Comparing Lunar New Year Customs in North and South Korea
Comparing Lunar New Year Customs in North and South Korea
Description: Discover the surprising differences in how North and South Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year. From ancestral rites to food, this cultural comparison unveils political and historical layers behind modern traditions.
1. The Historical Roots of Korean Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, known as Seollal in Korea, traces back over a thousand years. Rooted in Confucian values and agrarian calendars, both North and South Korea have preserved the tradition through political upheavals. However, their historical trajectories since the Korean War have dramatically altered how Seollal is observed.
South Korea reinstated Seollal as a national holiday in 1989 after a brief period of decline during modernization. Meanwhile, North Korea, under Kim Il-sung's regime, emphasized the solar New Year and reduced emphasis on Seollal until it saw a partial revival in the 2000s.
Imagine trying to honor your ancestors while navigating ideological doctrines—this is the daily reality for many North Koreans during Seollal.
2. Charye and Rituals: Ancestor Worship and Its Variations
In South Korea, one of the most sacred Seollal rituals is Charye, a memorial ceremony held at home in front of an elaborately prepared table of food offerings. Families wear traditional Hanbok and bow deeply to honor ancestors.
North Korea’s version of ancestral rites is more subdued and often replaced or regulated by political homage. While some families in private still practice forms of Charye, they often do so discreetly to avoid clashing with the state's secular ideals.
Interestingly, defector testimonies reveal that many North Koreans still value traditional ceremonies, even if practiced in modified or hidden forms—proving that culture often resists political erasure.
3. Food and Festive Tables: Tteokguk vs. Revolutionary Cuisine
A bowl of tteokguk (rice cake soup) symbolizes aging one year and is a must-have dish in South Korean households during Seollal. The meal is often accompanied by jeon (pancakes), galbi (short ribs), and plenty of fruits and desserts.
North Korea, constrained by economic hardships, focuses on simpler dishes. Meat may be scarce, and holiday food might include steamed cornmeal cakes, kimchi, or "revolutionary dishes" tied to state narratives. Celebratory meals are still significant but more about survival than symbolism.
It’s a stark contrast—one table layered with abundance and another with resilience, yet both representing hope for the coming year.
4. Gifts, Greetings, and Social Norms
In South Korea, Seollal is a time for gift exchanges—often high-end fruit boxes, health supplements, or department store vouchers. Elders are greeted with formal bows, and children receive money known as sebaetdon.
North Koreans exchange much simpler gifts, often homemade, due to limited access to consumer goods. Gifts may include necessities like soap, socks, or even small rations of rice or oil. However, public displays of reverence are often directed more toward the ruling family than one's own.
Honestly, who among us hasn’t been a bit awkward during formal family greetings? Multiply that feeling by ideological tension, and you get a glimpse into a Northern Seollal.
5. State Influence: How Regimes Shape Celebrations
South Korea encourages personal and familial expression during Seollal. While there's a growing commercialization, the government largely refrains from prescribing how people celebrate.
In contrast, North Korea intertwines Seollal with state ideology. Television broadcasts focus on paying tribute to the Kim family, and public events often include performances celebrating socialist values. Personal traditions are tolerated but secondary.
This contrast highlights how political regimes mold even the most intimate cultural practices—what you eat, say, and gift are all potential political statements.
6. Reunification Hopes Reflected in Family Traditions
Despite the stark differences, both Koreas hold onto one common thread—family. Separated families still long for reunion, and Seollal becomes a time of remembrance and longing for those lost across the border.
Some South Korean families prepare extra dishes during Charye for family members in the North, symbolizing connection. North Korean defectors in the South also create hybrid traditions, blending memories with new freedoms.
In a sense, every Seollal is a quiet vote for peace, echoing in kitchens, living rooms, and ancestral altars on both sides of the 38th parallel.
What is the main difference between North and South Korea's Seollal customs?
The main difference lies in the level of freedom and resources. South Koreans celebrate with elaborate family gatherings and rituals, while North Koreans often observe simpler, state-regulated customs with limited materials.
Do North Koreans practice ancestor worship like Charye?
Not officially. Ancestor worship is discouraged in favor of loyalty to the ruling Kim family. However, many still practice modified forms of Charye in private homes to maintain cultural continuity.
Is tteokguk eaten in North Korea during Seollal?
Tteokguk is not common in North Korea due to rice shortages. When available, it may be prepared, but simpler alternatives like steamed grains or noodles are more typical.
Are there any shared traditions between the two Koreas?
Yes. Both celebrate the turning of the lunar year with family, food, and rest. The essence of togetherness and respect for elders remains common, despite differing expressions.
Do North and South Koreans want Seollal reunions with family across the border?
Absolutely. Many families remain separated by the DMZ. Seollal amplifies their longing, and some South Koreans set an extra table place symbolically for relatives in the North.
