Occasionally, about every 24 years, Korean New Year will occur one day after Chinese New Year because of the new moon between Korea’s midnight (15:00UTC) and China’s midnight (16:00UTC). Okay, so nearly everyone in the world has adopted the Gregorian calendar and thus celebrate new year’s day on January 1st. History of Korean New Year. Seollal is a cultural holiday, which has its roots in traditional Chinese Confucianism and is celebrated on the first day of the Korean lunar calendar. It usually lasts three days — the day before Korean New Year, Korean New Year itself, and the day after Korean New Year. Korean Lunar New Year also has its own unique customs and traditions. Korean New Year Traditions. While Christmas in Korea is usually a time for celebrating with friends or for going on dates, Seollal, like Chuseok, is more of a family-based celebration. Many Koreans travel back to their family homes during this period. Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, has a rich history deeply rooted in Korean traditions. The detailed records of Seollal customs are traced back to the Silla Dynasty . According to historical records, during the Silla period, people exchanged New Year’s greetings on the first day of the year. The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it’s called renri/jan jat (the people’s birthday). The lunar new year in Korean is: Eumnyeok Seollal (음력 설날; 陰曆); or otherwise formally known as: Gujeong (구정; 舊正) Korean New Year VS Chinese New Year. There is no difference on when the Lunar New Year is celebrated between Korea and China. Even so, while both the Korean Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year share the same dates and are based on family reunions, each has a distinct identity and order of traditions. One of the most easily recognisable differences between the two celebrations is seen in the clothing. Where Chinese will often don red coloured traditional or Seollal is the celebration of Korean New Year, or more specifically Korean Lunar New Year. Seollal (설날 in hangul) is one of the most important holidays in South Korea along with Chuseok, Korea’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Seollal is when Koreans celebrate the new year of the traditional Korean calendar, which is lunisolar. In Korea, during the Lunar New Year (Seollal), elders give money to young or unmarried adults after receiving their New Year’s bow (sebae). One legend suggests the Korean tradition originates In Korea, the Lunar New Year is a three-day event offering a chance to pay respect to ancestors and elders. In Korean culture, people have an official age based on their birthday, but they also Seollal (Korean: 설날; RR: Seollal; MR: Sŏllal) is a Korean traditional festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the lunisolar calendar. [1] It is one of the most important traditional holidays for ethnic Koreans, being celebrated in both North Korea and South Korea as well as Korean diaspora all around the world. Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences. Chinese New Year specifically refers to the celebration in China and among Chinese communities worldwide, while Lunar New Year is a broader term that includes various cultures and countries that follow the lunar calendar. Welcoming the Lunar New Year is an important cultural event in Korea, filled with joy, celebration, and well wishes for a prosperous year ahead. If you want to extend your greetings to Korean friends and acquaintances during this festive season, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to say Happy Lunar Year in Korean, including both formal and You’ll find bright, imaginative displays that breathe new life into Korean comic culture. Not only that but it’s also a great chance to explore Bucheon’s bustling art scene while enjoying these Lunar New Year 2025 festivals in South Korea. Korea Manhwa Museum, Gyeonggi. Address: 1 Gilju-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Chinese and Vietnamese people will have dinner together on New Year's Eve. This is one of the most important meals of the year. Koreans will visit family and graves before and after Tet. The second similarity is the tradition of giving lucky money - celebrating the new year. New Year in Korea. Before we get into the Korean vocabulary, here are a few important things to go over related to New Year’s in Korea. Firstly, Korea has two New Year celebrations. Korean Solar New Year. On January 1st, there is the celebration of the Solar New Year, 신정 (sinjeong). That is the celebration covered in this article. Some believe that this sweeps away bad luck and makes room for incoming blessings. However, sweeping or cleaning on New Year’s Day is avoided, as it could sweep away good fortune. Special Foods and Festive Customs of Chinese New Year. Food is an essential part of Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying symbolic meanings. Seollal (설날) is the Korean Lunar New Year, one of the most important and traditional holidays in Korea. It usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the Lunar Calendar. It usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the Lunar Calendar. For 2024 the Lunar New Year is Feb. 10 but people gather for the day before and after as well to make it a 3 day celebration. How does Korea celebrate New Years? Korean New Years; Aka 설날 is Koreas Lunar New Year celebration. The Lunar New Year follows the Lunar calendar and thus the date changes each year. Sebae 세배
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