Back in 2023, I did an overview of the Korean Lunar New Year, going through how it is celebrated, key New Year dishes, the difference between Chinese and Korean New Year, and more. Today I want to delve a bit deeper and get more into the customs and zodiacs, and certain things. Koreans still enjoy the January 1st New Year, but it’s more similar to the one over here, without any big family connection.
Korean Lunar New Year Customs
The Lunar New Year is focused around family, with a 3-day holiday off school and work for Koreans; which is the day before, New Year’s, and the day after. Most people take this time to return to their hometowns to visit their family and relatives and perform ancestral rites. People travel back from out of the country as well; so it’s a major day for traffic and travel for a lot of people! It’s a major family-focused holiday, with things related to ancestors, so it’s considered important for most to reconnect, visit, and pay respects.
Typically in the morning on the first day, people pay respects towards their ancestors (차례). With traditional food on a table as an offering, everyone in the family bows (세배) deeply to the floor towards the table. Then they pray for the wellbeing of themselves and other family members. Some people dress up traditionally as well, wearing hanbok but many wear normal everyday clothes as well. After paying their respects everyone has a huge feast!
Similarly to Chinese New Year, the day is associated with a new Chinese zodiac; 2025’s New Year brings in the year of the snake. It is a common belief that people born during a Chinese zodiac have certain characteristics to match the corresponding animal, so much so that some couples may plan to have a child in a specific year to fit their ideal zodiac!
Is the Korean Lunar New Year Expensive?
Along with traveling, potentially a great distance, gifts are a big focus so the holiday can get quite expensive. Wrapped packages of high-quality fruit are a common, and expensive, gift. Even so much that the price of groceries increases around the holiday. Not only for the fancy fruits! From fruits and vegetables to meat and seafood.
Thus many people started to skip out on going all out on food for the ancestral ritual or gifts. Many retailers are offering discounts, gift certificates on ritual food items, discounts on certain fruits and vegetables, and one-plus-one promotions to try to offset the increased prices. The government also tries to account for the increased demand for certain items and ramp up supply of key products.
Quick Overview of Zodiacs
Rat (쥐)
Years: 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Characteristics: clever, ambitious, charming, inventive, and logical
Ox (소)
Years: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Characteristics: strong, tolerant, inspiring, and hard-working
Tiger (호랑이)
Years: 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Characteristics: sensitive, deep thinkers, candid, a bit indecisive, and short-tempered
Rabbit (토끼)
Years: 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Characteristics: friendly, empathetic, great communicator, affectionate, but a bit private
Dragon (용)
Years: 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Characteristics: ambitious, brave, driven, great leader, and passionate
Snake (뱀)
Years: 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Characteristics: introspective, refined, intelligent, and cunning
Horse (말)
Years: 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
Characteristics: popular, adaptable, enthusiastic, wise, independent, but impatient
Sheep (양)
Years: 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
Characteristics: intelligent, calm, compassionate, creative, and elegant
Monkey (원숭이)
Years: 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
Characteristics: clever, inventive, flexible, quick learner, but easily distracted
Rooster (닭)
Years: 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Characteristics: decisive, outspoken, extravagant, and ambitious
Dog (개)
Years: 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
Characteristics: honest, responsible, loyal, generous, but stubborn
Pig (돼지)
Years: 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
Characteristics: thoughtful, loyal, sincere, genuine, with a warm heart
Zodiac-Related Vocab
띠: zodiac sign (attached at the end of each animal to say rat zodiac, ox zodiac, etc)
십이지신: the twelve animals of the zodiac
쥐띠: rat
소띠: ox
호랑이띠: tiger
토끼띠: rabbit
용띠: dragon
뱀띠: snake
말띠: horse
양띠: sheep
원숭이띠: monkey
닭띠: rooster
개띠: dog
돼지띠: pig
Quick Korean Lunar New Year Vocab!
설날: Lunar New Year
차례: ancestral rite performed on the New Year
세배: deep bow in respect to one’s seniors
세뱃돈: New Year’s gift of money
새해 복 많이 받으세요!: I wish you much luck this year!
떡국: sliced rice cake soup
잡채: stir-fried glass noodle dish
만두: dumplings
전: savory pancakes (pictured above) for example:
- 육전: beef pancake
- 굴전: oyster pancake
- 김치전: kimchi pancake
- 파전: green onion pancake
- 감자전: shredded potato pancake
0 Comments