Korea New Years

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South Korean New Years Koreans celebrate each new year as a new start, and is a chance to step forward in the right direction. The Korean new year is known as seolnal, and the root soel in means to be careful. Seolnal is the start of gujeong the lunar new year. Gujeong translates as the old new year. Japan celebrates the solar new year on January first. Until Koreas indepence in 1945, Japanese imposed their solar new year, or the new new year. Once Korea gained its independence, they returned to celebrating the lunar new year. After Korea's independence, Koreans went back to celebrating the lunar new year. This is why the lunar new year is referred to as the old new year. The lunar new year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which means that new year fell on February 3rd in 2011, and will occur on January 23rd 2012. The Korean new year is a three day holiday, in which time families will meet, respects are paid to their ancestors, and feasts are prepared. Preparations for new years explode during new years eve. New years eve, called “Sut dal kum mum[,]” is when families will do a thorough house cleaning (clickasia.co.kr). Korean tradition for beginning soelnal starts with a fresh clean house. The house is decorated with colorful light ornaments. In the evening Koreans will take a bath to clean themselves, and rid themselves of any troubles of the previous year. Tradition restricts sleeping new years eve. This act is known as “je yah” (clickasia.co.kr). Staying away till sunrise is to receive the new year with awaken eyes and brightness. During this night the ornaments are lit up throughout the entire house. Along with the ornaments Bamboo sticks are burnt. The cracking sound of the bamboo scares off any demons in the house. As a sign of appreciation, Koreans will greet their elders with a large bow. This is the last ceremony, on last day, of the
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