South Korea and China have some common traditional festivals, which usually originate from the Confucian cultural sphere and are reflected in the history and culture of both countries. Here are several major common festivals:
- Spring Festival (설날/Bollal)
China: The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Family members will reunite, enjoy the New Year's Eve dinner, and engage in various celebration activities such as posting couplets, setting off firecrackers, and paying New Year's greetings.
South Korea: In South Korea, the Spring Festival is known as "Sollal" and is an equally important time for family reunions. On this day, Koreans will also wear traditional Korean costumes, perform ancestor worship, and eat traditional foods such as rice cake soup (떡떡). - Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok)
China: Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival, symbolizing reunion. Chinese people usually eat moon cakes, watch the moon and express their yearning for their relatives.
South Korea: In South Korea, Mid-Autumn Festival is called "Chuseok", which is also a very important festival. On this day, Koreans will return to their hometown to worship their ancestors and share traditional food such as muffins. - Loong Boat Festival (45800오/Dano)
China: The Loong Boat Festival is a festival commemorating the patriotic poet Qu Yuan in China. People will eat Zongzi and race Loong Boat to commemorate Qu Yuan.
South Korea: Loong Boat Festival is called "Dano" in South Korea, mainly to celebrate harvest and exorcise evil spirits. Traditional Korean activities include swinging, wrestling competitions, and drinking calamus wine. - Cold Food Festival (한식/Hansik)
China: Cold Food Festival is a traditional festival in China, usually held one or two days before Qingming Festival. It commemorates the day of Jie Zitui in the Spring and Autumn Period, and customs include eating cold food and not making fires.
South Korea: Hansik in South Korea is similar to the Cold Food Festival and is also a day for ancestor worship and tomb sweeping. Koreans will eat cold food and hold sacrificial activities on this day.
These festivals may be celebrated in different ways, but they all reflect the respect of the two peoples for their families, ancestors and the inheritance of traditional culture.