Koreans have a custom of eating Tteokguk (rice cake soup) to celebrate the New Year.
The act of eating Tteokguk is often said to symbolize gaining another year of age.
But why do Koreans eat Tteokguk during the New Year?
According to the Korea Traditional Food Institute, the exact origins of eating Tteokguk during Lunar New Year are unclear. However, it is documented in historical records such as Dongguk Sesigi and Yeolyang Sesigi, books from the late Joseon period that detail Korean seasonal customs. These records describe Tteokguk as an essential offering during New Year ceremonies and a key dish for festive gatherings.
Writer Choi Nam-seon, in his book Common Knowledge of Joseon, explains that the custom is an ancient tradition with roots in sacrificial rites held during prehistoric New Year festivals. He suggests that Tteokguk represents the sacred and pure qualities required for a new beginning.
The New Year, symbolizing the renewal of heaven and earth, was a day to celebrate with purity, and white rice cakes were seen as a reflection of this ideal.
There are other interpretations as well, including the belief that eating Tteokguk is a wish for wealth. This is attributed to the shape of the rice cakes used in the soup. The sliced oval pieces resemble yeopjeon (traditional Korean coins), symbolizing prosperity and financial fortune for the coming year.
Tteokguk is also eaten with wishes for health and longevity.
The long shape of Garaetteok (the cylindrical rice cake used in the soup) is thought to represent longevity, reflecting the hope for a long and healthy life.
For Korean shopping and business agency services
Comments