Let's Learn about Korea: Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!!!
I'm know, you are thinking, but New Years was over a month ago.
In Korea, they celebrate Lunar New Year, which falls on February 14th this year.

The Lunar New Year, called Seollal, is a special holiday celebrated in Korea. It is the most important of the Korean holidays. The holiday lasts 3 days and is family oriented. Rice Cake Soup is traditionally served. Elders give children red envelopes with money inside, candy and fruit. Children give elders fruit.

Children kneel and bow to their ancestors and elders. Family members wish each other prosperity and good fortune. Then they exchange gifts. The family spends time together and have rice-cake soup for breakfast. Children often take this day to play special New Year games.

In parts of Korea, people usher in the New Year with a ritual called Jishin Balpgi. Loud drums and gongs are played to scare off evil spirits of the old year. At the end of the day, friends and relatives join together for dinner to renew their friendship. Sol is a celebration of family and good friends. And for the Koreans, the New Year is about family and community.

The holiday falls on the second full moon after the winter solstice. The hanbok is the traditional Korean dress. It is worn on birthdays, weddings and special holidays such as the Lunar New Year. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals of the Zodiac. The year 2010 is the Year of the Tiger. Traditionally, ALL Koreans turn another year older on the Lunar New Year. They do not turn another year older on their actual birth date. According to folklore, the rice cake soup makes everyone turn another year older. Happy New Year!