day, families eat seasoned vegetables, ogokbap (오곡밥), meaning
"rice from five kinds of grains," and nuts selected especially for the occasion (bureom
부럼). Bureom refers to chestnuts, peanuts, walnuts, and other hard nuts. It is
commonly believed that eating bureom on Daeboreum keeps one's skin soft for the
entire year.
[edit] New Year's Day 신정
(January 1st)
This is the day when business and government offices begin the new year. It is a
public holiday, and generally on January 2nd people return to work, greeting each
other with expressions such as Happy New Year (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo 복 많이 받
으세요) and Be Healthy! (Geongang haseyo 건강하세요). Around New Year's Day, people
send New Year's cards (yeonhajang 연하장) to those who are far away. Lately, it is not
uncommon to telephone or email instead of sending a yeonhajang.
[edit] Other Commemorative Days 기념일
[edit] Arbor Day 식목일
(April 5th)
Arbor Day is a day for planting trees. Korea is recognized internationally as a
successful case of reforestation. This was possible because the country set a date
for planting trees and because the people were particularly diligent in observing
it. Government offices engage in Arbor Day-related events.
[edit] Buddha's Birthday 석가탄신일
(8th day of the 4th lunar month)
This day celebrates the birth of Buddha. Believers go to temples, light lanterns, and
pray for blessings for their families and themselves. At night there is a lantern festival.
[edit] Labor Day 근로자의 날
(May 1st)
Most workers have this day off from work. Banks and companies are closed.
[edit] Children's Day 어린이날
(May 5th)
Children's Day was created to plant
dreams and hope in children, the social leaders of the
future. It is an official holiday. Parents take their children
to parks and other places, and many special
events take place.
[edit] Parents' Day 어버이날
(May 8th)
This is a day for expressing thanks and respect to one's parents. Children fix
carnations on their parent's chests.
[edit] Memorial Day 현충일
(June 6th)
A day of to honor the spirits of those who have died in service of the nation
during Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, and other times in Korean history.
[edit] Armed Forces' Day 국군의 날
(October 1st)
This day celebrates the creation of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea.
Commemorative events are held every year.
[edit] Hangeul Day 한글날
(October 9th)
This is a day to celebrate the
creation of Hangeul (한글),
Korea's unique writing system.
Hangeul was developed in
the 15th century by Joseon's
fourth king, Sejong (세종),
and the scholars of the Hall
of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon 집현
전), the court's scholarly research
academy. At the time, this writing
system was called Hunmin Jeongeum (훈민정음).
[edit] Christmas 크리스마스
(December 25th)
A day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Non-Christians also enjoy the
festive mood of this official holiday.
