Thursday, January 19, 2012

Chinese New Year in Korea

Seollal, Myeongjeol, Gujeong, Chinese New Year, Korean New Year, whatever it is; is coming again. It is the first day of the Lunar calendar and this year it happens on the 23rd of this month. So, 23rd (Monday) and 24th (Tuesday) are considered holidays and including Saturday and Sunday, there are four days vacation. Seollal is one of the most important holidays in Korea.

On this day, Koreans have to eat Tteokguk, soup with sliced rice cakes. Once you finish eating your Tteokguk, you are one year older. Also children bow to their parents, grandparents, relatives which is called Saebe and people say Saehae Bok Manhi Padeuseyo which means "Have a Blesses New Year". Children also receive Saebe Don or New Year's Money or Pocket Money or is it called Lucky Money for Chinese? Parents and Grandparents offer words of wisdom to their children.

Saehe Bok Manhi Padeuseyo! Happy New Year!

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