Chuseok (추석) or Korea's Thanksgiving Day is one of Korea's main and most important holiday that is celebrated between 3-4 days. Families from different places come home together to eat and enjoy as well as to give thanks to their ancestors. Quality time with family and preserving the cultural heritage, are the key for this special event.
The word Chuseok (추석) is also called Hangawi (한가위), Han (한) means big, and Gawi (가위) means The ides of the 8th lunar month or autumn which according to the lunar calendar, it's the best time for bountiful harvests, hence the reason why rites are performed during Chuseok.
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| (Photo Credits: Yonhap News) |
Speaking of rites, every morning of Chuseok, families perform an ancestral rites called Charye (차례) which they prepare a table full of food and liquors and are served to their ancestors in gratitude for a good harvest. After the ceremony, families are able to enjoy thru a shared meal.
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| (Photo Credits: Korea Times) |
Foods aren't only served in the table for no purpose. Every piece has its own meaning which are really important. Though nowadays, some families prepare their own special table for Chuseok, but these foods are still part of the basics.
The root of the Bellflower represents the ancestors of the family, the Bracken as solidity of the parents who are in the present and the Spinach represents the future of the entire household.
Songpyeon: Bright Future
This type of rice cake is a traditional food that is made up of glutinous rice and is served every Chuseok. It became the popular symbol of their culture as Songpyeon already emerged during the Goryeon Period.
Apple: Love and Peace within the Family
Based from the yin-yang theory, red fruits are placed on the east side of the table and white fruits are placed on the west side of the table. The color of the apple from the outside also represents love while the inside represents peace.
Traditional Honey Cake: 5 Elements of the Universe
The five colors, red, blue, yellow, white and black from a honey cake represents the 5 elements of the universe. This concept comes from Buddhism.
Pear: Wisdom
In ancient Korea, people believed water symbolizes wisdom as it helps to cleanse people and develop wisdom. Pear has 89% of water hence, it became the representation for wisdom.
Chestnut: The three ministers of Joseon Dynasty
Chestnut represents the three ministers of Joseon Dynasty as it has 3 seeds inside. People put chestnuts on the table hoping for a family member to become a minister.
Jujube: King
The jujube on the other hand, has only one big seed which perfectly represents the King. It also represents a wish to increase the number of descendants.
Dried Fish: Spreading Descendants
Dried pollack and cod especially pollack lays a lot of eggs and it represents the wish for many descendants. All fish on the table should be placed on the right side with their head on the east and their tail on the west.
Liquors
Liquors are also served on the table together with a Korean pancake called, Jeon (전)
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| (Photo Credits: kookje.co.kr) |
After Charye, families go together to visit their ancestors' graves, also called as Songmyeo (송묘). They clear out the weeds that grew around the grave, a practice called as Beolcho (벌초). This is a sign of a continuous responsibility and devotion to their family.
Asides from the food and traditional rites, activities like Korean Wrestling and Korean Circle Dance are performed every year.
Non-Koreans who wants to know the cultural rites of Chuseok, Seoul hosts a lot of activities for them. Korean Folk Village, Namsangol Hanok Village, Deoksugung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea, The National Museum of Korea, and Jongmyo Shrine are open for everyone who wants to participate and learn more about this special event.
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