The wave of Korean culture taking the world by storm is understandably intriguing. From incredible cinema to the rise in K-pop, Korean culture is being integrated into the society around the world. If you're like many looking to learn more about Korean culture, the traditions and customs of the Korean people are a great place to start. Here are some of the common customs and traditions present in everyday life in Korea.
Remove Your Shoes Before You Enter Dwellings – If you visit South Korea or have Korean friends, you know it is customary to remove your shoes before you enter their homes, places of worship, and some businesses. Like many Asian cultures, removing your shoes is a sign of respect. Wearing shoes inside one's home brings in dirt and grime from the outside. Before you enter, leave your shoes at the entrance, usually in a designated spot or storage.
Baby's First Birthday Doljanchi – The first birthday of a Korean child is a grand celebration and milestone in Korean culture. The Doljanchi is celebrated by the parents with many traditional foods and recipes. One of the most significant highlights of the celebration is the Doljabi. The tradition traces back to the 1800s and is held to celebrate to bless the child with a prosperous future and a healthy life.
Various objects are placed in front of the child, and encouraged to choose one. The object they choose will be symbolic of the future ahead. The items many families may choose to place in front of their children are stethoscopes, pencils, threads, money, notepads, and more, each representative of the career paths life they may lead.
Koreans Celebrate Two Birthdays – Koreans have a unique aging system where when the baby is born, they are already one year old, as Koreans count the time in the womb. In addition to this unique aging system that differs from other cultures, Koreans also celebrate two birthdays: one on their actual day of birth and the other on the Lunar New Year or Seollal. Koreans will start the morning with a bowl of Tteokguk, a traditional rice cake soup, together with the family.
Chestnut Throwing and Piggy Back Rides – A fun wedding custom is after the wedding, the bride and groom meet with their family during the Pyebaek and show respect by providing a deep bow to their parents. After, the family throws chestnuts at the bride, who must then catch them in her hanbok. How many chestnuts symbolize the number of children the couple will have. After the chestnut event, the groom will carry the bride on his back around the Pyebaek table to show that he can support his wife for a lifetime.
Many Korean customs and traditions have been around for centuries that families continue to honor today. Korea is a wonderful place that values respect, traditions, and family above all else. Learning about the Korean people's customs and traditions can help us all better understand the Korean culture.