chuseok in Korea is a major national holiday of abundance and gratitude

Hello!
Chuseok is Korea's representative traditional holiday, corresponding to the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, and is also called 'Hangawi' as it comes in autumn when grains and fruits are most abundant.

Koreans visit their hometowns to spend time with family during Chuseok, give thanks for the year's harvest, and perform ancestral rites.

1. What kind of day is Chuseok?

Chuseok is not just a day off, but a special day where you can deeply feel the traditions and culture of Korea. Families gather to make songpyeon, set up a charye table, and express their gratitude to their ancestors. In particular, the round full moon that rises on the night of Chuseok symbolizes abundance and good fortune, and people make wishes. During the Chuseok holiday, you can see the warm scenery of the whole family gathering, sharing delicious food, chatting, and asking about each other's well-being.

2. Special foods enjoyed during Chuseok

What cannot be left out when talking about Chuseok is Songpyeon. Songpyeon, made with dough made from new rice and filled with sesame seeds, beans, chestnuts, etc., is the representative food of Chuseok. There is also a fun superstition that if you make songpyeon beautifully, you will give birth to a beautiful daughter. In addition, a variety of elaborately made jeon (pumpkin jeon, pollack jeon, yukjeon), galbijjim, japchae, and other generous dishes are served on the table.

3. Traditional games played during Chuseok

During Chuseok, there are traditional games that the whole family enjoys together.

• Ganggangsullae: A game where women hold hands and dance in a circle to the music.

• Ssireum: A traditional Korean sport where two men grab each other's satba and compete in strength and skill.

• Yutnori: A game where you move your pieces according to the results of throwing four yut sticks and the team that arrives at the destination first wins.

These games play an important role in strengthening the bond between family members, beyond simple entertainment.

Korea Community.