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| Dan-o the Early Summer Holiday |
| Dano, also called Surinnal, Jungojol, Chonjungjol, and Danyang, falls on the fifth of the fifth lunar calendar. Dan-, th... |
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Traditional Gala days in Korea
During Korean festivals people enjoy relaxing, preparing special meals, and spending time with their family. Many Koreans wear special costumes, ceremonies are held to show respect for their ancestors, and special salutations to the elderly are performed.
There are also traditional games. On festival days the dense population of Seoul suddenly dwindles as people go to the provinces to be with their families. Provincial roads are literally at a standstill as everyone tries to get home. National Festivals are an important part of any country¡¯s culture, and an understanding of the principles behind certain national festivals should bring you closer to an understanding of Korean culture.
Koreans have used the lunar calendar for several thousand years. Even today, people celebrate the by the lunar calendar. The first of January by the lunar calendar is considered as the most important fete of the year. Young people salute the elderly on this day in a traditional manner. When children salute the adults on January 1st, adults give generally the children some money. January 1st is therefore eagerly awaited by children! The day is referred to as 'Seol¡¯.
'Chuseok¡¯ is equivalent to Thanksgiving Day or Harvest Festival in Occidental countries. 'Chuseok¡¯ is held on August 15 by the lunar calendar. People hold a ceremony for their ancestors, preparing meals with crops harvested and fruits. After having breakfast, people go to the their ancestor¡¯s tomb. A ¡®Chuseok¡¯ specialty is ¡®Songpyeon¡¯, a kind of Korean cake made of rice powder. Families make ¡®Song Pyeon¡¯ looking at the moon on the eve of ¡®Chuseok¡¯. People say that young men and women who are unmarried will meet gorgeous spouses if they make beautifully the ¡®Songpyeon¡¯, and ugly spouses if they make it in bad form. Thus single men and women try to make the ¡®Songpyeon¡¯ very well.
The fifth of May by the lunar calendar is another important traditional fete. After finishing the rice planting at the beginning of summer, people pray to heaven for a good harvest. In the past people kept a charm against evils next to their body, although this is unusual these days.
The year¡¯s first full Moon is on the 15th of January. This is celebrated and considered an important fete.
People crack walnuts and peanuts on the 15th of January, to expel evil spirit or harmful insects or animal. And people pray for their wishes at night.
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