A Korean wedding is not only an interesting tradition that has its roots far back in history, but also a union of two families, as well as a ritual that must be present in the lives of all young people in Korea. Those who have not started a family before the age of 30 are considered strange, and all the relatives and friends of this person will do everything to try to arrange his personal life as quickly as possible - they will try to marry the girl to a Korean, and marry the young man. Often, in search of their soulmate, young people resort to the help of qualified matchmakers who are confident that when choosing a partner for life, you should not be guided only by feelings, since in this case you see only positive qualities in a person and it is quite possible to make a mistake and make the wrong choice.

Times are changing and the traditions according to which young people could not influence the choice of their life partner and knew nothing about him until the wedding ceremony have long since sunk into oblivion. Today, marriages are built on love, but despite this, one tradition remains, which continues to be followed to this day. The fact is that marriage cannot be concluded between young people with the same origin or pon. Pon is a family name inherited through the male line. For example, the surname Kim is the pon Kimyatinga. One surname can have more than a dozen pons, which can become a reason for refusing marriage.

Dating Korean newlyweds

Although today an agreement about the upcoming wedding does not happen behind the backs of the newlyweds, parents play a significant role in their fate. They make sure to find out all the information about the bride or groom and only after that give their blessing for the Korean wedding.

The fate of the young people is decided at a meeting called “Sogethin”. It takes place on neutral territory, which is often a restaurant. It is there that the parents of the young people meet and their acquaintance occurs. Often at such meetings, pre-prepared medical certificates are exchanged indicating the state of health of the young people. This is due to the fact that Koreans place great emphasis on the health of their future offspring. And after this, the girl’s parents decide whether she will marry a Korean or remain a girl.

Matchmaking of a Korean bride

After a successful acquaintance, the groom can send matchmakers to the bride. The groom's father, uncles and accompanying persons act as matchmakers. The main thing is that their number must be odd, which is very important for Koreans. The attendants are called "wushi" and the main requirement for them is the ability to sing, joke and dance. Relatives of a young person, as well as divorced people, who can bring misfortune to a future young family, cannot be included in the number of “wushi”.
Matchmakers, who are considered very honorable, go to the bride’s house, where all the nuances of the upcoming wedding celebration, as well as the future life of the newlyweds, are discussed.

Traditions of mini-wedding "chenchi" in Korea

At the request of the bride's relatives, the groom's side organizes a mini-wedding "chenchi", or, in simpler terms, a bride's party, which is a kind of test for the groom. One can only sympathize with the future spouse, since at this mini-wedding everyone present will constantly make fun of him and ask many tricky questions.
The groom's relatives, in turn, must generously gift the bride, preparing in advance for this purpose pieces of beautiful material, watches, scarves and other things. Most often, gifts are targeted and each of the groom’s relatives must present his own gift to the bride.

The bride's side should respond with gratitude to the mini-celebration the next day. To do this, the bride must give gifts to all those who previously presented her with their gifts.

Wedding ceremonies in Korea

Before the start of the wedding celebration, a certain thanksgiving ceremony takes place in the groom’s house, during which, after the entire groom’s family has tasted the food at the festive table, the groom kneels down, folds his palms, bows and says words of gratitude to his parents.

After this, accompanied by “usi”, the groom goes to the bride’s house to go through the tradition of her ransom, which for some reason many consider to be primordially Russian. In fact, the custom of ransom has existed in Korea for a long time.

The first to meet the groom are the brothers, sisters and girlfriends of the bride, who will definitely be presented with gifts, and those who are younger - with sweets. Only after this will the groom be able to enter the house and freely reach the bride’s room, where he will have to pay a more serious ransom for the opportunity to see his chosen one. The size of the ransom directly depends on the skills of the “usi”; if he has eloquence and can praise the groom, then he may well be allowed to go to the bride for free.

There is another way to compete for the bride. To do this, the groom can enter into a playful fight with his beloved’s older brother. It looks quite fun, and a positive attitude from this action is guaranteed to everyone around.

After the groom is finally reunited with the bride, everyone sits down at the table, at which the newlyweds have a place of honor. Parents give useful instructions to the bride, advising her to obey her husband in everything and to be a good housewife and wife. Next comes the process of transferring the bride's dowry to the groom. By the way, until this moment he is strictly forbidden to touch it.

