Celebrating Sol-nal,

the lunar New Year

It says above: "say hay boke-mahn he pah du say oh".

"Please receive many New year's blessings"

Like many other Asian countries, Korea has two different New Year's days according to solar and lunar calendars. The more widely preferred one is the lunar New Year's day, called Sol-nal. Sol-nal is a day for the whole family's reunion and for refreshing everyone's common life at the very beginning of a year. The day has many special meanings and events.

On Sol-nal's Eve, people prepare Bok-jori (made with straw) and hang them outdoors to protect their family from evil and bad luck. Often, kids try to keep awake all that night because they believe that if they sleep, their eyebrows will turn white.

wearing a Sol-bim
isn't she adorable? :o)

On the morning of Sol-nal, everyone dresses in specially prepared, traditional clothes (usually brand new) called Sol-bim. Generally, these clothes are decorated with five colors. Every family gathers at their eldest male member's home to perform Cha-rye(meal ceremony), ancestral memorial rites. They offer food for their ancestors because they believe that the deceased ancestors must be well nourished so they have enough energy to give many blessings to their descendants

After the big, very special breakfast, the younger people bow to the their elders, wishing them health and long life, good luck, and prosperity through the whole year. At the end of the day, friends and relatives join together for dinner to renew their friendship. Sol is a celebration of family and good friends.

Happy lunar New Year!! :o)