Korean and Chinese Festivals

rowspan="2">China face="Arial, Helvetica">Korea Helvetica">"Big Moon Day" ("Dae Boreum Nal" in the new year. I don't

1. Burning of something (I forget what) and the ashes are spread out all over the fields (Korea was mainly an agrarian society in the past); The farmers in Korea still practice that custom.

2. On the evening, around dusk, the family will climb the nearby mountain (foothill) and the first person to see the full moon is said to have good luck. (70% or more of Korea is mountainous, so... well you know...).

Date	Country		Festival / Holiday Description
January 1	China	Korea	New Year's Day (by Roman/Gregorian Calendar) It is celebrated much like in the West, but add some fireworks! In Seoul, Korea, there is a tradition of ringing a bell (@ Jong Gak) on the moment that the New Year arrives. It is said that if lovers hear the bell, they will never fall out of love, and they will be together forever.
First day of First month of Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurred on Feb. 18, 2007 by Gregorian Solar Calendar Will occur on Feb. 7, 2008 by Gregorian Solar Calendar	China		"Spring Festival" (Chun¹ Jie²) Why it is called "Spring Festival" is somewhat of a mystery. I've been trying to get to the bottom of this mystery for nearly a year now, and I get various answers. Some of them (combine with my own thoughts) are: 1. Perhaps many millennia ago, perhaps before leap year was discovered, the first day of the Chinese Calendar was closer to spring time. 2. According to Chinese legend, there used to be a huge monster (looking much like a Komodo Dragon), which would come down out of the mountains (around the time just preceding what is now known as the New Year) and terrorize (and even kill many people for food). The people discovered that the monster was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, which explains why Chinese do fireworks and cover their doors with red paper at the New Year. But, this legend does not explain why it is called Spring Festival. 3. Spring Festival occurs almost exactly in the middle, between the winter solstice (Dec.21) and the spring equinox (March 21). Therefore, it is the opinion of this author that Spring Festival herald's the coming of Spring. Traditional Food: Jiao Zi (meat and/or vegetables wrapped in noodles) good link
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First day of the Chinese Lunar calendar Occurred on Feb.18, 2007 by Gregorian Solar Calendar Will occur on Feb. 7, 2008 by Gregorian Solar Calendar	Korea		Koreans call it: "Seol Nal". According to some, the word "Seol" (설) is an abbreviation of: "Sae-hae-eui Cheot Nal" (새해의 첫날), which means: New Year's First Day. HOWEVER, if that is true, why add the word "Day". Seems a bit redundant, doesn't it? My educated guess is that "Seol" means "washing". I can make a case for this: "Seol-geo-ji" means "washing the dishes"; So, perhaps "Seol Nal" means "washing day". It would make perfect sense, because both the Chinese and Koreans wash EVERYTHING either on or in preparation for Chinese New Year's Day. Traditions are similar to those of China, but the color red doesn't seem to be important in Korea and the traditional food for that day is "ddeok" (an edible dough made of ground rice and warm water), and "ddeok guk" (a soup made of the same). Furthermore, the Koreans have no legend But, they should. Maybe they've just forgotten it. Evidently, (from my research), the legend associated with the Chinese Spring Festival comes from Manchuria (which doesn't exist any more, but was located just north of NORTH KOREA). In fact, there still are tales to this very day of sightings of dragon-like creatures living in the lake on top of an extinct volcano which is on the border between North Korea and China. One Chinese man (who is still alive) came face to face with the creature, but (perhaps by remembering the childhood stories) he scared it away by making very loud noises. How the Chinese could have this legend and not the Koreans is beyond me.
This is the first full moon of know much about Chinese traditions on this day, but in Korea the following traditions occur: like the one in China. told reporters about how he Helvetica"> height="50">
The 15th day of the 1st month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurred
February 14	China	Korea	Both Countries have adopted "Valentine's Day" or "Lover's Day" as their own.
March 1	Korea		"Demonstration Day" This marks the day when the Korean people (as a whole) marched to demonstrate against the occupation of their country by the Japanese (and consequently the initiation of war, which ended with the Japanese leaving).
March 8	China	Korea	International Women's Day (much more important in China than Korea)
March 14	Korea		"White Day" To my knowledge, White Day is only celebrated in Korea and Japan. I believe the idea was started in Japan by merchants in order to sell more candy. The idea is that on Feb. 14, a woman is to give the object of her affection some chocolate; And, on March 14, a man is to give the object of his affection candy. I have no idea why it is called "White Day".
