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Get ready to shout "Seollal Chukhahamnida" as we prepare to commemorate the Korean New Year on February 10! Also known as "Seollal," this is one of the most significant traditional holidays in Korea, marking the first day of the lunar calendar. The history of this illustrious event dates back to the 14th century during the Joseon Dynasty and is a time for Koreans to pay homage to their ancestors, feast on traditional food, and engage in age-old customs and games. It’s an exciting celebration of heritage, family unities, and the anticipation of a prosperous year ahead! So, let’s immerse ourselves in this wonderful cultural extravaganza and usher in the Korean New Year with joy and reverence!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>14th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Korean New Year's Origin</div><div class='timeline-text'>The observance of the Korean New Year began during the Joseon Dynasty, tying in with the first day of the lunar calendar.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Integration of Shamanistic Practices</div><div class='timeline-text'>Traditional Shamanistic practices were integrated into New Year's, including rituals to honor and appease household spirits.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1894</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Seollal During the Gabo Reform</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the Gabo Reform, a moon calendar reform resulted in the adoption of the solar Gregorian calendar. Despite the shift, Seollal continued to be celebrated according to the lunar calendar.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition as National Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>The South Korean government officially recognized Seollal as a national holiday in 1967, reaffirming its cultural significance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Extended Holiday Period</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2003, the South Korean government extended the Seollal holiday from one day to three days to allow for travel and comprehensive celebrations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, Seollal continues to be one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Korea, marking the fusion of Korea's historical traditions and contemporary customs.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Build a Sebaetdon Tree</h3><p class='facts-text'>Incorporate this traditional Korean custom at your household. A Sebaetdon tree is where you hang envelopes with money as a gift for the kids in the family. This would be a fun activity and interesting addition to your home decoration during the holiday.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare a Korean New Year Feast</h3><p class='facts-text'>Food plays an integral role in the Korean New Year celebration. Prepare traditional foods like Tteokguk (rice cake soup) which is said to grant a year of good luck to whoever consumes it.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Play Yunnori</h3><p class='facts-text'>Emphasize the holiday's focus on family and togetherness by engaging in traditional Korean games like Yunnori. It’s a kind of board game that has been played for thousands of years and will bring out the competitive spirit in everyone.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dress in Hanbok</h3><p class='facts-text'>Wear Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress to fully embrace the Korean New Year atmosphere. The vibrant colors and elegant lines of the Hanbok will make anyone feel festive and stylish at the same time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Perform the ancestral rite of Charye</h3><p class='facts-text'>Honor your ancestors by conducting Charye, an ancestral rite that's traditionally performed during Seollal. By preparing a ritual table with food offerings and performing bows, it’s a sign of respect and remembrance to those who came before us.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Preservation and Celebration of Culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Korean New Year, or Seollal, allows us to actively participate in and celebrate rich Korean customs and traditions dating back to the 14th century. This enhances our understanding of the culture and strengthens our appreciation for it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fostering Family Unity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Seollal emphasizes the importance of family unions and provides an opportunity for joyful reunions, engaging games, and the sharing of meals. This communal atmosphere fosters deeper bonds and creates lasting memories with loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>A Fresh Start</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Ringing in the Korean New Year signifies a fresh start, offering a chance for self-reflection and setting new goals. The anticipation of a prosperous year ahead motivates us to embrace change and aspire for growth in all aspects of our lives.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Seollal is More Than Just a Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although "Seollal" refers to the first day of the Lunar New Year, the holiday typically spans three days including the day before and after Seollal. This allows for extensive celebrations and family reunions across the country.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sebae, a Vital Tradition on Seollal</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sebae is an important custom where younger family members perform a deep traditional bow to their elders as an expression of respect and a way to obtain blessings for the new year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hanji is Iconic in Seollal Celebrations</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hanji, or traditional Korean paper, plays a crucial role during Seollal in creating colorful and symbolic decorations that serve as talismans to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Seollal is More than Just Korea's New Year's Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Besides marking the start of a new lunar year, Seollal is traditionally considered as everyone's birthday. In Korean age reckoning, everyone gets a year older on Seollal rather than on their actual birth date.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Kite Flying is a Popular Activity During Seollal</h3><p class='facts-content'>Flying kites, or Yeonnalligi, is a popular activity during Seollal. It’s believed that as the kite soars high, it carries away bad luck, making way for a prosperous and lucky new year.</p></div></div>
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