[Journal]Seollal, Korea’s Luna New year(1)

The upcoming 14th(It’s interesting to have Seollal on Valentine’s Day!) is one of Korea’s Annual Holidays, Seollal.

There are two most important holidays in Korea. Seollal and Chuseok. Seollal(설날) is the New Year’s Day and Chuseok(추석) is August 15th(the time when we have the biggest moon of the year) in the Lunar Calendar.

Although Chuseok is usually considered as the biggest holiday, Seollal is second to none  in its importance: In both holidays, many people visit their parents, despite the distance. In Seollal, people have ‘get-together’ in a quite big family units. They meet  many relatives, uncles, aunts, cousins and so on: exchange gifts, talk together, play games…

A week before Seollal may be the start of people getting busy buying foods, presents, and other necessary things needed in celebrating the new start of the Lunar year. This is when all stores, markets and other shops start to get busy.

I visited ‘Lotte Mart’ in Jamsil, since this place was the closest big market for me to go by subway. The first floor, where it sells foods, daily necessaries, etc, was full of people shopping for all kinds of things.

Among them, I only took pictures of people selling Seollal related objects.

The most significant point in Korea’s holidays like Seollal or Chuseok is that, you can see present sets. Usually fruits, tolietries(shampoo set, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, soup…)…the kinds vary.

▲Look, clerks are wearing Hanbok(Korea’s traditional clothes). I believe this kind of culture(?)is unique in the world, haha:D

I will post up ‘Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year(2)’ after Feb. 15th. My family also visit grandparents’ this Saturday. It would be interesting to see Korea’s peculiar and unique culture of Seollal!!!

For people who are staying in Seoul, or who do not go far away from their homes, do not worry. All public transportations are available all the time, so you can go to many areas around: Since Seoul will be ‘emptier’ than before, no need to worry for traffic jams within here.

Visit Palaces such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, or Hanok villages like Namsangol Hanok Village(look for Namsan Hanok Village in my blog) during Feb. 13th~Feb. 15th. There will be various kinds of Korean traditional games available for every visitors.

Have a nice time during Seollal break!!!!!!

＼^___^/

 

From,

XiahJ.

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