April 1	China	Korea	Both Countries have adopted "April Fools' Day" as their own. [Beware!]
April 5	Korea		Arbor Day / "Tree-planting Day"
April 14	Korea		"Black Day" This is the day for the men who received no chocolate (on Feb. 14) and the women who received no candy (on March 14). It is traditional to eat Jja Jang Myeong on this day. Jja Jang Myeon is a dish consisting of noodles and black sauce. For more information on Korean Food, see my Korean Food page.
May 1	China	Korea	"International Labor Day" Also known as "May Day" In Korea, teachers and most "white-collar" professionals are NOT considered "laborers", so they don't get the day off. In China, (like America) everyone is considered a laborer, so everyone gets the day off. But, it is perhaps the biggest shopping day of the year, so merchants won't take the day off.
8th day of 4th month by Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs on May 12, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	Korea		"Buddha's Birthday" This is a national holiday in Korea, as 30% of the population is Buddhist.
May 5, 8, 15	Korea		I can't remember which is which, but I think: 5th = children's day (day off) 8th = parents' day (not a day off, unless it is on Sunday) 15th = teachers' day (not a day off, unless it is on Sunday)
5 / 5 The 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs June 8, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	China	Korea	In China , it is known as "Dragon Boat Festival". Traditional foods are: hard-boiled eggs and "zhong⁴ zi" (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves). Little trinkets are made and given as gifts, each having five colors. In Korea , it is called, "Dan-o." /dahn-oh/ Traditional food is "o-gok bab" /oh-gohk-bahp/, (which means: five grain meal). For more info on DAN-O, click here. I suspect that the number 5 is representative of the Chinese Dragon, which had the appearance of five animals: head of a camel, antlers of a deer, body of a snake, leg and talons of an eagle, and scales of a fish. The Chinese dragon also had 5 claws and 5 colors.
June 1	China		"Children's Day" (Not a day off in China)
7 / 7 The 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs August 7, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	China	Korea	In China, it's called: "Qi³ Qiao³ Jie²" ("Beg [for] Skills Day"); In Korea, it's called, "Chil-Seok" (Seventh Evening) A story is told in both countries about how the daughter of this one god and the son of another god were forbidden to meet and play with each other, because they were supposed to study. But, they disregarded their parents' commands and secretly met and played in amorous bliss, until they were caught red-handed. Their parents were so angry that an eternal curse was place upon the two lovers, that they should be frozen in the sky and never be allowed to meet each other again for all eternity. But there was a raven that took pity on the two lovers and each year on the 7th day of the 7th month the raven comes to "bridge the gap" between the two lovers. There are two constellations in the sky, one representing the daughter and one representing the son. Each year at this time, they can be seen in the sky, almost touching. Traditionally, on that day, women "studied" to be good homemakers, and "begged" or "prayed" for good skills in order to attract a good marriage partner. But, nowadays, it is just another day, nothing special. For more info on Chil-Seok, click here. (But, be aware that many Koreans erroneously call the seventh month of the lunar calendar "July").
	China		On 08/08/08 at 08:08:08pm, On the eighth day, of the eighth month, of the eighth year, at precisely eight o eight o eight pm, the BeiJing Olympic Games will begin. Why 8? Why was this particular date & time chosen? What is the significance of the number 8 in CHiNA? Well, if you are not familiar with Chinese numerology, then you would think that is just 'cool' to have three 8s; But, to those who are familiar with Chinese numerology, the date bears interesting significance. In China, the number 8 is associated with a FORTUITOUS BIRTH. Once one knows that, it is obvious that the date signifies a BIRTH of a new CHINA, both politically, and economically (but perhaps moreso, economically). While CHINA is democratic in that it has local, provincial, and national elections, and while CHINA is no longer communist, because privatization of the workforce is to the point now that many other countries have officially recognized CHINA as having a FREE MARKET ECONOMY, it is true that there is NO FREE SPEECH in CHINA. My only gripe with CHINA is: It is too bad that there is no free speech in CHINA (as we can see in Tibet). Learn more about NUMEROLOGY.
August 15	Korea		"Independence Day" or "Liberation Day" (Koreans seem to prefer "liberation day" over "independence day").
