The upcoming Seollal, starting next Wednesday, is one of Korea's most significant traditional holidays, celebrated as more than just the beginning of a new year. Seollal serves as a day to honor family bonds, express gratitude to ancestors, and pray for blessings in the new year through various customs that have been passed down for generations.

The Traditions of Seollal and Its Value as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Ancestor Memorial Rites: Expressing Gratitude to Ancestors

During the holiday, Koreans continue the tradition of carefully preparing ceremonial food to offer to their ancestors.

The morning of Seollal begins with charye, a traditional ritual to honor ancestors by offering food and expressing gratitude for their blessings. The ceremonial table, adorned with dishes like tteokguk (rice cake soup), jeon (pan-fried delicacies), namul (vegetable side dishes), and fruits, carries symbolic meaning beyond its culinary variety. Charye fosters family unity and bridges generations by preserving respect for ancestors as an enduring cultural value.

Eating Tteokguk: Marking the Start of a New Year

Tteokguk on Seollal: Koreans believe they must eat tteokguk on this day to gain a year in age.

The custom of eating tteokguk symbolizes gaining a year in age and embarking on a prosperous new year. This comforting dish, made with thinly sliced rice cakes in a clear broth, represents health and abundance, reflecting its deep-rooted place in Korean life and culture.

New Year’s Bow: Sharing Respect and Blessings

The New Year’s bow (sebae) is a traditional Korean custom performed during the Lunar New Year (Seollal).

Seollal is marked by the tradition of sebae, where individuals bow deeply to their elders to convey New Year’s greetings, showing respect, gratitude, and wishing them health and happiness in the coming year.

In return, elders offer blessings, advice, and sometimes sebaetdon (New Year’s money), symbolizing their hopes and support for the younger generation. This meaningful tradition fosters strong family bonds and exemplifies Korea’s culture of filial piety and mutual respect within families.

Yutnori: A Game of Togetherness

Yutnori, a traditional board game played during Seollal, strengthens family bonds while providing joy and entertainment.

Yutnori is a traditional Korean board game often played during Seollal (Lunar New Year). It involves throwing four wooden sticks, called yut, which determine the movement of markers (called mal) on a board. The goal is to move all your team’s markers around the board before the opposing team does. Each throw of the yut produces different results, such as moving forward or backward, adding a strategic element to the game. Yutnori is enjoyed by people of all ages and symbolizes unity, teamwork, and good fortune.

This game showcases Korea's communal culture and cooperative spirit, remaining a beloved pastime for all generations.

Hanbok: The Aesthetic of Traditional Attire

Many people dress up in pre-prepared hanbok (traditional Korean attire) for Seollal, the biggest holiday of the year.

Wearing hanbok on Seollal highlights the elegance and identity of Korean tradition. Its vibrant colors and graceful designs add to the significance of the day, and taking family photos while wearing hanbok creates cherished memories.

Family Gatherings: The Heart of Seollal

Seollal is also a day when family members gather together at home.

Seollal is a time for families to come together. Even those living far apart reunite to share meals, engage in conversations, and spend meaningful time together. These gatherings underscore the importance of family in Korean society and the special role Seollal plays in upholding this tradition.

Seollal: Expanding Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Globally

The customs of Seollal are more than mere holiday traditions; they are cultural practices that define Korea's identity and values. These traditions deserve recognition as intangible cultural heritage, preserving their significance for future generations and serving as an essential aspect of Korea’s cultural heritage that can be shared globally.

During the holiday, people also enjoy tuho (arrow-throwing game) in royal palaces or at home.

This Seollal, let us reflect on these precious traditions and wish for their continued transmission and international recognition as a cornerstone of Korean culture.