Korean Seollal, or Lunar New Year’s Day, is one of Korea's most important holidays. Its origins date to the Silla dynasty (57 BCE–935 CE). It is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, usually between late January and mid-February. Seollal is a central part of Korean culture, with traditions like honoring ancestors, gathering with family, and enjoying traditional foods and games.
During the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), Seollal became even more important in Korean society. It emphasized values like respect and duty toward one’s parents and elders. On the morning of Seollal, families practiced rituals called charye, where they offered specially prepared food and performed ceremonial bows to honor ancestors. Korean families believed these actions would bring blessings and good fortune for the new year.
After charye, families performed sebae. Sebae is the act of bowing and offering New Year’s greetings by younger people to their elders.
After finishing sebae, families enjoyed tteokguk (rice cake soup) for breakfast. Then, people visited other family members and neighbors to give sebae. Traditionally, hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) was worn when performing sebae.
In the 20th century, Seollal traditions adapted to Korea’s modernization and urbanization. Despite these changes, key customs like traveling to ancestral family homes and preparing traditional dishes like tteokguk have continued.
Popular activities such as yutnori (a traditional board game) and kite flying are still enjoyed by many. Many people also wear hanbok during special celebrations and important events. Seollal continues to be a cherished time for Koreans. It lets them connect with their cultural heritage, spend time with loved ones, and look forward to a new year filled with hope, prosperity, and blessings.
Chuseok means “mid-autumn day.” It is a beloved holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This day usually falls in September or October. It dates back over 2,000 years to the Silla dynasty and is a fall festival to celebrate the full moon and the harvest. The holiday is a time to thank ancestors for their blessings and the good crops they provided. During the Joseon dynasty, Chuseok became more organized and widely celebrated. Families also performed charye on Chuseok, which helped make the holiday a time for families and communities to get together.
A key part of Chuseok is the preparation of special foods, especially songpyeon. Songpyeon is a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with ingredients like sesame seeds or sweet red bean paste. Making songpyeon is often a family activity that symbolizes good luck.
Traditional games and activities such as ganggangsullae and ssireum are also part of the celebrations. Ganggangsullae is a traditional Korean folk dance performed by women in a circle. It is usually performed under the full moon and promotes community bonding. Ssireum is Korean wrestling where wrestlers wear a belt around their waist and one thigh. A match is won when one wrestler forces any part of the opponent’s body above the knee to touch the ground.
Today, Seollal and Chuseok remain deeply rooted in Korean culture. Many Koreans, whether at home or abroad, honor family and ancestral spirits with a mix of old and new customs. These holidays symbolize cultural identity and heritage. They help to ensure Korean traditions continue across generations.