It's time to go to the groom's house, at the entrance to which a bag of rice is prepared, which is considered the main breadwinner in Korea. Stepping over the bag, the bride must walk along the laid silk path, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, without stumbling. In order to unite with her future mother-in-law and avoid any omissions in the future, the girl must look with her in the mirror she brought with her from home. The bride is followed by her entire dowry.

Korean wedding banquet

Envelopes with money are most often given as wedding gifts. This is a tradition and it is extremely rare for cash gifts to be replaced with our usual tea sets. The custom of giving exclusively money during the holidays is found, by the way, in many Asian countries.

Favorite performers are often invited to modern wedding ceremonies in Korea to provide musical accompaniment to the celebration. Relatives of the newlyweds also indulge in the pleasure of singing a couple of songs in honor of the new family, and this is almost the main entertainment of the Asian holiday. And even if the singers sing terribly, they will still receive a storm of applause from those around them.

The festive table is sure to include expensive drinks, sweets and a wide variety of treats. Most of the food is purchased in advance by the groom's relatives to show their wealth.

Many traditions in Korean weddings come from modern times. Here, as in other countries, the bride throws her wedding bouquet into the crowd of her unmarried girlfriends, and the guests at the festive table happily shout “Bitter!”

Korean traditions after the wedding

The morning after the celebration, the bride must get up before everyone else, cook rice for the whole family and start cleaning. Modern Korean girls are very lucky, since they only have to clean the apartment, but in the old days, young wives had to tidy up the entire house and yard.

After a while, the groom’s relatives come to visit, and the girl must give each of them gifts prepared in advance, which her parents purchase.
This is how the family life of every Korean girl begins, and although many traditions are not observed by modern couples, the main part of the Korean wedding takes place the same as many years ago.

What's in a name?

When a young couple meets their parents, the elders never say their names, but introduce themselves simply and clearly as “mom” and “dad.”

This is due to the fact that one of the main signs in South Korea is that the name has a lot of weight, influences fate, makes a person weak and vulnerable. Therefore, Korean residents rarely give their names, limiting themselves to nicknames.

Did you know?

Despite the closeness of the relationship, the wife cannot call her husband by name, thereby insulting and belittling his dignity. If such a scene occurs in a crowded place, in 99% of cases the woman will be reprimanded.

South Korean Family Customs

Family values

After the news of pregnancy, the young mother is surrounded by hyper-care; grandparents, uncles, aunts, sisters and the entire extended Korean family are involved in the process.

Immediately after giving birth, it is customary to feed a woman in labor a special seaweed soup made with beef broth. It is believed that Miyok-guk soup improves lactation and restores strength.

Did you know?

Traditional holidays in Korea are usually celebrated with family. Koreans gather with their parents, the grandson and his grandfather make kites, and in the evening they fly them on the street. At this time, grandmothers pass on their family kimchi recipe to their granddaughters, which they keep behind 7 locks.

South Korean Family Customs

Sons are held in high esteem

According to Confucian teachings, the birth of a son is a necessity for every family. "Why? Is there really no use for the girl?” - you ask, and the Koreans will answer you that you know nothing about the afterlife.

Only a son can remember the spirits of his deceased parents, thereby opening them a passage to the afterlife. A family deprived of a son is doomed to eternally “starve” in the afterlife, and this explains the special love of Koreans for the birth of boys.

Did you know?

About 30-40 years ago, in the Korean family, only boys' birthdays were celebrated, while girls remained in the shadows. However, girls were never given any concessions, and they performed their duties at home and at school on an equal basis with boys.

Interesting Family Customs of South Korea

“You can’t clap your hands with one hand,” says a Korean proverb. This expression perfectly describes the attitude of Koreans towards family and, you see, is reminiscent of our Russian fairy tale - remember when the father asked three brothers to break a broom? In general, sit back and invite your mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers to the monitor - they will definitely like the customs of the South Korean family.

№1 By seniority South Korea is the heir to the ideas of Confucianism. And Confucius said that the elders always and in everything have primacy. And it is not discussed. He also said that all relationships (including in the state) should be built on “xiao” (or in Korean heh) - filial piety. Confucius won't give you bad advice, right, mom? Traditionally, several generations of the same family lived under one roof. Nowadays, the son’s family most often stays with the parents, and it is he who is responsible for providing for his parents after they stop receiving wages. There is no old-age pension that we are used to in South Korea. After completing his career, the employee receives a lump sum payment - the average annual salary multiplied by the number of years worked. After this money runs out, parents rely only on their children.

