Dol or doljanchi is a Korean tradition that celebrates the birthday of a one-year-old baby. This ceremony blesses the child with a prosperous future and has taken on great significance in Korea. The birthday babies wear a hanbok and a traditional hat: a jobwai or gulle for baby girls and a bokgeon or hogeon for baby boys.
History of Dol
In the past, the death rates for children were high and many children died before their first birthday, so it was an important milestone to the baby and parents. The whole village used to celebrate a baby's first birthday, sharing foods and wishing for long life and fortune for the baby.Ritual and Food of Dol
Food plays a big part in a child’s dol janchi. Special dishes are served such as miyeok-guk a seaweed soup, tteok rice cake, and fruits. The highlight of the festivities occurs when it’s time for the dol jabi ritual. During this time a low table is brought out for the baby with several items on it which represent the path the child’s future life will take if she or he grabs it. Typically the following items are used.
A pencil: Which means the child will be a scholarly academic.
Money: Which means the child will be wealthy.
A string: Which means the child will live a long life.
A bowl of rice: Which means the child will have food and shelter.
Money: Which means the child will be wealthy.
A string: Which means the child will live a long life.
A bowl of rice: Which means the child will have food and shelter.
Cy celebrated his birthday on June 27th. We just found out the object he picked up....A PENCIL!
Pencil: Which means the child will be a scholarly academic.
Awesome!
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