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. 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. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival The Vietnamese New Year celebration of Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan which means “festival of the first day”, is celebrated over three days as opposed to the traditional 15 of the Chinese New Known as Seollal in South Korea and Tet in Vietnam, the beginning of the lunisolar year is the most important holiday in many Asian countries. In China, it prompts the world’s largest annual 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 celebrations commemorate the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar and start from January 29 this year. It is a festival that marks the Korean New Year, and since the day has cultural and traditional value, it goes on for three days! This year, Lunar New Year is set for January 29th. RELATED: Things to in Korea in February; HOW DO KOREANS CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR? Much like Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), Lunar New Year is a time to visit your hometown and enjoy meals, play games and catch up with family. Many families will perform a ceremony called charye (차례), which is It is a customary and heartfelt Korean New Year’s greeting, expressing wishes for abundant blessings, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Koreans share this warm sentiment during Seollal, the Korean New Year, in the days leading up to the arrival of the New Year, or for a while after the day. Related Page: Learning Korean 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. Lunar New Year Celebrations: Celebrated by various cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities, Lunar New Year festivities often include unique customs and rituals that reflect 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 New Year is the most important holiday in China. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, it begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. Korea. In Korea Lune New Year is primarily celebrated in many Asian cultures, including by Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian. Each culture has its own name for the A lion dance head is displayed to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year which marks the Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at China Town in Yokohama, south of Tokyo A lion dance head is displayed to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year which marks the Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at China Town in Yokohama, south of Tokyo A warm, savory soup made with thinly sliced rice cakes, Tteokguk is a must-eat dish on Korean New Year’s Day. Eating it symbolizes getting older, welcoming good fortune, and wishing for wealth in the coming year. New Year's celebrations vary throughout the world. Some celebrate the new year on January 1. Others take place later in the month—like Lunar New Year and Korean New Year. But what is Korean New A lion dance head is displayed to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year which marks the Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at China Town in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Lunar New Year festivals and prayers marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield on Wednesday — including in Moscow. Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a
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