№2 About love Traditionally, it was the parents who selected a match for their son or daughter. One can only imagine how many potential dramas were unfolding in the historical expanses of the land of morning freshness. Or maybe it didn’t unfold, because the word of the elders - see above. In modern Korea, parents do not make the final decision, but, nevertheless, carefully collect information about their child’s chosen one. Then it happens sogethin- a meeting of the parents of the bride and groom, at which families can even exchange medical certificates of the future spouses, saying that everything is fine with health. This is “you have a product, we have a merchant” in Korean.

№3 Bitterly! The wedding itself most often involves 2 ceremonies - a European one (with a fluffy dress, cutting a cake together, throwing a bouquet into a crowd of girlfriends - that's all) and a traditional one - in national costumes hanbok and with the observance of rituals. And in a Korean wedding there is a bride price and constant testing of the strength of the groom and his friends. I wonder if Koreans decorate their entrances with balloons and homemade posters? By the way, living together before marriage in Korea is simply indecent, and divorce is still considered an extremely unpleasant situation, both for the couple themselves and for both families.

No. 4 About children “Children are the flowers of life. Collect a bouquet and give it to your grandmother.” Many Korean families are guided by this joke: grandmothers (on the mother’s side) often and willingly babysit their grandchildren. In Korea, it is believed that it is thanks to a child that a young family is “born” a second time. The kids are pampered, practically not scolded and showered with gifts. This is partly because when a child goes to school, the fairy tale ends and the harsh ones begin. But while you’re little, you can do anything, hurray!

№5 Birthdays are not just once a year Already 100 days after birth, Korean babies have their first “coming out into the world” and their first holiday - pekil. The ancient custom arose due to the fact that earlier infant mortality was very high and it was believed that if a child lived to 100 days, then everything would be fine with him. Rice cakes are prepared for pekil - tteok. According to legend, if 100 people eat them, the hero of the occasion will be healthy and happy. Therefore, if you are suddenly treated to such bread, do not refuse - work a little with a good spirit! And on the very first birthday - dol jeongzhi- many guests gather, relatives and friends come. The birthday boy is dressed in a bright, beautiful hanbok, which is often saved after the holiday. The most interesting thing on this day is the ritual dol jjabe, choice of fate. Various objects are placed in front of the child, from which he chooses one or more. Money means wealth, rice means a well-fed life, threads mean longevity. Previously, they also put, for example, a bow and arrows - the attributes of a successful hunter, or scissors - for a skilled seamstress. Now they have been replaced by computer mice, books and notebooks, stethoscopes and toothbrushes (for future dentists). I wonder what each of us would choose, right?

Instead of conclusions, let's say this: value and take care of your family. After all, it’s much more difficult to break a whole broom than a twig, but you still can’t clap your hands with one hand.

Despite recent changes, the traditional Confucian structure of social relations still largely determines the behavior of Koreans.

Respect for elders

Age and social status are of great importance. It is believed that those younger in age or those of lower social status are obliged to follow the wishes of their elders without objection. Therefore, in Korea, people are often interested in a person's age and marital status in order to determine their position in relation to that person. These questions are not asked out of idle curiosity. However, you don't have to answer them if you don't want to.

Names

Some of the most common Korean surnames include the following: Kim (21% of all Koreans), Lee (14%), Park (8%), Choi (or Choi), Jeon, Chan, Han, Lim, etc. A Korean name consists of a surname of mostly one syllable and a given name usually of two syllables. Last name comes first. Women in Korea do not take their husband's surname after marriage, but their children take their father's surname.

Marriages

In Korea, marriage is traditionally considered the most important event in life, and divorce is a shame not only for former spouses, but also for their families. Despite this, the divorce rate has been rising sharply in recent years. The modern wedding ceremony is somewhat different from the traditional one. First, a Western-style ceremony is held in the wedding palace or church. In it, the bride and groom are dressed in a tuxedo and wedding dress, respectively. Then, on the same day (and usually in the same place), a traditional wedding ceremony is held in a separate room, during which the newlyweds are dressed in traditional Korean costumes.

Chere (rite of remembrance of ancestors)

According to traditional Korean beliefs, when a person dies, his soul does not immediately go to another world, but only after four generations. During this time, the deceased is considered a member of the family. On holidays such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) or Chuseok (Harvest Day), as well as on the day of death of the deceased, his descendants perform a rite of remembrance. Koreans believe that they can live happily thanks to the care of their departed ancestors.

