Korean New Year, known as Seollal (설날), is one of Korea’s most significant traditional holidays. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and is a time for honoring ancestors, spending time with family, and embracing good fortune for the year ahead. The celebration is full of meaningful customs, traditional games, delicious food, and cultural rituals.
History of the Celebration of Korean New Year
Korean New Year has roots dating back over a thousand years to ancient dynasties. Based on the lunar calendar, it typically coincides with the Chinese New Year, though customs and traditions are uniquely Korean. Historically, Seollal was a time for paying respect to ancestors, performing Charye (차례) – a memorial service – and seeking blessings for prosperity and good health in the coming year. Over time, the festival has preserved these traditions while incorporating modern elements.
When is Korean New Year Celebrated?
Korean New Year is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Seollal is celebrated on January 29th. Celebrations often last for three days—before, during, and after the official New Year’s Day.
How We Celebrate Korean New Year
- Family Gatherings and Ancestral Rites
Families come together to perform Charye, offering food to honor their ancestors. This ritual expresses gratitude and seeks blessings for the future. - Wearing Hanbok (한복)
Traditional Korean attire, known as Hanbok, is worn, symbolizing respect for cultural heritage. - Seollal Feast
The holiday meal features traditional dishes such as Tteokguk (rice cake soup) and Jeon (savory pancakes). Eating Tteokguk symbolizes gaining a year in age. - Playing Traditional Games
Games like Yutnori (윷놀이) are played with family and friends. Kite flying and Jegichagi (a game similar to hacky sack) are also popular among children. - Giving and Receiving Gifts
Elders give children money in red envelopes, known as Sebaetdon, along with words of wisdom and blessings.
Why We Celebrate Korean New Year
Korean New Year is celebrated to honor the past, strengthen family bonds, and welcome a new beginning. It’s a time to reflect on the previous year, show gratitude, and set intentions for the future. The holiday’s deep-rooted customs provide an opportunity to reconnect with tradition and embrace a fresh start filled with hope, prosperity, and health.
Korean New Year Quotes
- “새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Wishing you lots of luck and blessings in the New Year!)”
- “The New Year is a time to write a new story. May yours be full of joy and success.”
- “Each new year brings new opportunities. Seize them with courage and determination.”
- “Let’s cherish the old memories while creating new ones in the New Year!”
- “Health and happiness are the best New Year gifts. May they be yours in abundance!”
- “Begin the year with gratitude, and it will be filled with blessings.”
- “Old traditions, new beginnings. May the New Year bring you joy and prosperity.”
- “A new year is a new chance to grow, love, and shine.”
- “Embrace the fresh start and all the possibilities it holds.”
- “Wishing you peace, health, and endless happiness this Seollal.”
- “Honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.”
- “May your heart be full of gratitude and your year be full of success.”
- “Time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new with open arms.”
- “Success and good health—may these be your companions this year.”
- “The best time for new beginnings is now.”
- “Celebrate the beauty of life and the hope a new year brings.”
- “May this New Year bring harmony to your home and joy to your heart.”
- “Dream big, work hard, and watch your dreams come true.”
- “Wishing you strength, courage, and happiness in the New Year.”
- “Let’s walk into the New Year with hope and determination.”
Korean New Year Messages
- “새해 복 많이 받으세요! May this New Year bring you happiness and success.”
- “Wishing you a year filled with laughter, love, and endless joy.”
- “May your Seollal be blessed with health, wealth, and happiness.”
- “A fresh year, a fresh start—may your dreams come true in 2025!”
- “May this year be the beginning of something amazing for you.”
- “Sending you warm wishes and prosperity this Korean New Year.”
- “May the New Year bring you closer to your goals and dreams.”
- “Cherish the old and embrace the new. Happy Korean New Year!”
- “Let joy and love fill your home this Seollal.”
- “Wishing you a year of peace, happiness, and good fortune.”
- “May your journey this year be bright and beautiful.”
- “New Year, new dreams, new opportunities—make the most of them!”
- “Let’s toast to a year of health and success.”
- “Sending you blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling year.”
- “May your days be as bright as your heart is kind.”
- “Here’s to new beginnings and endless possibilities.”
