1. Introduction to the text
Seollal, also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated traditional festivals in Korea. This annual celebration marks the first day of the Korean lunar calendar and is deeply rooted in the country’s rich cultural heritage. Seollal is a time for family reunions, paying respect to ancestors, and engaging in various cultural practices that have been passed down through generations.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 설날 | Seollal | Lunar New Year |
| 차례 | Charye | Ancestral Rite |
| 세배 | Sebae | New Year’s Bow |
| 복조리 | Bokjori | Lucky Bag |
| 떡국 | Tteokguk | Rice Cake Soup |
| 전통 | Jeon-tong | Tradition |
| 민속 | Minsok | Folk Customs |
| 유래 | Yurae | Origin |
| 의례 | Uirye | Ritual |
| 문화유산 | Munhwa Yusan | Cultural Heritage |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
설날은 한국의 가장 중요한 전통 명절 중 하나입니다.
Seollal is one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea.
이 명절은 음력 새해 첫날을 기념하며, 가족 reunions, 조상에 대한 경의를 표하고, 여러 세대에 걸쳐 전해 내려오는 다양한 문화 관행을 실천하는 시기입니다.
This festival celebrates the first day of the lunar new year, and is a time for family reunions, paying respect to ancestors, and engaging in various cultural practices that have been passed down through generations.
설날 전날 밤에는 차례를 지내는데, 이는 조상에게 예를 갖추는 의식입니다.
On the eve of Seollal, families perform the Charye, a ritual to pay respects to their ancestors.
설날 아침에는 세배를 하는데, 이는 젊은이들이 연장자들에게 인사를 드리는 전통입니다.
On the morning of Seollal, the younger generation performs Sebae, a traditional bow to wish elders a happy new year.
세배를 할 때 연장자들은 복조리라 불리는 Lucky bags를 나누어 주곤 합니다.
During Sebae, elders often give out Bokjori, lucky bags containing small gifts or money.
설날 음식 중 가장 대표적인 것은 떡국입니다. 이 쌀가루로 만든 떡을 넣은 국물 요리는 한 살 더 먹었음을 상징합니다.
One of the most iconic Seollal foods is Tteokguk, a soup with rice cake slices, symbolizing adding another year to one’s age.
4. Reading comprehension questions
1) What is the significance of Seollal in Korean culture?
2) Describe the Charye ritual and its purpose.
3) What is the meaning behind eating Tteokguk on Seollal?
4) Explain the tradition of Sebae and Bokjori.
5) How does Seollal represent the passing down of cultural traditions in Korea?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is deeply intertwined with Korean culture and history. Its origins can be traced back to ancient agricultural societies, where the new year was celebrated as a time of renewal and gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Over time, Seollal has evolved to incorporate various rituals and customs that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage.