Korean New Year 2022 will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 1st. This national holiday with established traditions has become popular all over the world.
New Year in Korea is called Seollal. It symbolizes the beginning of spring and the preparation of nature for awakening. And although Koreans, together with the whole world, arrange New Year's holidays at the end of December, but it is Seollal that allows the whole family to gather at the festive table and celebrate the year as their ancestors bequeathed.
What date is Korean New Year in 2022
For generations, North and South Koreans have celebrated the New Year twice:
- The European version - first with the whole world, the beginning of the year meets from December 31 to January 1. On this night, parties are organized with friends in cafes or restaurants.
- Traditional celebration - arranged according to the winter solstice. The Korean New Year has no fixed date. What date will be held festive events is determined by the lunisolar calendar. Often the date of the New Year falls at the end of January (not earlier than the 25th) or the beginning of February.
history of the holiday
Beginning in 1896, Koreans switched from the traditional Eastern calendar (lunisolar) to the Gregorian calendar. The transition to the new calendar did not cancel the traditional holidays that have existed in the country for centuries.
Seollal (translated as "Korean New Year") is the country's main holiday. For centuries, it was celebrated from the new moon to the next new moon, that is, for two weeks. But the fast-paced life does not allow Koreans such a long weekend. Therefore, New Year's celebrations were reduced to three days. This time is enough for family gatherings, meetings with relatives and friends.
Celebration in Korea takes place in stages, the days are distributed as follows:
- Preparing for the holiday - this day is considered New Year's Eve. All relatives gather together in the chosen house. They are involved in cleaning, decorating and preparing holiday meals.
- Seollal itself is the time when the beginning of a new time period is celebrated. All family members wear traditional costumes and perform ancient rituals.
- The holiday continues with the family. The day is dedicated to quiet gatherings, relaxation or communication with relatives.
The Korean New Year received the status of a national celebration relatively recently - only in 1989 it was officially recognized by the state. Since then, Koreans are guaranteed three days off to spend with their families.
Traditions
When Korean New Year is celebrated, all residents wear hanbok, the traditional formal attire. But not every Korean has such clothes. Therefore, hanbok is worn more often by representatives of the older generation, since modern youth consider these outfits old-fashioned. In clothing, Koreans strive to observe the colors of the animal, which will be a symbol of the coming year.
In addition to choosing outfits for festive events, the home is also decorated. Pictures are hung in the rooms depicting patron animals of the year, as well as a chicken (which attracts good to the house) or a tiger (scaring away evil spirits).
Chkhare ritual
Seollal is not only a time for fun and communication, it is considered a real mystery.
The celebration begins with a ritual dinner - "chkhare", designed to pay tribute and memory to the deceased ancestors. Treats for deceased relatives are placed on the altar in every home. Plates with their names are also installed to help them find their way home. Incense sticks are lit in the room.
All those present in turn, starting from the most venerable ages, bow to the dead. These obeisances act as an invitation to a feast. Family members must remember four generations of their ancestors, after which the treats are removed, and the festive feast moves to another room.
Sebe ritual
The second stage of the holiday is considered to be the "sebe" rite, the purpose of which is to express the respect of the younger generation to the elders. The younger family members bow at their feet and say words of gratitude to the older relatives, for which the latter present young people with coins or delicacies. Participation in this ritual is mandatory for all family members. Many Koreans, such as those living in the country, return home to pay their respects to their parents.
After the ceremony of worship, the family begins a festive meal. Food and drink are arranged in a special way:
- white dishes are placed on the western side;
- all red food is located on the east side of the table;
- at the beginning of dinner, guests are treated to rice, and the meal ends with a dessert.
On Seollal, it is customary to have fun, participate in competitions, sing, dance, play board or mind games.
The third day
On the last day of New Year's events, Koreans "take a break" from the holiday. They devote time to analyzing the outgoing year, finding inner balance, and communicating with family members. It is not customary to invite friends to visit, as the “correct” energy of the house is disturbed.
Festive table
The New Year's feast necessarily begins with a traditional soup - tteokguk, consisting of two components: rice cakes and beef (chicken) broth. White rice signifies the beginning of a new age, purity and good intentions.
It acts as a symbol of the holiday, and it is believed that everyone who has eaten a bowl of soup has matured by a year. According to tradition, how many servings of tteokguk a Korean man has, his age.
During Seollal, guests, in addition to tteokguk, are treated to traditional dishes:
- yakshik is sweet rice, which is mixed with nuts, dried fruits and raisins;
- kalbijim - beef ribs, served with a vegetable side dish, bell peppers, onions or honey;
- ttok - rice cakes of various shapes and sizes;
- vegetable kebabs - meat alternately with vegetables is put on skewers, seasoned with sesame seeds or spices and baked in the oven;
- japche - potato noodles, which are combined with soy sauce, sesame seeds, vegetables;
- chon - Korean pancakes, which differ from the European dish with the filling (they wrap green peas, onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and sometimes fish);
- yakkva - cookies, contains such useful ingredients as ginger and honey;
- rice wine is a weak drink, tart and sparkling in taste.
The more luxurious the festive table is laid, the richer and more successful the family will be in the coming year. Therefore, there are a wide variety of treats, and the dishes are arranged on the table so that there is not a single free space left.
What to gif.webpt
On New Years, Koreans often donate money. Therefore, young people seeking to earn extra money, it is enough to show respect for the older generation. In addition to money, parents give their children gif.webpts bought for impressive sums. Simultaneously with the presentation of the presentation, parting words about the future and wise advice are pronounced.
The younger generation gives each other practical gif.webpts, such as a shower kit, cosmetics, books, a shopping basket, certificates to the store or spa. It is not the price of the gif.webpt that matters, but its beauty. Therefore, special attention is paid to packaging.
Despite significant differences, Korean New Year 2022 is eagerly awaited not only by Koreans, but also by many tourists. A sincere family atmosphere, colorful decoration of rooms and unusual food on the table - all this gives a unique look to solemn gatherings.
