Jan 28, 2017
Lunar New Year 2017 (South Korea)
This Doodle’s Key Themes
With fresh fruit, colorful kites, and pouches full of gifts, today’s Doodle welcomes the Year of the Rooster.
A time of celebration with family and friends, Lunar New Year falls on the first new moon between January 21 and February 20 each year. While this means the date is always changing, the traditions surrounding the holiday have long been the same. In Korea, families usually start preparing a week in advance by making food, purchasing gifts, and planning their travels home.
Once New Year’s Day arrives, Koreans kick off the festivities by honoring their ancestors. This is followed by a meal where tteokguk, a traditional soup filled with rice cakes, beef, eggs, and other ingredients is served. Family members then exchange presents and participate in a variety of folk games, including jegichagi, where you try to keep a small object afloat using only your foot, and tuho, where you aim arrows into a narrow-necked wooden jar.
As loved ones come together for good food and friendly competition, here’s to a happy and healthy new year!
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