2012, Year of the Black Dragon

One of the attractions of life in Korea for many of us is the two New Years we get to celebrate. Korea has two calendar systems, one governed by the Sun and one governed by the Moon, and each of them has its own year-end holiday. Marking the Year of the Black Dragon, this year’s New Year begins on Monday, January 23. The Korean Lunar New Year, called “Seollal” or “Gujeong,” usually falls on the second new moon after winter solstice. Seollal is Korea’s largest holiday. 

The dragon, a legendary beast that is comprised of a combination of many animals including a snake, carp and tiger, is considered one of the most holy creatures - it is customary for people to buy lottery tickets after they have dreams about dragons.

This year is considered especially lucky, as it will be the Year of the Black Dragon, an event that occurs only every 60 years. Although the Year of the Dragon occurs every twelve years, only every fifth occurrence is the Black Dragon, making a sexagenary cycle. Korean people consider the Year of the Black Dragon to be a year of luck and good fortune, believing the Black Dragon ascends to Heaven at the end of its life. The last Year of the Black Dragon was from January 27, 1952 to February 13, 1953.

Besides being a favorite subject for literature and art, the dragon can also be found as a motif in many aspects of traditional Korean culture: architecture, furniture, clothing, ornaments and jewelry, and various household items. Also, many Buddhist temples are adorned with the dragon as it is said that nine dragons poured perfume from the heavens upon Buddha’s birth. Dragons hold a cintamani in their mouths – the magical jewel representing Buddha’s virtue – which can grant your every wish.

Everything related to the king had a dragon reference such as “dragon face” (용안), “dragon coat” (용포), “dragon seat” (용좌), with dragon engraved in the king’s royal seal. Also, the first work to be written in the Korean alphabet Hangeul was Yongbieochonga (용비어천가), “Song of the Dragons Flying to the Heavens”, praising the achievements of the forefathers of the Joseon Dynasty. A traditional funeral carriage is adorned with a dragon to escort the deceased to the other world. Dreaming of a dragon is the luckiest dream that can ever be, and expressions that equal the dragon with that of excellence and greatness are still used today.

The presence of the Black Dragon is making itself known in Korean society in many ways. The birth rate is expected to rise, as parents will want their children to be born in such an auspicious year. Department stores are selling baby products decorated with the Black Dragon. People born in previous Years of the Dragon can receive discounts at a variety of businesses.


Dragon Years are about important changes. As it is the presidential election year in Korea, there is no doubt that it will be. To learn more about what the dragon means in Korea, a visit to the National Folk Museum of Korea is highly recommended.

For more information :http://www.korea4expats.com/news-year-of-the-dragon-korea-2012.html

                                   http://blog.korea.net/?p=6629

Have a very Happy Black Dragon New Year!

                                                                                                                             Posted by XY

Interesting Facts About Korean Schools

1. Kindergarten is not mandatory, therefore if a student goes to one they are private schools

2. Kindergarten is for kids aged 5-7

3. Elementary school students go to school for only about 5 hours a day

4. Although elementary school doesn’t have long hours, a high number of students go to “academies” after school (like the one I teach at). There are Math, English, Science academies, but if a student goes to piano lessons daily they call that an academy as well.

5. Some parents (like my principal) send their kids to a number of “academies.” My prinicipal’s son goes to SEVEN: English, Math, Science, Essay Writing, Piano, ‘All Subjects,’ and Chinese Calligraphy. The total cost for this is $1,700 per month. His hours are generally 7:30am-10pm and on Saturdays he has about 5 hours worth of school. I’m not kidding. What a tough life.

6. English is required to be taught in elementary schools from the age of 10

7. It’s not out of the ordinary for students to be physically punished if they act up or don’t do homework.

A brand new year~ 환영 2012~

Children doing 새배절

During 1st Jan of each year is Sul nal (설날) or New Years Day in Korea. Normally,Korean will wish us   sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요). So, what does it means? Let us break this phrase down so that we can better understand this greeting.  Sehe (새해) means ‘new year’.  Bok (복) means ‘luck’.  Mani (많이) means ‘a lot’.  Baduseyo (받으세요) means ‘receive’.  Altogether if we translated 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. On sul (설), it is 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.

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.The sebe jul (새배절) tradition goes way back in Korean history. Children perform sebe jul (새배절), adults will seh bae(a deep bow to the flow).It is 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 money called sebe don (새배돈) and words of wisdom.  Sebe don (새배돈) is usually handed out until the child reaches high school or college.  When the children grow up as an adults, especially if they already work, they will usually give their parents sebe don (새배돈).  So, it just like a cycle, which is reversing back and the young takes care of the old. 

The traditional new year meal is a soup of thinly sliced rice cake - TteokGuk(떡국) or variation of dumplings.Because everyone turns a year older with the start of each new year (not on their birthday), many people tell their children that they can not get older unless they have eaten some tteokguk. Some type of Duk(rice cakes,ttuk or duk) is enjoyed at every important Korean celebration, and the white rice cakes in the soup represent a clean start and new beginning for the new year.

After the meal, they will having their family time,could mean traditional outdoor games like kite-flying or noltigi.Some of them will playing Korean board games like yutnori(a board game that involves stick-tossing), younger generations playing video, sing karaoke or having a relax conversation. 

Before this end, wish you all sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요) or Happy New Year. ^^

TteokGuk(떡국)

Ps --To know more about this, please visit Korea tourism website : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=941952

sources from: http://www.transparent.com/korean/sul-%EC%84%A4/ & http://koreanfood.about.com/od/holidaysandoccasions/a/NewYear_2.htm


by JY