Celebrating 설날 (Seollal): Understanding the Korean New Year Tradition

설날 (Seollal), also known as Korean New Year, is a time for families to come together, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the new one. The holiday is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, usually in late January or early February.

During 설날 (Seollal), traditional activities include bowing to one's elders, playing games, and savoring traditional foods like rice cakes and dumplings. One of the most traditional dishes consumed during 설날 (Seollal) is Tteokguk (떡국), a sliced rice cake soup. It is believed that eating this soup signifies aging by a year. Another crucial aspect of the holiday is the honoring of ancestors through ancestral rites, which include visiting and making offerings at the family shrine.

설날 is also a time for new beginnings. Many people take the opportunity to clean their houses, wear new clothes, and make resolutions for the coming year. It is also a time for forgiveness and reconciliation with loved ones.

At ästrid studio, we want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. May the coming year bring joy, prosperity and good health to you and your loved ones. We also hope that this post has helped to give you a better understanding of 설날 and the rich tradition behind it.