Among the Korean folk holidays is Jongwoldaeborum , the fifteenth day of the first month by the lunar calendar. In general, the celebration of the holiday began on the 14th which was called “small full-moon day”, and the 15th, “big full-moon day.”
On the big full-moon day they held various events reflecting their simple desires for good fortune and rich harvest in the year.
Custom of viewing the first full moon
On the evening of the big full-moon day, all people, young and old, would watch the rising full moon.
From olden times, the Koreans enjoyed themselves on the day. All villagers used to go up nearby hills or mountains to enjoy the rising full moon and played various folk games throughout the night.
The custom produced the following sayings.
If a young man was the first to see the moon, he would marry a fine-looking girl in the year, and if a man with no son was the first to see it, he would have a son. So, people conceded the best place to such men so that the latter were the first to see the moon. And when a young man married a beautiful girl or when a man had a son in the year, people said it was because they had seen the moon before anybody else on the day. Meanwhile, they prayed to the moon for their wishes, or predicted the year’s farming, observing the shape, colour and position of the moon.
On the day they played such folk games as torchlight battle, tug of war, kite-flying and turning toy windmills.
Dietary custom
On the day the Koreans had a pleasant time, preparing delicious foods and sharing them with each other. The special dishes for the day included ogokbap (boiled rice mixed with four other staple cereals), yakbap (sweet rice dish), pokssam (rice wrapped in laver or aster), dishes made of edible greens, etc. On the 14th day, they took noodles for lunch in the hope of longevity and, on the morning of the 15th, they drank a cup of cold “ear-quickening wine.”
The celebration of the holiday left fond memories that became topics throughout the year.
Son Chol Un, researcher at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital on February 27.While making the rounds of the h
April 18, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital on February 27.While making the rounds of the h
The Israeli aggressors are now making more undisguised attempts to switch its policy to territorial annexation from territorial
April 18, 2025
The Israeli aggressors are now making more undisguised attempts to switch its policy to territorial annexation from territorial
There is an outdoor booth at the Kwangbok Area Supermarket which is drawing many for its services of Taedonggang beer and instant
April 18, 2025
There is an outdoor booth at the Kwangbok Area Supermarket which is drawing many for its services of Taedonggang beer and instant
The participants in the 9th April Spring People's Art Festival have given performances every day. The East Pyongyang Grand
April 18, 2025
The participants in the 9th April Spring People's Art Festival have given performances every day. The East Pyongyang Grand
In the DPRK many people work with patriotic devotion for the prosperity of their country, although they are different in
April 18, 2025
In the DPRK many people work with patriotic devotion for the prosperity of their country, although they are different in
The DPRK people are significantly greeting the 113th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung , the eternal image of socialist
April 17, 2025
The DPRK people are significantly greeting the 113th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung , the eternal image of socialist
Working people, service personnel, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim
April 17, 2025
Working people, service personnel, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim
In August one year four primary school-age children of the Korean diplomats in an African country were waiting to return home, for
April 17, 2025
In August one year four primary school-age children of the Korean diplomats in an African country were waiting to return home, for
A gala evening of youth and students in Pyongyang took place at Kim Il Sung Square on the evening of April 15 on the occasion of
April 17, 2025
A gala evening of youth and students in Pyongyang took place at Kim Il Sung Square on the evening of April 15 on the occasion of
A dance party of women's union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on April 15, marking the 113th
April 17, 2025
A dance party of women's union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on April 15, marking the 113th
Throughout his revolutionary career President Kim Il Sung (April 15, 1912-July 8, 1994) regarded the foreigners struggling for
April 17, 2025
Throughout his revolutionary career President Kim Il Sung (April 15, 1912-July 8, 1994) regarded the foreigners struggling for
Camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK on the occasion of the most auspicious April holiday of
April 17, 2025
Camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK on the occasion of the most auspicious April holiday of
A spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press
April 17, 2025
A spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press
A delegation of the United Russia Youth Guards led by Anton Zemidov, chairman of its Coordinating Council, on a visit to the DPRK
April 17, 2025
A delegation of the United Russia Youth Guards led by Anton Zemidov, chairman of its Coordinating Council, on a visit to the DPRK
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Indonesian team for the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup took place in Saudi Arabia on
April 17, 2025
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Indonesian team for the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup took place in Saudi Arabia on
Talks were held between Mun Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, and Anton Zemidov,
April 17, 2025
Talks were held between Mun Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, and Anton Zemidov,
Kwajul is one of the traditional dishes favoured by the Korean people. It is well known for its savoury taste from a harmonious
April 17, 2025
Kwajul is one of the traditional dishes favoured by the Korean people. It is well known for its savoury taste from a harmonious
All the people in the DPRK celebrated the 113th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung with joy. An endless stream of the
April 17, 2025
All the people in the DPRK celebrated the 113th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung with joy. An endless stream of the
Youth and students in the DPRK held a meeting to praise the noble virtues of President Kim Il Sung at the Youth League Hall on
April 16, 2025
Youth and students in the DPRK held a meeting to praise the noble virtues of President Kim Il Sung at the Youth League Hall on
North Phyongan Province of the DPRK newly built an instant noodle factory and a schoolchildren's footwear factory in Sinuiju City.
April 16, 2025
North Phyongan Province of the DPRK newly built an instant noodle factory and a schoolchildren's footwear factory in Sinuiju City.
More Articles