Rules of conduct and gestures

Koreans place great importance on greetings and words of gratitude. They are always pronounced with a slight bow. The depth of the bow depends on the relative position of the speakers. Koreans do not like excessive displays of emotion and usually limit direct physical contact to a polite handshake. However, as your relationship becomes closer, greater familiarity may occur.

Foreigners in Korea are often surprised to see girls walking hand in hand. Touching between people of the same sex who are in close friendships is completely acceptable in Korea. Public displays of affection between different sexes, such as kissing and hugging, are not as rare these days as they once were, but continue to be considered obscene.

Traditionally, Koreans sit, eat and sleep on the floor. Therefore, when entering a Korean home, you should always take off your shoes. In Korea, it is considered rude to be bare-legged in the presence of elders, so it is recommended to always wear socks or stockings when visiting a Korean family.

Among the younger generation of Koreans, it is considered quite normal to contribute, but it often happens that one of the group of friends or colleagues pays. In Korea it used to be considered impolite to talk while eating, but these days it is acceptable to talk and laugh at the table. Blowing your nose at the table is considered indecent.

Words of gratitude for delicious food and good service are always received with joy.

In Korea, it is not customary to call someone with your palm facing up or beckon with your finger.. Dogs are usually called with such gestures in Korea. If you want to call someone over, do it with your hand, palm facing down.

Hanbok

Hanbok has been the traditional clothing of Koreans for thousands of years. The beauty and grace of Korean culture is perfectly conveyed in photographs of Korean women wearing hanbok. Before the advent of Western-style clothing in Korea about 100 years ago, hanbok was the everyday clothing of Koreans.

Men wore jeogori (jacket) and paji (pants), while women wore jeogori and chhima (skirt). Nowadays, hanbok is worn only on special occasions and holidays, such as wedding day, Seollal (Lunar New Year) or Chuseok (Harvest Day).

Ondol

Rooms in a traditional home do not have a clearly defined purpose. For example, there are no rooms that are used as, say, a dining room or a bedroom. Depending on the need, the same room can be used both as a dining room (in this case a small folding table is placed there) and as a bedroom (in this case a mattress is laid in the room).

Most Koreans prefer to sit and sleep on the floor on special mats or mattresses. Rooms in a Korean house have a special heating system ondol, built into the floor. Previously, rooms were heated by hot air that circulated through pipes in the clay floor. Today, hydronic heating is used: hot water circulates through pipes built into a cement floor covered with linoleum or other material.

Gimjang

Gimjang is a centuries-old tradition of preparing kimchi for the winter, passed down from generation to generation. Various pickled vegetables (mostly kale), called kimchi in Korea, are prepared for future use in late autumn. It is simply impossible to imagine a Korean table without this dish.

Eastern medicine

In Eastern medicine, it is believed that all diseases are caused by a decrease in vital energy and a weakening of the body’s immune system, i.e. not the dysfunction of any particular organ, but an imbalance of vital forces in the body as a whole. Therefore, Eastern medicine strives to treat diseases by strengthening the immune system and restoring harmony in the body, and not by eliminating pathogenic factors.

The main methods of Eastern medicine include herbal medicine, acupuncture (acupuncture), mugwort moxibustion and cupping.

Korea is a very ancient country. Despite historical changes, the culture and life of Koreans is determined by the Confucian system of relations.

Respect for elders

Social status and age mean a lot to Koreans when communicating. The wishes of elders must be fulfilled unquestioningly. That is why Koreans who are younger in age or social status fulfill the requests of their elders without objection. It is not surprising that when meeting people, questions are often asked about their personal life, work, age, and education. They are needed to determine the status of the interlocutor. Respect for elders is common among Koreans of all ages, including children and youth.

Names

A Korean's full name consists of a surname and a given name. The surname usually has one and the given name has two syllables. Married women do not change their surname, but their children are given their father's surname.

Rite of remembrance of ancestors (chere)

Koreans believe that after death, the soul lives in this world for four generations. During this time, the deceased person is considered a family member. The ceremony is carried out for Lunar New Year or Harvest Day and definitely in day of death. Koreans believe that the deceased protect their loved ones from misfortune.

Marriages

An important event for a Korean is marriage. A single man cannot be considered an adult. Divorce- This is a shame for the families of the husband and wife. The wedding ceremony is first performed in Western style. The bride and groom put on the toxido and wedding dress. The traditional wedding ceremony takes place on the same day. The newlyweds dress in national wedding costumes.

