Origin & history
Seollal's origins trace back to ancient China's lunar calendar and the Three Kingdoms period of Korea (57 BCE – 668 CE). Historical records, such as the Samguk Sagi, mention New Year celebrations involving ancestral rites and feasts. The holiday became further institutionalized during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), when Confucianism emphasized filial piety and ancestor worship. The term 'Seollal' combines 'seol' (meaning 'new' or 'year') and 'lal' (a suffix for 'day'), reflecting its focus on renewal. Despite Japanese colonial attempts to suppress it in the early 20th century, Seollal remained a cherished tradition and was officially reinstated as a public holiday in 1985 after a period of modernization.
Customs & traditions
On Seollal, Koreans perform charye, a ritual offering food and drinks to ancestors, and then partake in seongmyo (visiting ancestral graves). Families gather to eat tteokguk (rice cake soup), which symbolizes gaining a year of age and good luck. Elders give children sebaetdon (New Year's money) after deep bows called sebae. Traditional games like yunnori (a board game with sticks) and jegichagi (similar to hacky sack) are played. Many also wear hanbok, the traditional Korean attire, to honor the holiday's cultural roots. In modern times, urban families often travel to their hometowns, leading to mass migrations across the country.
Why it is celebrated
Seollal represents a time for family reunion, gratitude to ancestors, and hope for the new year. It reinforces Confucian values of filial piety and respect for elders, while also strengthening family bonds. The holiday's emphasis on renewal and starting fresh reflects Korea's cultural focus on harmony and continuity between past, present, and future generations.