From olden times, the Korean people joyfully celebrated the first day of the first month by the lunar calendar.
They kept their houses clean inside and outside, decorating walls with paintings, and prepared new clothes and special dishes on the eve of the lunar New Year’s Day.
When the day dawned, people were busy with different things.
First, they paid homage to their deceased ancestors and then made deep bows to seniors of their families in the order of age.
Young people went to make a deep bow to seniors in the village, and elder relatives and teachers.
Such manners originated from the fact that the Koreans have respected their seniors and valued etiquette since ancient times.
That day, all the family members gathered in the house of the eldest to enjoy holiday dishes. They also served neighbours on a visit to their house with the dishes, deepening mutual harmony.
Typical dishes include ttokguk (rice-cake soup), chalttok (glutinous rice cake), solgittok (steamed rice cake in layers), pancakes, confectionery, sujonggwa (fruit punch) and others. In particular, ttokguk is a must on the table on this day.
Folk games make the atmosphere of the day more pleasant.
Typical games include yut (four-stick) game, Korean chess, kite-flying, sleighing, toy pinwheel turning and shuttlecock kicking.
Such customs reflect the ennobling manners and customs of the Korean people who aspire to purity, respect the elders, value etiquette and live optimistically.
This year, lunar New Year’s Day falls on January 22.
More From Naenara (En)
A friendship gathering for staff members of the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang took place at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area
February 16, 2026
A friendship gathering for staff members of the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang took place at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area
The Paektusan Secret Camp is a secret base that the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung used as the centre of activities of the
February 16, 2026
The Paektusan Secret Camp is a secret base that the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung used as the centre of activities of the
Today the Korean people are significantly celebrating the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Born on Mt Paektu on
February 16, 2026
Today the Korean people are significantly celebrating the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Born on Mt Paektu on
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
February 16, 2026
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 was held with splendour at theatres and halls across the country on
February 16, 2026
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 was held with splendour at theatres and halls across the country on
Women’s union officials and members in the DPRK met at the Hall of Women in Pyongyang on February 13 to celebrate the 84th birth
February 15, 2026
Women’s union officials and members in the DPRK met at the Hall of Women in Pyongyang on February 13 to celebrate the 84th birth
An oratorical meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall on February 13 to mark the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il
February 15, 2026
An oratorical meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall on February 13 to mark the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il
Art group members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace gave a performance “Song of Happiness Resounding in the Sky of Februa
February 15, 2026
Art group members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace gave a performance “Song of Happiness Resounding in the Sky of Februa
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 opened in the DPRK to mark the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim
February 15, 2026
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 opened in the DPRK to mark the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim
The people in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality, Kusong City of North Phyongan Province and Ryonggang County of Nampho
February 15, 2026
The people in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality, Kusong City of North Phyongan Province and Ryonggang County of Nampho
Last December regional-industry factories were inaugurated in succession in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK. As a result,
February 15, 2026
Last December regional-industry factories were inaugurated in succession in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK. As a result,
The DPRK is filled with excitement as modern regional-industry factories sprang up in 40 cities and counties together with hospita
February 14, 2026
The DPRK is filled with excitement as modern regional-industry factories sprang up in 40 cities and counties together with hospita
The 25th National Youth and Children’s Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
February 14, 2026
The 25th National Youth and Children’s Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
The artistic motivation team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers gave
February 14, 2026
The artistic motivation team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers gave
The photo exhibitions "Holding aloft the banner of self-reliance" are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK to
February 14, 2026
The photo exhibitions "Holding aloft the banner of self-reliance" are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK to
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the lunar New
February 14, 2026
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the lunar New
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
February 13, 2026
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
February 13, 2026
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
February 13, 2026
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
February 13, 2026
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
More Articles
