Bo-reum

Bo-reum (보름) refers to the full moon in Korean. More specifically, it commonly refers to the first full moon of the lunar new year, celebrated as Jeongwol Daeboreum (정월대보름).

Significance:

Bo-reum, particularly Jeongwol Daeboreum, holds significant cultural and agricultural importance in Korean society. In traditional agrarian communities, the full moon symbolized abundance and prosperity. The celebrations and customs associated with Bo-reum are meant to ensure a bountiful harvest and good health for the coming year.

Customs and Traditions associated with Jeongwol Daeboreum:

• Dalmaji (달맞이): Watching the moon rise, making wishes for the new year.

• Bureom (부럼): Cracking nuts (such as peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts) with one's teeth, to prevent skin ailments and promote good health. The act of cracking the nuts is accompanied by the chant "Bureom!"

• Ogokbap (오곡밥): Eating a dish of five-grain rice, made with ingredients like rice, beans, millet, sorghum, and barley.

• Gwibalgi Sori (귀밝이술): Drinking "ear-brightening wine" (usually cheongju or rice wine) in the morning, believed to improve hearing and bring good news.

• Daeboreum Noreum (대보름 놀음): Various folk games and performances, such as Jisinbalgi (밟기, treading on earth spirits), Ganggangsullae (강강술래, a circle dance performed by women), and kite flying.

• Daljip Taeugi (달집태우기): Burning a "moon house" made of straw, symbolizing the expulsion of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune. The direction of the smoke is often interpreted to predict the quality of the harvest.

• Nolttwigi (널뛰기): A traditional Korean seesaw game, often played during festivals.

Modern Observance:

While many traditional practices are less common in modern Korea, Jeongwol Daeboreum is still celebrated as a cultural holiday. Many people continue to eat ogokbap and bureom, and some communities hold folk festivals to commemorate the day.