Rules of conduct, gestures

Words of gratitude are always pronounced with a bow. The degree of bow depends on the status of the interlocutor. Koreans are very reserved; they do not accept hugs, only a polite handshake. Touching between Koreans of the same sex is acceptable. For example, female friends walking down the street and holding hands are not surprising. Showing affection and kissing in public is considered indecent behavior. When entering a house, Koreans always take off their shoes. According to tradition, they sleep, eat and sit on the floor. When visiting, be sure to wear socks. Showing bare legs to elders is indecent. In a restaurant or cafe, someone pays for the food alone, but young people pay together. It is indecent to blow your nose at the table, serve something with one hand, or leave chopsticks in a bowl of rice. You can call a person only with your hand, the palm of which is facing down. With the palm of the hand facing upward, they call the dogs; it is indecent to beckon with a finger. Koreans are very hard-working people. They are often late at work. Many shops, markets and restaurants are open 24 hours a day. After work, colleagues go to dinner somewhere. It's cheaper than cooking at home. Koreans don't drink a lot of hot drinks. This is mainly local low-alcohol vodka. They never get rowdy and are not late for work in the morning. In Korea, it is not customary to apologize. If a Korean accidentally pushes someone or steps on someone’s foot, he will not apologize, but will simply move on. The point is that he doesn't want the person to feel awkward. After all, in response to an apology, he will have to say something.

Hanbok

Hanbok- This is the Korean national costume. Before the arrival of Western fashion on the peninsula, hanbok was casual wear. Men wore trousers and a jacket, and women wore a skirt and jacket. Modern Koreans wear hanbok for holidays and weddings.

Ondol

Ondol- This is a heating system built into the floor. At home, Koreans prefer to sit, sleep and eat on the floor. The rooms are universal. If it’s time to sleep, they lay out a mattress or mats, and it’s time for dinner, they put up a folding table. Previously, hot air was used to heat the house, which passed through pipes built into the clay floor. Modern houses use water heating. Circulating through pipes in the floor, hot water heats the room. The floors are covered with linoleum and other modern materials.

Kimchi

Kimchi- This is an ancient tradition of preparing kimchi for the winter. It is impossible to imagine Korean cuisine without kimchi. This dish consists of pickled vegetables. Chinese cabbage is most often fermented. Kimchi is a very spicy snack, like all Korean cuisine.

Eastern medicine

The principle of Eastern medicine is the harmonization of the human biofield. It is believed that if any organ hurts, it means that the balance of energies in the body is disturbed. Treatment is aimed at increasing immunity and restoring energy channels. Eastern medicine treats with herbs, aromas of essential oils, acupuncture, massage. Koreans have a very peaceful character. They are friendly, have a philosophical approach to life, and know and respect their traditions.

Korean culture

Although the current division of the Korean Peninsula into North and South Korea has led to significant differences in the modern culture of both countries, the traditions and customs of the Korean people and the culture of Korea as a whole are the same for both countries. Let's take a closer look at the main components of Korean culture.

• Dance

Since ancient times, since the reign of the Goryeo dynasty, dance has been of great importance in Korea. There are a huge variety of traditional dances, such as sword dance, fan dance, monk dance, jester dance, peasant dance, etc. They were performed both at the emperor's court and in the villages, villagers staged performances. Nowadays, dance is not such an important part of life in modern Korea, but there are many schools, and many universities in Korea teach folk dance as an academic subject.

Pakjeommu - dance of the fluttering wings of a butterfly

• Painting

Painting is an integral part of Korean culture. It contains the influence of culture, but in itself it is specific and original. Of particular interest is the still painting that was formed during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty. They painted on silk, paper, special fabrics with vegetable, mineral paints or ink. If artistic painting reflected an unusual vision of the world through the eyes of the artist, then folk painting showed the everyday life and problems of everyday life. We can say that painting existed and developed in two directions, and left behind immortal creations.

Cat and butterfly. XVIII century. Artist: Kim Dong Ho

• Korean garden

Few people know, but the traditional Korean garden has existed for more than two thousand years. It looks like a landscape park; people take little part in its formation. All gardens include features such as streams, circular ponds, shaped trees, waterfalls, a rock garden, and hills resembling mountains. Harmony dominates here, regardless of a particular detail. Harmony is created by all the variety of shapes and sizes present here. Traditional Korean gardens are located in France (Nantes), Mexico City (Chapultepec Zoo), Turkey (Ankara), Germany (Berlin), etc.

