Korean happy lunar new year 2025

Lunar New Year, known as Seollal (설날) in Korea, is one of the most significant holidays in Korean culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, ancestral rites, traditional games, and delicious food. In 2025, Seollal falls on January 29, marking the Year of the Snake (사) in the Chinese zodiac.

Seollal is more than just a New Year’s celebration—it is a deeply cultural and spiritual event where Koreans pay respect to their ancestors, spend quality time with their families, and embrace the hope of a prosperous and happy year ahead.

The Importance of Seollal in Korean Culture

Seollal is not just a one-day event but a three-day holiday in Korea, including the day before and the day after the actual New Year. Many people travel long distances to visit their hometowns, making this period one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

Unlike the Gregorian New Year (January 1), which is celebrated with fireworks and parties, Seollal focuses on family and tradition. It is a time to honor ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and reflect on the past year while welcoming new blessings.

Traditional Customs and Activities of Seollal

1. Charye (차례) – Ancestral Memorial Rites

One of the most important aspects of Seollal is Charye, an ancestral memorial rite where families honor their ancestors with a ceremonial table filled with food offerings. The table typically includes:

• Rice Cake Soup (떡국, Tteokguk) – Symbolizing the start of a new year and aging by one year.
• Steamed Meat and Fish – Representing respect and gratitude to ancestors.
• Fruits and Vegetables – Offered as symbols of prosperity and health.

After the ancestral rites, family members bow deeply in front of the table as a sign of respect, expressing gratitude and asking for blessings in the new year.

2. Sebae (세배) – New Year’s Bow and Blessings

After Charye, younger family members perform Sebae (세배), a deep traditional bow, to their elders as a sign of respect. In return, the elders offer New Year’s blessings and Sebaetdon (세뱃돈), or New Year’s money, in a silk pouch. This custom strengthens family ties and allows younger generations to receive wisdom and well wishes.

Common New Year’s greetings include:

• “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” (새해 복 많이 받으세요) – “Wishing you lots of luck in the New Year!”
• “Saehae haengun gadeukhasipsio” (새해 행운 가득하십시오) – “May your new year be filled with fortune!”

3. Eating Tteokguk (떡국) – The New Year’s Soup

A traditional and essential Seollal dish is Tteokguk, a warm soup made with sliced rice cakes, beef, eggs, and seaweed. Eating this soup is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Koreans also say that consuming a bowl of Tteokguk means you have grown one year older, following a unique Korean age-counting tradition.

4. Playing Traditional Korean Games

Seollal is a time for families to bond, and one way to do this is through traditional Korean games such as:

• Yutnori (윷놀이) – A board game played with four wooden sticks, often enjoyed by families during Seollal.
• Jegichagi (제기차기) – A Korean version of hacky sack, where players try to keep a small feathered shuttlecock in the air using their feet.
• Gonggi (공기) – A Korean game similar to jacks, played with small stones or plastic beads.

These games bring joy and laughter, making the holiday even more enjoyable.

Seollal Foods: A Feast for the New Year

Apart from Tteokguk, Seollal is also known for its variety of delicious and symbolic foods, including:

• Jeon (전) – Korean pancakes made with seafood, meat, or vegetables, often eaten with soy sauce.
• Japchae (잡채) – Stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and beef, symbolizing longevity and prosperity.
• Galbijjim (갈비찜) – Braised short ribs, a luxurious and festive dish enjoyed during special occasions.
• Sikhye (식혜) – A traditional sweet rice punch that helps with digestion after a big meal.

These dishes are carefully prepared and shared with loved ones, reinforcing the importance of togetherness and gratitude.

Korean Lunar New Year Superstitions and Taboos

Like many cultures, Koreans observe certain superstitions and taboos during Seollal to ensure good fortune:

1. Avoid Sweeping or Taking Out the Trash

It is believed that sweeping or throwing away garbage on New Year’s Day will sweep away good luck from the household.

2. Do Not Wear Black or White

Since black and white are associated with mourning, wearing these colors during Seollal is considered inauspicious. Bright colors, especially red and gold, are preferred.

3. Avoid Cutting Your Hair

Cutting hair during the New Year is thought to cut away good luck and fortune, so many people avoid getting haircuts before or during Seollal.

4. No Arguing or Negative Words

It is important to start the new year with a positive mindset, so arguing or using negative words related to death, illness, or bad luck is discouraged.

Modern Celebrations of Seollal in Korea

While traditional customs remain strong, modern Seollal celebrations have adapted to contemporary lifestyles. Many Koreans now:

• Take trips abroad instead of visiting hometowns.
• Give digital cash gifts instead of physical envelopes.
• Celebrate virtually through video calls with family members.

Despite these changes, the heart of Seollal remains the same—cherishing family, honoring ancestors, and welcoming the new year with hope and happiness.