Seollal (Lunar New year) 2007

Seollal, is the Korean name for Lunar New Year (or Lunar New Year’s day, I’m not sure). At any rate, it's a colossal celebration here in Seoul. Businesses close for days at a time, people travel to be with family, special foods are prepared, special clothes are worn and ancestors are honored. I went where many other Korean’s went on this day, to Gyeongbokgung. That is: the primary palace of the Jeoson Dynasty. It was fun, made even better with plenty of sunshine and lots of folks dressed up in traditional clothing.

Gyeongbok Palace

A very colorful style of architecture

A Blue Dragon

There are many stone carvings here that represent real or mythical animals. I promise to do a posting about them when I can get some more information. It's safe to say that they are guardians of the palace.

The King sat here

Traditional clothing

It would seem that people delighted in wearing their traditional costumes. I’m saying that because I talked to one woman who was very happy about wearing her traditional dress today. I saw a teenage girl carefully attend to her dress so one of the bows was just right. This culture seems to lack the cynicism of the west. Korean sincerity is such a beautiful quality; I sure hope they are able to preserve it.

A young boy

An elaborate dress

Father and daughter

In one area everyone was playing games. Traditional games I suppose. There were also areas set up for arts and crafts.

These girls were on a sort of stand up teeter totter

A Hakisak game

This family was playing hakisak. It’s a game you play in a circle and kick a small ball with your foot. The object is to keep the ball from hitting the ground. I tried it but it takes practice to even be a little bit good at this game.

Are they playing the game of Go?

Throw the stick in the cup

This game just isn't easy

A spinning top game

This game requires that you keep the top spinning by hitting it with a stick. Man, these Korean’s really go in for some tough games!

A mysterious pile of rocks and totems

This totem scares away evil spirits

Most ancient religions seem to be focused on dealing with evil spirits or spirits of the departed. An interesting feature of Seollal is that it temporarily suspends that idea and lets down the guard so ancestors can come and visit with the family.

The gang I was with decided to let down our guard too and have some barbequed chicken on a stick. Now that's living!