The Mid-Autumn Festival in South Korea, called "Chuseok", is one of the most important traditional festivals in South Korea, similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. Its history can be traced back to ancient agricultural culture, and it is a festival celebrating a bountiful harvest. The following is the historical and cultural background of the Mid-Autumn Festival in South Korea:
origin
The origin of Mid-Autumn Festival is related to the harvest celebration in ancient agricultural society. Although the exact origin time is not yet clear, it is widely believed to date back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC -668 AD). According to historical records, Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo all had similar autumn harvest festivals, with the Silla era's "Jiahaiku" being one of the most famous. Legend has it that during the Silla period, there was a "weaving competition" that began on August 15th. After a month of competition, the losing party prepared a lavish banquet and dance performance for the winner.
Cultural customs
The main significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival is to give thanks to nature, celebrate the harvest and pay homage to ancestors. In South Korea, the traditional customs during the Mid-Autumn Festival include:
Ancestor worship: The most important ceremony of the Mid-Autumn Festival is "Charye", that is, family members will hold a sacrifice ceremony for the deceased ancestors to express gratitude and respect.
Tomb sweeping: Koreans will go to their ancestors' cemetery to worship, called "Seongmyo", around the Mid-Autumn Festival, and clean the cemetery to show respect.
Reunion: Mid-Autumn Festival is also a time for family reunion, when relatives gather to share food and happy time.
Traditional food: The special food of the Mid-Autumn Festival is "Songpyeon", a half moon shaped rice cake steamed with pine leaves, filled with sesame, red beans, chestnuts and other fillings, symbolizing harvest and reunion.
evolution
With the passage of time, South Korea's Mid-Autumn Festival culture has evolved. In addition to the traditional ancestor worship and tomb sweeping ceremonies, the modern Mid-Autumn Festival also includes more leisure and entertainment activities, such as dancing, traditional games, singing performances, etc. The Korean government has designated Mid-Autumn Festival as a legal holiday. People usually have a three-day holiday to return home and reunite with their families.
The Significance of Mid-Autumn Festival in Modern Society
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival in South Korea is not only a traditional harvest festival, but also an important family festival and cultural celebration. People use this holiday to relax, be grateful, and reflect. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also an important embodiment of the inheritance of Korean traditional culture, which shows the national spirit and unity through various celebrations.