Traditions
Often called the "Korean Thanksgiving," this holiday is a time for families to gather and thank their ancestors for a bountiful harvest.
What is Chuseok?
Often referred to as the Harvest Moon Festival, it is one of South Korea's two major family holidays.
What is Chuseok?
When entering a South Korean home, it is customary to remove these.
What are shoes?
This traditional belief system emphasizes duty, loyalty, and respect for elders and ancestors.
What is Confucianism?
Although officially secular, this ethical-philosophical system from China profoundly influences Korean respect for elders and ancestors.
What is Confucianism?
During Seollal (Lunar New Year), family members perform this act of deep, respectful bowing to their elders.
What is Sebae?
This other major family holiday is often mentioned alongside the Harvest Moon Festival.
What is Seollal (Lunar New Year)?
This action is performed when greeting someone, particularly an elder or superior.
What is bowing?
Many Koreans believe that leaving this electrical appliance on overnight will kill the person sleeping in the room.
What is a fan? (Fan Death)
This religion, introduced from India via China during the Three Kingdoms period, was the state religion of the Goryeo Dynasty.
What is Buddhism?
This core value from Confucius' law focuses on showing respect to everyone and is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life.
What is Filial Piety?
This traditional New Year's Day is known as ______ and is a major holiday for family reunions.
What is Seollal?
When receiving an item from an elder, you must do this to show respect.
What is use two hands?
This term refers to the feeling of personal dignity and "face," which is crucial to maintain in Korean social interactions.
What is Kibun (기분)?
While historically lower, this religious group has grown rapidly to become the most popular formal religion in modern South Korea.
What is Christianity?
On the Seollal holiday, it is traditional for family members to wear this specific type of Korean clothing.
What is a Hanbok?
This unofficial holiday on April 14th is aimed at single people who didn't receive gifts on Valentine's/White Day, often spent eating black bean noodles.
What is Black Day?
According to etiquette, you should not stick these vertically into a bowl of rice.
What are chopsticks?
This is the original, indigenous religion of South Korea, involving shamanistic rituals.
What is Korean Shamanism
During the Joseon Dynasty, the government was hostile to Buddhism and elevated this belief system, promoting ancestor worship and strict social hierarchy.
What is Neo-Confucianism?
hese specific rice cakes are a staple food traditionally eaten during the Chuseok holiday.
What is Songpyeon
Observed on October 9, this holiday commemorates the invention of the Korean alphabet by King Sejong.
What is Hangeul Day?
You should avoid writing names in this color, as it is seen as a symbol of death.
What is red?
Koreans may avoid giving gifts in sets of four because the word for four sounds similar to the word for this.
Answer: What is death? (Tetraphobia)
In Buddhism, this type of meditation, or "son" practice, involves intense training and is a cornerstone of Korean temple life.
What is Seon (or Zen)?