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Jeongwol Daeboreum refers to the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar and the first full moon of the lunar year. On this day, traditions and customs are performed to ward off misfortune and to wish for a bountiful year. In 2013, Jeongwol Daeboreum falls on February 24th of the Gregorian calendar. In the morning, people wish for good health and fortune for the year by cracking the shell of a peanut or walnut with their teeth and wish to hear only good news during the year by drinking cheongju, a clear, strained rice wine. To celebrate this first “fullest moon” of the lunar calendar, people also share dishes like ogokbap (boiled rice with five grains) and namul (seasoned vegetables) with their neighbors. Other famous traditions for Daeboreum include jwibulnori and sajanori. Jwibulnori, or playing with fire, involves burning rice fields and vegetable gardens to kill insect pests and to ease cultivation for the coming growing season. Sajanori is the more festive tradition. For sajanori, men form a parade wearing lion masks. Perhaps the most celebrated tradition is dalmaji, which is visiting high places to view the full moon with friends and family. |
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Customs and Traditions of Jeongwol Daeboreum
• Drinking Gwibalgisul: A tradition of drinking cheongju, a cold clear, strained rice wine to wish for good news all year round.
• Cracking bureom: Bureom are nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts, chestnuts, and gingko nuts. A common tradition of Jeongwol Daeboreum is to crack a nut in your mouth early in the morning. This is believed to help strengthen teeth and avoid allergies in the coming year.
• Sharing ogokbap rice: Ogokbap is boiled rice made with five grains. The rice is eaten with various wild vegetables and is shared on the eve of Jeongwol Daeboreum as it is believed to bring good luck.
• Burning daljip: Daljip is a heap of straw or twigs. Burning daljip is a tradition intended to ward off misfortune and bring good luck.
• Jwibullori: Jwibullori is a tradition of burning grass and weeds on dry fields and paddies after sunset in order to kill insect eggs and to fertilize the fields with ashes. The flames lighting up the night sky also make for a spectacular sight to behold.
• Deowipalgi: Deowipalgi literally means "selling of heat." This fun tradition involves visiting a friend or family member and calling his or her name before sunrise. If they respond, they are then told, "Buy my heat!" The buyer is then responsible for absorbing all the heat the seller would have otherwise received in the coming summer.
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Korea's top six places to view the Full Moon
 Seoul> N Seoul Tower
Full moon watching from the best observatory in Seoul
Located on Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower is the most visited observatory and the best place to view the full moon for couples in Seoul. It has an outdoor observatory as well as restaurants and coffee shops. Visitors can also stop by the Teddy Bear Museum and other entertainment facilities in N Seoul Tower, or enjoy a walk in the neighboring park.
☞ Go to N Seoul Tower
☞ Related Info: Night View of Seoul : N Seoul Tower
Gyeonggi-do Gwangju> Namhansanseong Fortress
Enjoy the moonlight from the historic site
Namhansanseong Fortress is located on Namhansan Mountain that spans across three cities in Gyeonggi-do including Gwangju-si, Seongnam-si, and Nam-si. Here, visitors have great views of the full moon from the Sueojangdae command post, as well as night views of the Songpa-gu district of Seoul and the central part of Gyeonggi-do Province. Visit some of the historical sites at Namhansanseong Fortress before enjoying the full moon views.
☞ Go to Namhansanseong Provincial Park
Gangwon-do> Gangneung> Gyeongpodae Pavilion
Full moon reflections on the ocean and lake
Gyeongpodae Pavilion is situated on a hill by Gyeongpoho Lake on Korea’s East Coast. The pavilion offers great views of the sea and the lake. The sight of the moon reflecting on the lake at night is so impressive and inspiring that the pavilion has been visited by scholars and poets for centuries.
☞ Go to Gyeongpodae Pavilion
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Chungcheongnam-do> Seosan> Ganworam Hermitage
Revel in the the moonlit ocean views
Ganworam is a small Buddhist temple in Seosan. It has been said that the Great Master Muhak, the best monk in Joseon Dynasty, found enlightenment here while watching the moon. Ganworam looks like it is floating on the sea during high tide while during low tide, the land under the temple is exposed and it is seen on the land. The Hermitage is a popular for watching the moon as well as sunset.
☞ Go to Ganworam
Jeollanam-do> Yeongam > Wolchulsan Mountain
The full moon rising between mountain peaks
Wolchul literally means, "the rising of the moon.” The view of the moon rising above the peaks of Wolchulsan Mountain is indeed one worth seeing. Though Wolchulsan Mountain rises only 809 meters above sea level, it has several dramatic peaks that join together to create a splendid view. The mountain is a popular place to hike at night during full moon.
☞ Go to Wolchulsan National Park
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Busan> Haeundae Dalmaji-gil Road
Romantic spot for moon watching
Dalmaji-gil Road is situated on Wausan Mountain between Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach. Halfway up the road is Dalmaji Park. Many coffee shops dot the road from Dalmaji Hill to Haewoljeong Pavilion, attracting young couples on a romantic date.
☞ Go to Dalmaji-gil Road
☞ Related Info: Busan City Tour
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| Last updated January 14, 2013 |
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