This annual celebration is all about insuring both a happy afterlife for ancestors and ones own longevity. On Seollal morning, the family, dressed in their spanking new hanbok (traditional garb), begins the ancestral rites, or jesa (제사). Along with the ancestral tablet, dishes of ritual food like tteokguk, galbijim, japchae, hangwa and savory pancakes adorn the table. Many Koreans believe if the food isnt both a treat for the mouth and the eyes, the ancestors wont be satisfied; so all Seollal specialties are made with extreme care.
After the family completes a series of deep bows to greet the ancestor spirits, prayers and scrumptious bites are offered to the dearly departed. Then the family bids the spirits farewell for another year and promptly tackles the feast.
Second only to food is the exchange of Seollal gifts between family and friends. Back in the day, it was common to give and receive traditional treats like ginseng, honey, dried fish or fruits. These days, however, Spam gift sets (yes, you read that correctly), massage chairs, department store gift cards and cash top most Koreans wish lists.
Children in particular love this next bit. After the mountain of food has been cleared, children pay their respects to the older generations with deep bows and small gifts, an act called sebae (세배). If their bows are satisfactory, the kiddos are rewarded with a little pocket money. The rest of the day is all about relaxing, enjoying each others company, playing traditional games, and, of course, more food.
Despite the commercialization, Seollal is a great time to spot a number of Korean traditions in action. For one, its highly likely youll see families out and about in full traditional hanbok. These beautiful bell-shaped gowns and jacketed suits are purchased just for the occasion and can range from simple and classic to sassy and modern. Its also common for families to visit parks, temples, palaces and other significant historical sites, play traditional outdoor games, and even catch movies and shows.
However, a word to the wise Seollal is hell on travelers. The roads are congested; the trains are overflowing and the buses, well, good luck.
If you have Korean roots or an adopted Korean family, definitely try to join the traditional festivities. For non-Koreans looking to get in on the Seollal celebration, Seouls parks and palaces are a great place to start.
Beautiful Namsangol Hanok Village generally offers calligraphy and kite making classes, as well as sample ancestor-worship ceremonies; while massive Gyeongbukgung Palace and adjoining National Folk Museum of Korea will keep you busy for hours with folk music, arts and crafts workshops and samples of Seollal specialties. If thats not enough, head over to Jongmyo Shrine or Unhyeongung Palace for traditional plays and a charye exhibit. Have a happy lunar New Year!
In japan
New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together.
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Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the purpose of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind.
Homes and entrance gates are decorated with ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum trees, and clothes and houses are cleaned.
On New Year's eve, toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), symbolizing longevity, are served. A more recent custom is watching the music show "kohaku uta gassen", a highly popular television program featuring many of Japan's most famous J-pop and enka singers in spectacular performances.
January 1 is a very auspicious day, best started by viewing the new year's first sunrise (hatsu-hinode), and traditionally believed to be representative for the whole year that has just commenced. Therefore, the day is supposed be full of joy and free of stress and anger, while everything should be clean and no work should be done.
It is a tradition to visit a shrine or temple during shogatsu (hatsumode). The most popular temples and shrines, such as Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, attract several million people during the three days. Most impressive are such visits at the actual turn of the year, when large temple bells are rung at midnight.
Various kinds of special dishes are served during shogatsu. They include osechi ryori, otoso (sweetened rice wine) and ozoni (a soup with mochi).
Osechi Ryori
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Toshikoshi Soba
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There are also a few games traditionally played on New Year, however, their popularity has decreased in recent times. Hanetsuki (Japanese badminton), takoage (kite flying), and karuta (a card game) are some of them.
A very popular custom is the sending of New Year's cards, which are specially marked to be delivered on January 1. It is not uncommon for one person to send out several dozens of cards to friends, relatives and co-workers.
Visiting Japan during the New Year's holidays can be both rewarding and frustrating. Elsewhere on the site is a page summarizing the pros and cons of visiting Japan during New Year.
Conclusion
New Year is the most long-awaited () holiday. Many people associate it with magic and gifts. First of all it is surrounded by the wonderful smell of tangerines and Christmas trees, which helps to create a festive mood ( ). People of all ages truly () believe that in New Year their goals () and wishes will come true.
New Year is an international holiday, but in every country it is celebrated in many different ways ( ) and each family has their own traditions. For example, in Australia, people celebrate the New Year on the beach or go on picnics with friends. In Italy, the New Year begins on January 6. Here people believe in the good fairy Befana, who gives stars and gifts for everyone. In Israel, people at on the New Year eat only sweets and avoid bitter () food. In Spain on this day there is a tradition to swallow () one grape () for every time the bell chimes ( ) and make a wish.
On New Year my family and I decorate the house and the Christmas tree and give each other gifts, wishing success () in the New Year.
New Years Eve is my favorite holiday and I always look forward ( ) to it.
