Life cycle rituals are an important element of the cultural identity of the Korean people. Cultural values in life cycle rituals reflect the multidimensional relationship between humans and the natural and social environments; at the same time, they reflect the intelligence, experience, vitality, and creativity of the Korean people throughout history.
Life cycle rituals are rituals performed throughout a person’s life, from birth to death. Korean life cycle rituals have four main milestones: Quan (Coming of Age Ceremony) – Hon (Marriage Ceremony) – Tang (Funeral) – Te (Death Anniversary). There are also other rituals interwoven to mark each milestone in a person’s life:
– 금줄 (keum chul – straw rope):
When a child is born, people will make a rope made of straw or tree bark and hang it in front of the house gate. If it is a boy, charcoal and chili peppers will be tied to the rope; if it is a girl, charcoal and pine needles will be tied. This action is both a congratulation for the birth of a child; and an announcement that for the next 21 days, only the mother’s family will be allowed to enter and exit the house, no guests will be received; At the same time, the string also has the effect of preventing evil spirits and evil things from entering the house and harming the baby.
– 백일 (baekil): means 100 days from the day the baby is born. The family will set up a tray to worship Samshin and hold a ceremony to celebrate the baby’s health. White or red gao tteok (떡) cakes are placed on the banquet table. Each color of cake has its own meaning.
돌 (tol – first birthday): Like in Vietnam, Koreans also consider the first birthday of babies as an important milestone in life.
Coming of Age Ceremony
In Korea, it is held on the second day of the third week in May. This holiday marks the milestone when 20-year-olds are officially considered adults. The coming of age ceremony includes: 관례 (kwallye) for men and 계례 (kyerye) for women. The young men and women recite their vows, then bow to the guests, take their first drink, and officially become adults. During the ceremony, they also visit shrines to announce to heaven and earth that they have become responsible young people in society.
Marriage Ceremony (결혼식 – kyeol hon shik )
During the Choson period, Koreans got married very early. The age of marriage was usually 12-15 for women and 14 for men. Because of early marriage, the couple often did not have time to get to know each other and had to go through matchmaking or parental orders. The Choson period wedding ceremony was called the grand ceremony (대례 – taerye), which was carried out in 8 steps: Checking the age – The groom’s family checked the date and sent a letter to the bride’s family – The bride’s family sent a reply letter if they agreed – The groom’s family brought the dowry to the bride’s family – After the engagement, the two families would go to the ancestral temple to present the dowry and perform the ceremony for 3 days – The bride introduced herself to her husband’s parents and responded to the dowry – The groom brought the bride to her husband’s house and performed the marriage ceremony.
+ However, today, the rituals in traditional weddings have been simplified. The wedding ceremony is also simple with the couple exchanging vows under the witness of the officiant and guests. The white sorie replaces the traditional hanbok.
+ Matchmaking marriage still exists, especially in modern industrial society, where time for love and dating is gradually becoming a luxury. Couples often come together in two ways: a healthy love relationship that puts human emotions first or through matchmaking, going on a blind date.
– 환갑 (hwangap – complete the year) is a person’s 60th birthday. It is believed that the average life expectancy is very short, so even if you only live until complete the year, it is a great blessing.
Funeral (장례식 – janglye)
In the past, the mourners wore white mourning clothes made of rough fabric that rubbed against the skin, symbolizing grief when a family member died. They would cry from home, during the process of seeing the deceased off to the fields, and until the burial ceremony ended. But later, in modern society, people gradually switched to holding funerals at funeral homes, with the male family members wearing black suits and the female wearing hanbok with white flowers on their heads (somewhat influenced by Western culture).
When visiting a funeral, Koreans usually wear black and send money to comfort the family of the deceased. The money is placed in a white envelope. There is also a list of mourners where people can add their names. Some notes when visiting a funeral in Korea:
+ Wear black clothes to visit the funeral (in the past, the homeowner wore white gauze
+ Leave the condolence money at the entrance of the funeral and take off your shoes before entering the funeral venue.
+ Stand in front of the image to light incense and put it in the incense bowl or put white chrysanthemums (prepared at the entrance) on the altar.
+ Bow towards the image, if male, bow twice, if female, bow four times. Christians do not bow but pray towards the image.
+ Bow and visit the bereaved family. The Korean condolence phrase often says “May the soul of the deceased rest in peace (삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다 – samka koine myeongbokul bimnida).
Death anniversary (제사 – jaesa)
A ceremony to commemorate the deceased, usually held one year after the date of death. In the past, people often prepared delicious food and set up offerings from 1 to 2 am. The eldest son would represent the ceremony. However, preparing food and offerings at night is very difficult, so nowadays Koreans tend to make offerings early in the morning. The ceremony on the exact day of death will last until the fifth generation, after which it will only be held on Chusok (추석 – Mid-Autumn Festival) or a good day chosen with many previous generations of ancestors. The food after the offering is not thrown away, but everyone will share it and eat it together, then visit the grave of the deceased.
Based on the form and objects of worship of Korean people, it can be divided into three basic forms of ancestor worship as follows:
+ 기제/kije (Ancestor’s death anniversary – a ceremony to commemorate the recently deceased. According to old customs, this ceremony is performed in the traditional way, that is, at midnight before the day of death).
+ 차례/charye (A ceremony to commemorate ancestors in the four most recent generations, that is, from the fourth generation back to grandparents and parents. From the fifth generation, offerings are made at the grave every year.
+ 시제/sije (A ceremony to commemorate ancestors from five generations back, performed once a year).
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