Do People in Korea Celebrate Chinese New Year
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- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Korean Lunar New Year
Do People in Korea Celebrate Chinese New Year
While Chinese New Year is a significant celebration in China, people in Korea primarily celebrate their own Lunar New Year, known as Seollal.
Seollal is a major holiday in Korea, filled with traditions like bowing to elders, sharing special foods, and spending time with family. While some cultural exchange may occur, Seollal remains the central focus for Lunar New Year celebrations in Korea.
Seollal
Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is a time for family gatherings, honoring ancestors, and enjoying traditional customs.
Key aspects of Seollal:
Family Reunions: Families travel to their hometowns to visit elders and pay respects to ancestors.
Sebae: Children bow deeply to their elders as a sign of respect, and in return, receive "sebaetdon" (lucky money) in colorful envelopes.
Tteokguk: A bowl of tteokguk (rice cake soup) is traditionally eaten on Seollal morning. It's believed that eating tteokguk signifies a year older.
Traditional Games: Families often play traditional games like yut nori (a stick game) and enjoy folk music and dance performances.
Seollal is a cherished holiday in Korea, filled with warmth, tradition, and a sense of community.
Is Korean New Year Same as Chinese
Korean vs. Chinese New Year
Korean New Year (Seollal) and Chinese New Year are celebrated at the same time, with very rare exceptions. They both follow the lunisolar calendar, which is based on both the lunar cycle and the solar year.
Seollal is a major holiday in Korea, and it is a time for families to gather, eat traditional food, and perform ancestral rites. While it shares similarities with Chinese New Year, it also has its own unique customs and traditions.
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