The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Sat, January 16, 2021 | 06:32
Jeongwol Daeboreum
Posted : 2014-02-14 17:00
Updated : 2014-02-14 17:00
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or 'daljip,' to celebrate 'Jeongwol Daeboreum' beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. 'Jeongwol' is the first month of the lunar calendar and 'Daeboreum' is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won

A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or "daljip," to celebrate "Jeongwol Daeboreum" beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. "Jeongwol" is the first month of the lunar calendar and "Daeboreum" is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won


Traditional ways of celebration continues


By Yoon Sung-won


On Thursday evening, many gathered around the large bonfire, or "daljip," to celebrate Jeongwol Daeboreum beside the Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul.

"Jeongwol" and "Daeboreum" means first month by lunar calendar and big full moon, respectively.

Gazing at the blazing fire, grandparents, children and young couples all made wishes of happiness and well-being throughout the year.

Thursday was the eve for the day that comes around the fifteenth day of the first lunar calendar month.

Koreans traditionally burned "daljip," or a pile of sheaves and wood chunks, to drive away bad luck and to wish good fortune.

A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or 'daljip,' to celebrate 'Jeongwol Daeboreum' beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. 'Jeongwol' is the first month of the lunar calendar and 'Daeboreum' is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won

People gather around "daljip," a large pile of sheaves and wood chunks prepared for a bonfire. In Jeongwol Daeboreum tradition, people leave a note bearing wish in the dalzip to burn and drive away bad luck and bring good fortune.


But many are concerned that the tradition of Jeongwol Daeboreum, or great full moon, is fading, being overshadowed by the Feb. 14 St. Valentine's Day.

The concern loomed again this year as the two holidays fell on the same day. Among younger generations in particular, St. Valentine's Day has increasingly replaced Jeongwol Daeboreum as the biggest holiday in February. Also, despite its genuine tradition in the western culture, the day has been repeatedly pointed out to be tarnished by clever sales gimmicks in Korea.

The night before Jeongwol Daeboreum, children played a game called "jwibulnori," whirling a can filled with charcoal fire blazed in it to burn dry grass in a belief that these cans protect the new crops.

Next to the burning "daljip," children excitedly tried whirling blazing cans, wondering what the game is for. No grown-ups there could make the city-bred children understand the game's meaning that is strongly based in an agricultural lifestyle.

No matter how much these children seemed to enjoy, it is still doubtful if the tradition will continue while they don't really grasp why they are doing it.


A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or 'daljip,' to celebrate 'Jeongwol Daeboreum' beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. 'Jeongwol' is the first month of the lunar calendar and 'Daeboreum' is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won

People perform a traditional ritual "daribabki," a custom that prays for health in the year, at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or 'daljip,' to celebrate 'Jeongwol Daeboreum' beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. 'Jeongwol' is the first month of the lunar calendar and 'Daeboreum' is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won
Baskets of peanuts, walnuts and chestnuts are prepared for "bureom," which refers to the nuts people eat at Jeongwol Daeboreum in the belief they will be protected from boils and toothache for the year.
A woman performs a traditional dance in front of a large bonfire, or 'daljip,' to celebrate 'Jeongwol Daeboreum' beside Omokgyo Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Thursday. 'Jeongwol' is the first month of the lunar calendar and 'Daeboreum' is its first full moon. Korea Times photos by Yoon Sung-won

A child whirls a can filled with charcoal fire during "jwibulnori," a traditional game played in the belief it will protect new crops.

Emailyoonsw@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
WooriBank
 
  • Why treatments unlikely to be 'game changer' in COVID-19 battle
  • Calls mounting to punish deepfake porn distributors
  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S21
  • Coupang to change landscape of logistics market
  • LVMH to raise prices of its luxury brands
  • Military parade pressures Biden to take North Korea seriously
  • Philippines' Duterte says presidency not a job for a woman
  • New virus cases in 500s for 4th day
  • Hana Bank pushes for English-language documentation
  • AI developer to discard data used in controversial 'female' chatbot
  • Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people
  • Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise
  • Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war
  • 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19
  • Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience
DARKROOM
  • Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

    Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

  • Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

    Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

  • Happy New Year 2021

    Happy New Year 2021

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright