This weekend saw the celebration of Seollal in South Korea. Seollal is the first day of the lunar calendar and falls on the same day as the more advertised Chinese New Year. Traditionally it is bestowed with a 3 day holiday but due to the fact that it landed on a Sunday this year, we were treated to the less accepted solo Monday off work. That said, a day off is a day off and this lassie is not one to frown at such.
So what should we do?
I'm not sure what 'we' as a pack af foreign gregorian calendar followers should do but traditionally Korean families all get together in their home towns and perform ancestral rites known as charye (차례). They down the traditional clothing of the hanbok and usually eat ricecake soup (tteokguk/떡국).
When asking students what Seollal involves, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was a commercial money orientated festival. Although many people give each other gifts, the gifts are often functional food and grocery hampers. The money aspect comes into play when the children of the family perform a deep bow and say saehae bok manhi badeuseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요). Family members would then pass money into the hands of these enthused (but often less than deserving) children.
Tiger eh?
This year is the year of the White Tiger, an auspicious event as this glorious animal only graces these calendars every 60 years. White Tigers have often been seen as positive omen as the chance of stumbling upon one in the wilderness is one in a million. Maybe this white creature is responsible for the unusual amount of snowfall in Korea this year. If so, I'm thankful to him for creating good slopes for this (very) novice snowboarder.
Isn't february 14th also St. Valentines Day?
Yes. Another intriguing custom to be explained here and another interesting holiday in Korea. Growing up in Ireland, it is custom (whether defined by Hallmark or not) that couples, partners etc. give each other gifts and cards on this day. Usually its observed that the poor helpless male half of the couple spends most of the money trying to please his girlfriend and possibly outdo her girlfriends' otherhalfs. In Korea, alas, said boy has nothing to worry about (yet). The girl will buy chocolate for her partner on Valentines Day (note the dropping of the St.). The boy will have no obligations do purchase flowers, choccies, cards etc.....until White Day.
What in the world is White Day?
A month after Valentines day sees White Day (March 14) when it becomes the man's turn to adorn his love in chocolate and whathaveyanots. All is fair in love? But what about the poor souls that have no-one to give or receive chocolate to and from? Where's their holiday........well... Black Day!
Ok, What in living life is Black Day?
If I still have your attention, a month after White Day sees Black Day (April 14). The grim colour attached to this holiday is not an accident it seems. On black day, those who did not participate in either Valentines Day or White Day will go to their local restaurant and continue an informal tradition that developed from .... somewhere. They order jajangmyeon (자장면), a noodle with black bean sauce and 'celebrate' being single. Not for the cynically minded I think.
What next? I await for more colorful days.
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