Lunar New Year
February 18, 2007
For Jin's father.
Today was New Year's Day on the Chinese lunar
calendar. Almost all Koreans here celebrate lunar holidays.
Especially the big ones. Lunar New Year is a really big
holiday. Families get together like we would for Thanksgiving
in America. It begins with a traditional ceremony where the
family bows to their deceased father at a table full of traditional
foods. Koreans believe that the father visits their home
during this time and eats as they bow.
Afterwards, the family takes turns bowing to their
elders. It starts out with the Grandmother sitting at the head
of room and each generation takes turns bowing to her and then each
other. The children also get money from each elder, so they
make out like bandits on this holiday!
I participated in Yong Won's ceremony last year (see
here) and I was honored to be a part of Jin's ceremony and Yong
Won's again today. First we had a ceremony in Jin's house for
her father and then we moved to Yong Won's mother's house for his
father.
Jin's father's ceremony
Bowing and chatting.
A plate of food is left outside the front door
for any bad spirits that might follow the father's spirit home.
Yong Won's father's ceremony.
Ceremonial bowing.
Playing & arguing about the Korean traditional game
Yutnori.
What I learned today about Korea: 1) This is my second Lunar
New Year celebration. I think that means I've been here a long
time!
