Sul (설)

Hi everyone! This is the first post for 2009! Todays is Sul nal (설 날) or New Years Day in Korea. The typical phrase you’ll hear is sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요). Let’s break this phrase down so that we can understand this quirky greeting. Sehe (새 해) means ‘new year.’ Bok (복) means ‘luck.’ Mani (많이) means ‘a lot.’ Baduseyo (받으세요) means ‘receive.’ Altogether if you translate this literally it means, ‘Receive a lot of luck for the New Year,’ or ‘Good luck for the New Year.’

New Years Day is called Sul (설) in Korean. Korean children follow a tradition called sebe jul (새배절) on the morning of New Years Day. Sebe jul (새배절) is a type of bow where you stand up and prostrate yourself with your forehead nearly touching the floor. Technically speaking you don’t have to be a child to perform a sebe jul (새배절). You could be forty years old and still perform this ritual; especially if your parents are still alive. The sebe jul (새배절) tradition goes way back in Korean history. It’s supposed to be a sign of respect towards the elderly.

When children perform the bow, parents and grandparents will give their children and grandchildren some allowance money called sebe don (새 배돈). Sebe don (새배돈) is usually handed out until the child reaches high school or college. Adults, especially if they work, will usually give their parents sebe don (새배돈). So here, the cycle is reversed and the young takes care of the old.

On sul (설), it’s also customary for Korean people to wear a hanbok (한복) or a traditional Korean outfit. As you can see, the New Year is a time where Koreans practice many traditional rituals. It’s also a time that many people spend with their families. I’ll talk more about this in later posts. For now, sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요) or Happy New Year.