The “Goryeosa” (고려사), or the “History of Goryeo,” stated that Seollal was one of nine major festivals, and through the Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon ( Chosun 1392–1910) dynasties, it was established as one of Korea’s most important national holidays in league with Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), according to The National Folk Museum of Korea (South Korea)’s “ Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs.”Ĭolorful customs: Seollal lasts three days, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, Day, and the day after.Performances were given to the King, guests and officials gathered, and they worshipped “the gods of the sun and moon.” In the 7th century, Seollal first appeared in historical texts and revealed New Year’s Day was celebrated annually.It described how, on that day, the body and mind were “renewed” and the people took consideration of their actions for the future, according to Korean Cultural Service NY. In 488 A.D., during the Silla Kingdom, documented memorial services added to the assumption that the holiday may have existed during ancient Korea’s Three Kingdoms period.Royal revelry: Seollal follows the lunisolar calendar, and when exactly Koreans started to celebrate the holiday is still somewhat a mystery. Seollal, the Korean New Year, welcomes the year with colorful customs, legends and the unbreakable need to eat rice cake soup. Presented in a beautiful and colorful pouch, the gift has deep meaning for South Koreans.Editor’s Note: This post was made in partnership with the amazing people over at Weee! After sebae, the children receive ‘sebaetdon’ or New Year’s money as a gift from their elders. While performing the ritual, one must wear ‘hanbok’. This deep traditional bow signifies respect. Younger people must bow deeply to their elders and wish them a happy new year. It is the act of kneeling on the ground and bowing deeply so that your hands are also on the ground. In South Korea, the clear broth and white rice cakes of tteokguk are believed to symbolize starting out the year with a clean mind and body.Īnother important ritual that is followed is called ‘sebae’. Another very common dish is ‘ddeokguk’ or rice cake soup which, though eaten throughout the year, carries special significance on Seollal. Though the food prepared for the ceremony of charye differs by region, the most common varieties are rice, soup, meat, seafood, liquor, fruit and vegetables. Then the family gets together for a ceremony called ‘eumbok’ where they eat the food blessed by the ancestors, allowing them to start the new year with many blessings and prosperity.

Charye involves the preparation of food by female relatives and the serving of food to ancestors by male relatives. One of the most important rituals performed during this auspicious occasion is called ‘charye’. It is also considered respectful for people to visit their mothers and fathers-in-law during the Korean New Year.

Often, the family members first visit the elders, and this includes the grandparents and the parents. Since it is one of the few times families may be able to get together and catch up on one another's lives, it is considered respectful and important to attend the holiday. Many Koreans travel from overseas to visit their families for this annual holiday. Compared to Chuseok, Seollal carries more importance as it is treated as a holiday to spend with their family members in their hometown. In such a case, the New Year falls on the third new moon after the solstice. Seollal generally occurs in January or February on the second new moon after the winter solstice, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year.

Korean lunar new year clothing