New Year in Korea
New year in Korea is a time for family reunion. New year is an important festival in Korea and is an official holiday for Korean people on which they try their best to make it one of the best holidays of the year. New year in Korea is known as seollal and is the first day of the lunar calendar. New year is celebrated on January 1 and the solar new year's day also arrives on January 1.
Therefore, in Korea, it is a time for double fun and entertainment. According to the rich Korean traditions and rituals, people clean their houses and light up with colorful candles to make their home look more beautiful and fresh. Lights of all the rooms of the house are kept on and nobody should sleep on the new year night otherwise the eyebrows would turn white according to the Korean belief.
People in Korea believe that practicing this tradition is a special way to welcome a bright and lucky new year. On this day, all Koreans dress up in a colorful way to greet the new year with new and fresh colors. Apart from dressing up in new dresses and decorating houses with beautiful lightnings, traditional food of korea is also an intrinsic part of the celebration. The traditional food of korea at the time of new year is known as Tteokguk which is a soup with rice cakes.
Many Koreans believe that the first ray of the sun at the beginning of the year is a source of blessing and good luck for the family and its members. Therefore, koreans with their families travel to the Gangneung and Donghae in gangwon province located at the east coast.
New Years Eve in Korea
New years eve in korea not only is one of the perfect occasion to explore out the traditions and cultural side of the city but it is also one of the best excuse to celebrate and enjoy family reunion. While many Koreans celebrate new year on January 1 but solar new year is also celebrated on the same day according to the lunar calendar.
New year is a time when the Koreans like to spend quality time with their family and focus on their children and enjoy leisure time with them. Children kneel and bow towards their ancestors and elders to seek blessings for their future. On the other hand, family members wish each other prosperity and good fortune, they exchange gifts and celebrate the day with a private party at their home.