The 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs on Sept. 14, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	China		"Mid-Autumn Festival" (Zhong¹Qiu¹Jie²) This is a time to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to one's ancestors. It is the first full moon after the harvest begins. Traditions include: 1. A special feast with family and relatives, the main food being "Moon Cakes" (cakes made into the shape of the full moon and filled with sweet red beans). Photo Link Photo Link2 2. Giving food to the ancestors (at their grave sites). 3. Burning money (so that their deceased loved-ones can have money in the after-life). Nowadays, one can see people all over the countryside burning imitation money at this time of year.
The 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs on Sept. 14, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	Korea		*"Harvest Evening" (Chu Seok)* This is, likewise, a time to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to one's ancestors. Traditions include: 1. A huge exodus back to one's hometown, or wherever the senior patriarch lives. 2. A huge feast, the traditional food being the same as on Seol Nal. (However the kind of ddeok eaten on this day differs. Don't ask me which one... there are tons of kinds of ddeok). Photo Link 3. Giving food to one's ancestors (at the grave sites). [but this is rarely done these days, especially if one is a Christian, as it is believed that the ancestors don't need the food in their after-life]. {If I can put in my two cents (and I can, because this is my website), I think Koreans should continue the practice (Christian or not), simply to preserve tradition.}.
September 10	China		"Teachers' Day" (not a day off, I mean how are the teachers supposed to get their gifts if they don't go to work?)
October 1	China		"National Day" The day that the Communist Party took control of China, the end of imperial reign and the beginning of democracy in China.
October 3	Korea		"Gae Cheon Jeol" (literally "Open Sky Day") When Koreans translate it into English, they prefer to call it "Foundation Day", but I prefer to call it what it is: "Open Sky Day". It is the day that the legendary Dan Gun descended from the Hahn country (Han-eul), and from the original Hahn people (Han-saram) and founded the New Hahn nation (Han nara). Traditionally, people climbed to the top of the nearest, highest mountain, early in the morning at gave offerings and prayed to Dan Gun, the founding father of the Korean people. Some people still do this, but it is more out of tradition, than real belief in the continued existence and benefaction of Dan Gun. One place where this is STILL practiced is on Mani San (Mt. Ma-ri) on the isle of GangHwa, which is off the coast of Incheon Metropolitan District. I have witnessed the ritual, and it is fascinating. I would recommend it to anyone. Photo Link For more information on the origins of the Korean people, see my Korean Origins page.
9 / 9 The 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar Occurs October 7, 2008 by Gregorian Calendar	China	Korea	"Double Nines Day" (Zhong⁴ Yang² Jie²) or more accurately: "Double Yang Festival Day". Nowadays in CHiNA and KoRea, this day has lost its significance, and what I mean by that is that few people know of its significance and even fewer celebrate it. But, to me, the history of this day is quite interesting. And, by learning this, you may know more than your Chinese or Korean counterparts. The 'double yang' day was traditionally celebrated by drinking Chrysanthemum Wine & mountain climbing/hiking (not necessarily in that order). There are many myths or stories about the health benefits of the Chrysanthemum, and that is why it was traditionally drunk on this sweet day. Climbing/Hiking was considered (and still is by some) the most healthy activity one could do. Links: Chinese Double Ninth Festival China/Korea/Japan Traditions on 99day "Yellow or white chrysanthemum flowers are boiled to make a sweet drink in some parts of Asia. The resulting beverage is known simply as "chrysanthemum tea" (菊花茶, pinyin: júhuā chá, in Chinese). Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses, including an aid in recovery from influenza. In Korea, a rice wine flavored with chrysanthemum flowers is called gukhwaju (국화주)." {from Wikipedia} Chrysanthemum Wine on Double Nine
December 25	Korea		"Christmas" This is a national holiday in Korea, as 30% of the population is Christian (and I guess they figured that they needed to give equal time to both Joshua bar Joseph ben David of Nazareth and Siddartha Gautama.
December 31	China	Korea	New Years Eve It is celebrated much as it is in the West, but in Korea, people almost always have a "mak nyeon hoe" (year-end party), also called a "mang nyeon hoe" (year-forgetting party), the goal of which is to get drunk and forget about the past and look forward to a bright future. Koreans say "happy new year" this way: "Sae hae bok manhi baduseyo." (It means: New year happiness plentily receive, please). See my Korean Lessons page for pronunciation guide. In China, all debts are to be settle at this time and one is supposed to look forward to a new year, debt-free, and hopefully a prosperous one. Chinese say "happy new year" this way: "Xin Nian Quai Le" (It means: New year be happy). See my Chinese Lessons page for pronunciation guide.