CHUSEOK @ KOREAN THANKSGIVING DAY (7 SEPT ~ 9 SEPT)
Chuseok (추석) is one of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea. Family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors for an abundant harvest. In 2014, Chuseok Day falls on September 8, but the holiday is observed for a total of three days (September 7–9). Fortunately, this year's Chuseok holiday period makes for a 5-day weekend since Wednesday, September 10 was also designated a day off during this national holiday period. Many Koreans will visit their family homes to spend quality time together, and the holidays provide a good opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural experiences throughout Korea. Let's take a closer look at the traditional Korean holiday of Chuseok.
The meaning of Chuseok (Hangawi)
Chuseok is one of Korea’s three major holidays, along with Seollal (New Year’s Day) and Dano (the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar year) and is also referred to as Hangawi (한가위). Han means “big” and gawi means “the ides of August/Autumn” (August 15th according to the lunar calendar is when the full harvest moon appears). Hangawi/Chuseok was the day on which Koreans, an agrarian people throughout most of history, gave thanks to their ancestors for the year’s harvest, and shared their abundance with family and friends.
Although the exact origin of Chuseok is unclear, the tradition may be found at ancient religious practices that centered around the moon. The sun’s presence was considered routine, but the full moon that came once a month was considered a special and meaningful event. Therefore, harvest festivities took place on the day of the bright, full moon or August 15 on the lunar calendar system.
Chuseok Customs
On the morning of Chuseok Day, foods prepared with the year’s fresh harvest are set out to give thanks to ancestors through Charye (ancestor memorial service). After Charye, families visit their ancestors’ graves and engage in Beolcho, a ritual of clearing the weeds that may have grown up over the burial mound. After dusk, families and friends take walks and gaze at the beauty of the full harvest moon or play folk games such as Ganggangsullae (Korean circle dance).
Chuseok Food
Chuseok celebrates the rich harvest season when fruit and grain are abundant. Using the newly harvested rice, people make steamed rice, rice cakes, and liquor.
Recommended Places to Visit for the Chuseok Holidays
During Chuseok, many cultural sites including the ancient palaces in Seoul, the Korean Folk Village, and Namsangol Hanok Village host special holiday events for visitors. This year, the Korean Folk Village will host folk games and traditional performances from September 7 to 14 and the Namsangol Hanok Village will as well on September 8 and 9. The four major ancient palaces in Seoul (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon [UNESCO World Heritage], Changgyeonggung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace) as well as Jongmyo Shrine will also be holding special Chuseok holiday programs, and during the Chuseok holidays, the palaces, the shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs will offer free admission to visitors wearing a hanbok.
If you are looking to delve even deeper into the meaning of Chuseok, visit the Korean Folk Village for their special holiday programs, including reenactment of Chuseok customs and ancestral rites, songpyeon making, nongak (farmers’ music), tight-rope walking, and martial arts on horseback. In addition, the Tourist Information Center (TIC) of Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will also be holding special Chuseok holiday events.
JAFRI
00821029184243
Chuseok (추석) is one of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea. Family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors for an abundant harvest. In 2014, Chuseok Day falls on September 8, but the holiday is observed for a total of three days (September 7–9). Fortunately, this year's Chuseok holiday period makes for a 5-day weekend since Wednesday, September 10 was also designated a day off during this national holiday period. Many Koreans will visit their family homes to spend quality time together, and the holidays provide a good opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural experiences throughout Korea. Let's take a closer look at the traditional Korean holiday of Chuseok.
The meaning of Chuseok (Hangawi)
Chuseok is one of Korea’s three major holidays, along with Seollal (New Year’s Day) and Dano (the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar year) and is also referred to as Hangawi (한가위). Han means “big” and gawi means “the ides of August/Autumn” (August 15th according to the lunar calendar is when the full harvest moon appears). Hangawi/Chuseok was the day on which Koreans, an agrarian people throughout most of history, gave thanks to their ancestors for the year’s harvest, and shared their abundance with family and friends.
Although the exact origin of Chuseok is unclear, the tradition may be found at ancient religious practices that centered around the moon. The sun’s presence was considered routine, but the full moon that came once a month was considered a special and meaningful event. Therefore, harvest festivities took place on the day of the bright, full moon or August 15 on the lunar calendar system.
On the morning of Chuseok Day, foods prepared with the year’s fresh harvest are set out to give thanks to ancestors through Charye (ancestor memorial service). After Charye, families visit their ancestors’ graves and engage in Beolcho, a ritual of clearing the weeds that may have grown up over the burial mound. After dusk, families and friends take walks and gaze at the beauty of the full harvest moon or play folk games such as Ganggangsullae (Korean circle dance).
Chuseok Food
Chuseok celebrates the rich harvest season when fruit and grain are abundant. Using the newly harvested rice, people make steamed rice, rice cakes, and liquor.
Recommended Places to Visit for the Chuseok Holidays
During Chuseok, many cultural sites including the ancient palaces in Seoul, the Korean Folk Village, and Namsangol Hanok Village host special holiday events for visitors. This year, the Korean Folk Village will host folk games and traditional performances from September 7 to 14 and the Namsangol Hanok Village will as well on September 8 and 9. The four major ancient palaces in Seoul (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon [UNESCO World Heritage], Changgyeonggung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace) as well as Jongmyo Shrine will also be holding special Chuseok holiday programs, and during the Chuseok holidays, the palaces, the shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs will offer free admission to visitors wearing a hanbok.
If you are looking to delve even deeper into the meaning of Chuseok, visit the Korean Folk Village for their special holiday programs, including reenactment of Chuseok customs and ancestral rites, songpyeon making, nongak (farmers’ music), tight-rope walking, and martial arts on horseback. In addition, the Tourist Information Center (TIC) of Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will also be holding special Chuseok holiday events.
JAFRI
00821029184243
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