The More You Know: Korean Holidays

Like America, Korea has a series of national holidays wherein people don't have to go to work and all the children rejoice from the mountain tops holding bonbons and spiced cider. Let's go over the major ones and call it a day...a...holiday. Har har har!

Starting at at the beginning of the year:

January 1st. New Years Day.

This day was much more like the American version than I suspected. Below, when I get to Christmas, or if you read my Christmas post earlier, you will see that I was expecting just another day. Many things are open, and unlike America, things do not close early on New Year's Eve, however, many things are closed and the day has a lazy feel the same as in America. There's the countdown and the obligatory drunken partying that takes place anywhere else in the world.

February 3rd (this year). Lunar New Year.

This, the only holiday I haven't experienced in Korea, is said to be in line with the most important holidays of Korea. Having known a few Asians once, I can verify that this day is really important. Not only do Koreans get three days off for this special time, traveling anywhere in Asia is a nightmare, not to mention expensive. Reminiscent of Christmas, anyone? It is also like Christmas in that parents give their children gifts (usually moneys) on this day.

March 1st. Independence Day.

In 1919, Korea declared independence from Japan and set up a provincial government based out of Shanghai, China. It wasn't until the end of World War II that they actually achieved some independence. This is akin to when we Yanks declared our independence from the Britons in 1776, yet still had to fight a war until 1783 (technically). This day is celebrated by flag raisings and ceremonies, the contents of which are fuzzy and lost in my memory.

May 5th. Children's Day.

This is actually an international holiday that is somehow not celebrated in the US. Why not? It's a day off of work. It is a holiday that is summed up exactly in its name. The day is to celebrate children as the bright, Facebook and computer game addicted future of the world. As it's fairly close to the beginning of good weather in Korea, many people, including ol' Number One here, spend it in the park with famiry (well, Number One minus the family).

May 10th (this year). Buddha's Birthday.

The lead up to this holiday is kind of like Christmas without all the sales and commercials. Well, what's left? Good point. I guess I mean the religious aspect of it. Everyone gets the buildings all decorated out and the temples are spruced up with effigies of a fat Asian guy and lanterns and everyone just gets down to it. What "it" is, I still have yet to determine.

August 15th. Liberation Day.

Man, how cool would it be if America had two Independence Days? Like when the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd of 1783, we celebrated "Liberation Day"? I guess that would be too close to Labor Day, right? So what!? Let's make it happen! Anyway, I'm unsure which date this refers to. On this day in 1945, Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan. On this day in 1948, the Republic of Korea was established. I suppose it's the former based on the name, but it depends on how you look at it.

September 12th (this year). Chuseok.

In Korean, Chuseok means "Chuck Norris' birthday." It is the mother and father of Korean holidays. Akin to our Thanksgiving (and Canada's, unfortunately), this three day festival celebrates family and food. For me, it called for a trip to Japan. When I got back, every Korean was noticeably fatter and happier. I like that. Closer to resembling Buddha every year.

October 3rd. National Foundation Day.

Ok, imagine if we had three Independence Days. July 4th, Declaration Day; September 3rd, Liberation Day; May 14th, Foundation Day (Jamestown). It's a triumvirate of American spirit that would renew the vigor of patriotism long since lost and replaced by a marauding out of control capitalist greed. Anyway, in Korea this day represents the day the Gojoseon Dynasty was created (the first state of the Korean nation in 2333 BC). In Korean, this day is called 개천절, which means "Heaven Opened Day" (thank you, Wikipedia). They sure are modest, aren't they?

December 25th. Christmas Day.

This is a strange, strange day in Korea. To understand why, we must first see that the nation is traditionally Buddhist and only in the last 40 years has Christianity noticeably grown to around a 30% following. As such, they're still getting used to the whole Christ thing. This day is strange in that the lead up to it is minimal. I understand that cutting down trees is illegal here since after the Korean war, Korea didn't have any trees left and they cherish them and import their lumber from China, thus making the concept of "Christmas tree" a little foreign. Yes, you will sometimes see Christmas lights on trees. Yes, you will also sometimes see holiday sales going on in stores. But you and I both know that these two things combined are nothing close to the fervor and stress that is created in North America during the month of December. In fact, the most people I had seen out shopping was actually on Christmas. Since stores are open, they have the option to wait to buy gifts until the actual day as opposed to midnight Christmas Eve. Other than the increase in shoppers, Christmas this year seemed like a normal Saturday. It's a couple day, where couples will do things together, even leaving their children at home to be together.

On that romantic notion, I get to a few "unofficial" holidays in Korea.

February 14th. Valentine's Day.

This is different from the American version in that on this day only women give their partner a sign of their love in the form of a gift. Why this takes place is answered by the following day:

March 14th. White Day.

When the men give their partner a sign of their love in the form of a gift. What if you have no significant other? Well, there's a day for you too:

April 14th. Black Day.

On this day, all the single people who received nothing on either of the preceding 14ths go to the local Chinese restaurant and eat black noodles (자장면) and mourn their single life. Seriously, I'm being serious.

May 8th. Parent's Day.

Whereas we combine the possibility of both a man's and woman's separate love holiday in America, Korea combines the possibility of both a mother's and a father's separate appreciation day into one holiday. Similar to both Mother's and Father's Day though, children spend the day ignoring their parents and avoiding plans to take them to dinner while parents just end up celebrating each other.

November 11th. Pepero Day.

A much more somber and serious day in America, November 11th is celebrated in Korea by all the happy little children giving out chocolate dipped cookie sticks called "Pepero" to all their friends. This is the equivalent of a "Hallmark" holiday in that one company, Lotte, has a stranglehold on the market since they are the official makers of Pepero. They also do 55% of their sales during the lead up to this holiday. It is celebrated on November 11th because 11/11 looks like four Pepero sticks standing on end. How quaint.

I'm on a roll, baby. Check back tomorrow to see if I'm butter or jam.