Why Koreans Celebrate Lunar New Year (Seollal) More Than the Gregorian New Year

Korea is celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, during which many people went on overseas trips after visiting their hometowns early.

For those unfamiliar with Korean culture, it might seem puzzling why Koreans dedicate so much more attention and celebration to the Lunar New Year, known as Seollal (설날), than the Gregorian New Year (January 1st). While Koreans acknowledge and sometimes celebrate January 1st, the energy and significance associated with Seollal are on a completely different level. This blog post will delve into the reasons behind this fascinating cultural phenomenon, explaining the historical, societal, and spiritual factors that make Seollal the most important holiday in Korea.

A Deep Dive into History and Tradition

To understand the prominence of Seollal, we need to go back in time. Korea’s history is deeply rooted in agriculture. For centuries, the lives of Koreans were intimately tied to the agricultural cycle, with the seasons dictating work, celebrations, and even spiritual beliefs. Lunar calendars, which follow the cycles of the moon, provided a more accurate guide to the agricultural seasons than the solar-based Gregorian calendar.

• Agricultural Significance: The Lunar New Year, coinciding with the start of spring and the beginning of the farming season, became a crucial marker. It represented the end of the long, harsh winter and the promise of a new harvest. This made Seollal a time of hope, renewal, and gratitude for the blessings of the past year.
• Historical Continuity: Unlike the Gregorian New Year, which was adopted relatively recently, Seollal has been celebrated in Korea for thousands of years, making it an integral part of Korean identity and culture. It has survived numerous historical periods, including invasions and modernization, continuously shaping the Korean people. The traditions, rituals, and family gatherings associated with Seollal have been passed down through generations.
• Royal Significance: In the past, Seollal was a time when the Korean royalty would perform rituals to ensure a prosperous year for the kingdom and its people. The king would host special ceremonies and receive tributes from his officials, solidifying his role as the leader and the guardian of the people.

The Importance of Family and Ancestors

At the heart of Seollal lies the paramount importance of family. This holiday is arguably the most significant time for family reunions. This aspect differentiates Seollal most from the Gregorian New Year and its focus on festivities, resolutions and general societal reflection.

• Family Gatherings: It is a time when families travel from all over the country and even abroad to return to their hometowns and spend time with their loved ones. This often results in massive traffic jams, as millions of Koreans take to the roads and railways to get to their families. It is a temporary migration more extensive than the US Thanksgiving rush. The focus is entirely on family.
• Charye and Ancestor Worship: One of the most important traditions is Charye (차례), a ritual performed to honor ancestors. Families prepare elaborate meals, including special foods and rice wine, and offer them to the spirits of their ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude. This practice reinforces the strong connection between the living and the deceased and highlights the value placed on lineage and family history.
• Respect for Elders: Seollal is a time when younger family members show respect to their elders. Children perform the traditional deep bow, Sebae (세배), to their parents, grandparents, and other senior relatives. In return, they receive blessings and often small amounts of money, known as Se-baetdon (세뱃돈), as a token of good luck.
• Traditional Games and Activities: The days around Seollal are also filled with traditional games like Yut Nori, and other family activities. This strengthens family bonds and the transmission of cultural heritage to younger generations.

Rituals and Practices That Shape the Celebration

Seollal is not just a time for family gatherings; it is also defined by many unique rituals and practices that have been preserved across generations.

• Special Foods: The holiday is marked by special foods that are eaten during the holiday period. The most iconic of these is Tteokguk (떡국), a rice cake soup, which is considered essential for celebrating the new year. Eating tteokguk is believed to symbolically add a year to one’s age, symbolizing health and longevity. Other popular dishes include jeon (Korean pancakes), galbi (grilled short ribs), and various types of traditional Korean desserts.

• New Clothes and Appearance: This also applies to clothing. It is also common practice to wear brand new Hanbok (한복), or Korean traditional dress. This represents a fresh start and a new year. This is a form of expressing and reflecting on renewal and new beginnings.
• Divination and Fortune-Telling: New Year’s celebrations contain resolutions, but Lunar New Year also expects good luck and good luck for this year. Korean fortune-telling, called Tojongbigyol, used to be very common, is disappearing. Some people visit fortune-telling and peek into their future.

Conclusion: Beyond a Holiday, A Cultural Identity

In essence, the Korean Lunar New Year, Seollal, is much more than a simple holiday. It is a cultural cornerstone that reflects the values, beliefs, and historical experiences of the Korean people. It is a time for honoring ancestors, strengthening family bonds, embracing tradition, and welcoming the promise of a fresh start. This is why Seollal holds a far greater significance than the Gregorian New Year, and remains the most important celebration in Korea. By understanding the historical depth, spiritual meaning, and cultural significance of Seollal, you’ll gain a richer appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of Korean culture.