Introduction
Among the many Korean holidays and festivals celebrated throughout the year, Seollal (설날) stands as one of the most culturally significant events in the Korean calendar. This important Korean holiday and festival marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and is equivalent to Lunar New Year celebrations in other Asian countries. The Korean holidays and festivals calendar places special emphasis on Seollal as a time when families gather to honor ancestors, share traditional meals, and participate in time-honored customs. This three-day celebration (the day before, the day of, and the day after the lunar new year) holds similar importance in Korean culture as Christmas or Thanksgiving does in Western countries.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Seollal’s origins trace back over 2,000 years in the rich tapestry of Korean holidays and festivals. Unlike the solar New Year (January 1st), which was adopted with the Gregorian calendar, Seollal follows the lunar calendar, typically falling in January or February. During Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Seollal was officially recognized as the beginning of the year.
Historically, Seollal represented a fresh start and an opportunity to wish for prosperity in the coming year. The celebration combines Confucian principles of ancestral respect with folk traditions that pray for good fortune, exemplifying the deep cultural roots of traditional Korean holidays and festivals.
Key Traditions and Customs
Charye (차례) – Ancestral Memorial Ritual
One of the most significant aspects of Seollal, like many important Korean holidays and festivals, is Charye, a ceremony honoring ancestors. Families prepare a table with carefully arranged traditional foods and perform deep bows (절) before it. The eldest son typically leads this ritual, and the food is arranged according to specific rules that have been passed down through generations.
Sebae (세배) – New Year’s Bow
After the ancestral rites, younger family members perform a deep bow to their elders, wishing them a happy new year with the phrase “새해 복 많이 받으세요” (saehae bok mani badeuseyo), meaning “May you receive many blessings in the new year.” In return, elders give sebaedon (세뱃돈) – New Year’s money, usually in crisp new bills placed in colorful silk pouches or traditional money envelopes.
Traditional Attire – Hanbok
Many Koreans wear hanbok (한복), traditional Korean clothing, during Seollal. Though modern Koreans typically wear Western clothing in everyday life, Korean holidays and festivals like Seollal offer an opportunity to connect with cultural heritage by donning these colorful, elegant garments, especially for ancestral rites and family photos.
- Cultural Heritage Administration – Korean Traditional Customs
- Korean Cultural Center – Seollal Traditions
Seollal Foods
Tteokguk (떡국) – Rice Cake Soup
The centerpiece of Seollal cuisine is tteokguk, a soup made with sliced rice cakes in a clear broth, often garnished with egg, seaweed, and green onions. Eating tteokguk is symbolic – Koreans believe that consuming this dish adds a year to your age, as traditionally, Koreans became a year older on Seollal rather than on their birthdays. This culinary tradition distinguishes Seollal from other Korean holidays and festivals.
Jeon (전) – Korean Pancakes
Various types of jeon (savory pancakes) are prepared for Seollal. These include kimchijeon (kimchi pancakes), pajeon (green onion pancakes), and saengseonjeon (fish pancakes). These dishes are labor-intensive but considered essential for a proper holiday table in this major Korean holiday and festival.
Other Holiday Foods
Additional dishes include japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), galbi (marinated short ribs), and various namul (seasoned vegetable dishes). Desserts often feature yakgwa (honey cookies) and various types of rice cakes like injeolmi.
Traditional Games and Activities
Yutnori (윷놀이)
This traditional board game uses four wooden sticks instead of dice. Players throw the sticks and move their pieces around the board based on the combination that lands. Families often play this game together during Korean holidays and festivals, sometimes betting on small prizes.
Kite Flying (연날리기)
Weather permitting, many families engage in kite flying, a traditional activity believed to send away bad luck and invite good fortune for the new year.
Jegichagi (제기차기)
Similar to hacky sack, this game involves keeping a small object (jegi) made of paper-wrapped coins in the air using only your feet. This is one of many traditional games played during various Korean holidays and festivals throughout the year.
Experiencing Seollal as an Expat
For foreigners in Korea during Seollal, it’s important to note that most businesses close for the holiday, and transportation can be extremely crowded as millions travel to their hometowns. However, this also creates unique opportunities to experience Korean culture:
Public Celebrations
Many palaces, museums, and cultural centers hold special Seollal events where visitors can participate in traditional games, try Korean foods, and even wear hanbok. Seoul’s major palaces often offer free admission during the holiday and host cultural performances, making it easier for visitors to experience Korean holidays and festivals.
Cultural Programs
Several organizations offer foreigner-friendly Seollal experiences, including cooking classes for tteokguk or guided tours of traditional markets preparing for the holiday.
Tips for Expats
- Book transportation well in advance if traveling during this period
- Consider participating in a temple stay program for a unique cultural experience
- If invited to a Korean home, bringing a gift (fruit, quality food items, or beverages) is customary
- Learn basic Seollal greetings to share with Korean friends and colleagues
- VisitSeoul – Seollal Events for Foreigners
- Templestay Korea – Cultural Programs
- Korea Tourism Organization – Holiday Travel Guide
Changing Traditions
While Seollal remains important in Korean society, traditions surrounding Korean holidays and festivals are evolving. Many young families now travel abroad during the long holiday instead of visiting hometown relatives. Some aspects of the celebration have simplified, and there’s ongoing debate about maintaining traditions versus adapting to modern lifestyles.
Nevertheless, the core values of family connection, respect for elders and ancestors, and hopes for prosperity in the new year remain central to Seollal celebrations, as with many traditional Korean holidays and festivals.
Conclusion
Seollal offers a fascinating window into Korean cultural values and traditions. For expatriates in Korea, experiencing this holiday provides deeper understanding of Korean society and its Confucian foundations. Whether you’re participating in celebrations or simply observing the customs around you, Seollal and other Korean holidays and festivals represent an opportunity to connect with Korea’s rich cultural heritage.
In our next article in this Korean Holidays and Festivals series, we’ll explore Chuseok, Korea’s autumn harvest festival often compared to Thanksgiving. Stay tuned!
Have you experienced Seollal or other Korean holidays and festivals? Share your experiences in the comments below!