• Hanbok

Hanbok is a national traditional costume consisting of a jeogori (blouse) and a chima (skirt) for women and paji for men. This is clothing for official receptions, holidays and festivals. But there are also hanboks that can be worn as casual wear. They are made from cheaper fabrics and are easy to care for.

• Kitchen

It is known that modern Korean culture borrows more and more elements from the cultures of European countries every year, but something remains unchanged, namely the national cuisine. The basis, as in most Asian countries, is rice. But, nevertheless, traditional Korean cuisine has a number of distinctive, even specific features. For example, many dishes are replete with spices, especially red pepper, and all because Korea is a warm and southern country, and pepper allows you to keep food fresh longer, and over time, the concepts of “tasty” and “spicy” have become synonymous. Along with pepper, seasonings such as soy sauce and soybean paste are used. But in Koryo-saram, to give dishes a special taste, I use coriander in large quantities.

Kimchi – spicy pickled vegetables

Holidays in Korea

Like many countries, Korea has its own national holidays, which are usually celebrated on a special, Korean scale.

• Seollal - Korean New Year

Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar. The weekend lasts three days, and during this time it is customary to dress up in hanbok, go to your parents or hometown, and go to the seashore to meet the first rays of the sun there. Also on these days, deceased ancestors are remembered by preparing special dishes and performing a ritual called chare. In Sollal, children congratulate their parents, always bowing to the floor, and the person also becomes a year older.

• Liberation Day

This holiday is celebrated annually in North and South Korea on August 15th. On this day, Japan liberated Korea from colonial rule. On this day, an official ceremony is held, in which many high-ranking officials of the country participate. The country's flags are hung everywhere, and according to tradition, several prisoners are given amnesty on this day.

• Chuseok – a festival of harvest and remembrance of ancestors

The holiday falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the eastern calendar. Weekends – the day before and the day after the holiday. A few days before the holiday, Koreans buy food and gifts, buy train and plane tickets to go to their hometown. On a holiday, they set the table in the morning and commemorate their ancestors, or take food to the cemetery. They tie sheaves of cereals to poles, thanking the gods for the harvest, and treat the brownie. Girls and women perform the national dance Kankansulle, and children and their fathers fly kites into the sky.

• Korean wedding

A modern Korean wedding is neither a traditional Korean nor a European wedding. New traditions and customs among the Korean people developed only about fifty years ago, but they are firmly entrenched and widely used by all Koreans.

Wedding traditions and customs of the Korean people have changed a lot in recent years. Since the sixties, wedding ceremonies have been traditionally held in so-called “ritual” halls. But most often weddings are held in restaurants or in hotel conference rooms. Guests arriving for the ceremony must bring a gift to the newlyweds, usually money. The bride and groom also have their own waiting rooms where guests can take photos with them. The traditional hanbok was replaced by “traditional” European outfits - a wedding dress and suit. A wedding is an open event. Often, in addition to the photographer, there is a videographer. Instead of the familiar Mendelssohn march, Wagner's wedding march is played, which is extremely rarely used in other countries. The groom enters the hall first, then the father leads the bride to the altar. The most important role in a wedding ceremony is played by the person performing the ritual. Usually this is a close relative or friend of the groom. The whole ceremony lasts about half an hour, after which the young couple and guests go to the gala banquet. After it begins, the young people put on traditional outfits and go to a specially designated room, where they have dinner with their parents. Usually, immediately after the wedding, the couple goes on a trip.

• Tol chanchi - first birthday

A child's first birthday is a special date. Often, preparation for this holiday begins even before the baby is born. A large number of guests are invited on this day, and the ceremony itself is often held outside the home. Guests bring gifts to the baby, congratulate him, after which a traditional ritual begins that determines the fate of the child. Various objects are placed on the table in front of a child dressed in hanbok, each of which carries a special meaning. His fate depends on what the baby picks up. For example, if it is a handful of cereal, then he will never go hungry. Threads promise a long life, and a book promises a rich mind. After this, a traditional banquet begins, before which the child’s parents bow to the floor, thanking the guests for coming. This is how the first birthday goes!

Thus, even today, in today’s rapidly changing world, the traditions and customs of the Korean people fill the lives of Koreans with meaning and are passed on from generation to generation. After all, the economic situation can be restored, but no one can return lost traditions and culture.