Korea special holiday, Seol

Korea special holiday, Seol

Chinese new years day, Seol has 3 to 4  days vacation. Korean people go to their hometowns on Seol. Some people get busy preparing food for ancestor-momorial service and welcoming visitors.

In the morning of Seol people do the memorial service offering rice cake soup. Ddeokgook, rice cake soup is made of rice powder which is kneaded  rope shaped and steamed in the pot. This kneaded rice cake is called Garaeddeok. Garaeddeok is cut when it is dried a little and added into the boiling soup. Some slices of fried eggs, young onions and seaweed slices are added into the soup. Then cooking Ddeokgook is done.

In korea eating a bowl of rice cake soup on Seol can make people get one year older. This is a long tradition and regarded as a blessing to them. Korean people enjoy steamed Galbee, korean noodles, fries, fried vegetables, and Sikhye on Seol.

Koreans have another special thing to do on Seol. That is called Sebae, bowing deeply to their elders. Sebae is doing a bow deeply to the elders on the first day of new year. Younger people say to their elders "A happy new year" bowing deeply in Hanbok, korea traditional clothing.

Elders say some words of blessing in return for getting a bow from younger generation. Words of blessing contain mostly wish of healthiness and happiness for family members. Elders give some money as an allowance.

On Seol there will be supplied places for playing traditional games like flying kites, kicking a shuttlecock, playing the archery, playing Yut and seasawing. These are most favorite games for children and games of memory to make adults return to their childhood.

I wish you enjoy a happy time and have a happy new year with your family.