Chinese New Year Celebration in Korea 2011
Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. In few countries, people know it by the local name. For instance, it is known as Korean
There are different traditions that are followed during New Year in Korea. This is the period when matchmaking festival is common among the Hmong. Koreans usually follow the Lunar New Year calendar. Koreans also celebrate New Year on January 1st along with the other nations worldwide. So, many Koreans celebrate New Year twice a year.
Chinese New Year celebrations may range from simple gatherings to flamboyant parties and night outs. It usually differs from one place to another and lot depends on the country in which you are living. For instance, Koreans living in United States of America prefer to keep it private.
Given below are few traditions and customs followed during Chinese New Year. These are part of the celebrations that take place in Korea as the Koreans welcome a fresh year.
Chinese New Year Customs in Korea
Remembering the ancestors - Jae sa is a custom observed in Korea during Lunar New Year. In this custom, family members pay respect to the members who are no more. Images of the deceased are placed on tables or walls. These pictures are surrounded with incense sticks. Also served on the table is a special menu comprising bowls of rice, meat, japchae or noodles made of potato, Asian pears, and various types of rice confectionery. After paying respect, everyone in the family share the food offered to ancestors. It is believed that on this day, the ancestors return to their homes to enjoy the food prepared. The number of dishes prepared on this day can go up to 20 in number.
Gift for children -Children receive money in red envelopes from the elders of the household. They receive these gifts on bowing as a mark of paying respect. Children wear hanbok or traditional Korean dresses.
Other celebrations - In addition to preparing the must-eat food mentioned above, Koreans follow other traditions too. They visit friends and other family members. The first day of Lunar New Year in Korea is known as Sollal. Exchanging gifts, playing New Year games, cleaning homes, and decorating homes are part of the Lunar New Year celebration.
People engage themselves in New Year games. Like every year, this year too, games like neoltwiggi, jegichagi, and tuho. Kite flying is also one of the games that people enjoy during New Year.
There are many theme parks and hotels that offer Lunar New Year packages. Since the celebrations are just around the corner, everyone is gearing up for Chinese New Year celebration in Korea 2011.
Latest Updated on 14/12/2010
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