Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, falls in mid-September. This is a time to celebrate the harvest and honor the ancestors. Many people travel to their birthplace or ancestorial homes to connect with family.
Chuseok is often compared to the American Thanksgiving but they are quite different in origin and customs.
History of Chuseok
Chuseok has pagan origins celebrating the Harvest Moon and giving thanks to local deities and nature spirits. Over time this became a festival with games and contests. Weaving, archery, and martial arts were often demonstrated.
Honoring Ancestors
Just like many of our western fall harvest holidays such as Samhain, Chuseok is a time to honor and pay respects to the spirits of their ancestors.
Seongmyo is the time when families go to the gravesites or shrines of their ancestors. In addition to offering prayers and thanks, they pull weeds and make the site attractive.
A memorial service called Charye, takes place to honor the family’s ancestors. A feast is prepared and the ancestors are served first. Then family members join in.
Food during Charye is often placed on the table to acknowledge the elements. An example of one region is to place rice and soup in the north. Fruits and vegetables to the south, the west is for meats, and the east is reserved for drinks.
Read our blog about the Chinese lunar goddess Heng-O.
Celebrating Today
Feasting is a large part of this holiday. Traditional rice cakes called Songpyeon are baked in a half- moon shape. The word songpyeon means pine tree and the dish is steamed over a bed of pine needles.
A traditional white wine called Yihwaju comes from rice.
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Songpyeon, Photo by Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service
Both board games and outdoor games are popular.
Modern Koreans often go to see a play or other artistic events during the holiday.
Chuseok is also a time to exchange gifts. Food is often given as a gift to friends and family. Both homemade dishes and purchased gift baskets are popular.
Heng-o is the Chinese goddess of the moon. She is married to Hou Yi, the archer, and lives in a palace on the moon with her pet hare, Yu Tu.
The legend of Hang-o and Hou Yi is one of the most famous mythical romances of ancient China and is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival.