Seollal (설날) is the Korean New Year and one of the most significant holidays in South Korea. It marks the first day of the lunar calendar and is a time when families gather to honor their ancestors, celebrate together, and prepare for a prosperous new year.
Seollal has been celebrated for centuries and traces back to centuries and its history traces back to the ancient agricultural practices in Korea when the lunar calendar was an imperative part of farming. During ancient times, farmers depended on the phases of the moon to determine the best time for planting and harvesting, and the New Year was the time that marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Thus, Seollal became a symbol of rebirth after a harsh winter and a time for communities to come together and celebrate and show gratitude for the year’s harvest.
Seollal also has its roots in Confucian and Buddhist traditions and was historically a time to honor ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and prepare for a prosperous new year.
Seollal usually lasts for three days—beginning the day before New Year’s Day, and ending the day after. The festival is rich with customs passed down for generations, from ancestral rites to special foods and traditional games. Here are nine customs that make Seollal a truly unique and cherished festival in Korea.
Related: 10 Korean Lunar New Year Words You Must Know!
1. Sebae (New Year’s Bow)
One of the most important customs of Seollal is sebae (세배), a deep bow performed by younger family members to show respect to their elders while wishing them good health in the new year. In return, elders offer words of wisdom and sebaetdon (세뱃돈), or New Year’s money, in red envelopes as a blessing for good fortune in the coming year.
2. Charye (Ancestral Rites)
Charye (차례) is a significant aspect of Seollal celebrations and is the practice of ancestral worship. In this ritual, Koreans pay respect to the deceased family members by bowing deeply to their ancestors. They also prepare an elaborate altar with food offerings like tteokguk (rice cake soup), jeon (savory pancakes), galbijjim (braised short ribs), and liquor. These dishes are carefully arranged in a specific order to pay respects and seek blessings from the ancestors.
3. Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)
Eating tteokguk (떡국), a soup made with sliced rice cakes in a clear broth is a must on Seollal. The rice cakes are a symbol of purity and new beginnings and it is believed that eating this dish grants good luck and symbolizes growing a year older. The broth is typically flavored with beef and various vegetables.
4. Jeon (Savory Pancakes)
Jeon (전) is another special dish consumed during Seollal. It is a savory pancake made using ingredients like vegetables, seafood, and meat. The ingredients are mixed in a light batter and pan-fried and served as a symbol of abundance and good fortune.
5. Yut Nori (Traditional Board Game)
Families often play yut nori (윷놀이), a traditional board game that involves throwing four wooden sticks to determine the movement of game pieces. It is played by throwing four sticks, known as yut, and moving your game markers around the board depending on the number of sticks that face upwards. Each team has four markers and the first team to get all four of their markers around the board, and back to the starting point wins.
6. Wearing Hanbok (Traditional Korean Attire)
Many people dress in hanbok (한복), Korea’s traditional attire, during Seollal. The vibrant colors and elegant designs of hanbok symbolize good fortune and are often worn during family gatherings and ceremonies like the sebae and charye.
7. Yeon Nalligi (Flying Kites)
Traditional kite flying, known as yeon nalligi (연날리기), is a popular Seollal activity, especially among children. It is said that cutting the string of a kite releases bad luck and welcomes positive energy for the new year.
8. Jeongwol Daeboreum (Great Full Moon Festival)
Though not on the same day as Seollal, some traditions extend to the first full moon of the lunar year. Jeongwol daeboreum (정월대보름) is the first full moon following Seollal, and on this day, people eat bureom (부럼) i.e nuts and seeds, to bring strength and good health and engage in rituals to ward off bad luck.
9. Saju (Fortune-Telling)
Many people seek out saju (사주) readings or bokjori (복조리) aka fortune pouches, to predict their luck for the coming year. Some even visit temples to pray for health, prosperity, and happiness.
Seollal is more than just the start of a new year; it is a time of family, gratitude, and tradition. The customs associated with the holiday reflect Korea’s deep respect for ancestors, cultural heritage, and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. Whether it’s through food, games, or rituals, each tradition carries a special meaning that makes Seollal a truly remarkable celebration.
Wishing you a Happy Lunar New Year!
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