- “Let your heart guide you toward happiness and success this year.”
- “May this New Year bring new hope and endless joy.”
- “Celebrate the moments, big and small. Happy New Year!”
- “Wishing you love, peace, and happiness all year long.”
Korean New Year Wishes (설날 인사말)
- 새해 복 많이 받으세요! – Wishing you lots of luck in the new year!
- 행복과 건강이 가득한 한 해 되세요. – May your year be full of happiness and health.
- 소망하는 일 모두 이루시길 바랍니다. – May all your wishes come true.
- 희망찬 새해 되세요. – Have a hopeful new year.
- 즐거운 설날 보내세요. – Have a joyful Korean New Year.
- 행운과 성공이 가득한 한 해 되세요. – May your year be filled with luck and success.
- 가족과 함께 행복한 명절 보내세요. – Enjoy a happy holiday with your family.
- 새해에 건강하시고 평안하시길 기원합니다. – Wishing you good health and peace in the new year.
- 밝고 희망찬 새해 되세요. – Have a bright and hopeful new year.
- 웃음과 행복이 넘치는 한 해 되시길 바랍니다. – Wishing you a year full of laughter and happiness.
- 새해에는 좋은 일만 가득하시길 기원합니다. – I hope your new year is filled only with good things.
- 가정에 행복과 건강이 함께 하시길 바랍니다. – May your family be blessed with happiness and health.
- 새해에는 모든 꿈 이루시길 바랍니다. – May all your dreams come true in the new year.
- 행복이 넘치는 새해 보내세요. – Have a year filled with happiness.
- 항상 건강하고 웃음 가득한 새해 되세요. – Stay healthy and full of smiles this year.
- 성공적인 한 해 되시길 바랍니다. – Wishing you a successful year.
- 새해 소망하시는 일 모두 이루세요. – May you achieve everything you wish for in the new year.
- 희망이 가득한 새해 맞이하세요. – Embrace a new year full of hope.
- 가족의 건강과 행복을 기원합니다. – I wish your family health and happiness.
- 새해에는 더 많은 기쁨과 사랑이 가득하시길 바랍니다. – May your new year be filled with more joy and love.
Korean New Year Greetings
- May your new year bring prosperity and joy.
- May this year be filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
- Wishing you good fortune and endless blessings in the year ahead.
- May you achieve all your dreams and goals this year.
- I hope this new year brings you success and good health.
- May every moment of the new year bring you closer to happiness.
- Wishing you and your family peace and harmony this year.
- Happy Korean New Year! May it be full of prosperity and hope.
- May the new year bring you warmth, love, and light.
- Sending warm wishes for a joyful and blessed Korean New Year.
- May your home be filled with laughter and happiness this year.
- Wishing you success and luck in everything you do.
- May the new year be the best one yet for you and your family.
- I hope you create beautiful memories this year.
- May you be surrounded by love and positivity throughout the year.
- Wishing you abundance and happiness in the year ahead.
- May your journey this year be successful and full of joy.
- Let’s welcome the new year with hope and excitement.
- May you find happiness and fulfillment in 2025.
- Sending you warm wishes for prosperity, love, and peace.
Conclusion
Korean New Year, known as Seollal (설날), is a meaningful time for family gatherings, traditional rituals, and expressing gratitude and well-wishes. By sharing heartfelt messages and greetings, you can strengthen your connections and spread happiness during this special holiday. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or sending virtual wishes, take this opportunity to convey your hopes for a prosperous and joyful year.
FAQs About Celebrating Korean New Year
- What is Seollal?
Seollal is the Korean Lunar New Year, one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea. It marks the first day of the lunar calendar. - How do Koreans celebrate Seollal?
Koreans celebrate by gathering with family, performing ancestral rituals (charye), playing traditional games, and eating special foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). - What does eating tteokguk symbolize?
Eating tteokguk symbolizes growing a year older and welcoming the new year with good fortune. - What is the traditional Korean New Year greeting?
The most common greeting is 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!), meaning “Wishing you lots of luck in the new year!” - When is Korean New Year celebrated?
Korean New Year usually falls in late January or early February, based on the lunar calendar.