Korea

KoreaLand of the Morning Calm

South korea

Korean cultureBowingis equivalent to the handshake in Korean culture. Bowing means showing gratitude and respect to the person you are meeting with. The younger generations have blended the western culture with their native culture by shaking hands after bowing to each other.Giftshave remained an integral part of their culture; however, gifts are always given according to the capacity and affordability of the other person because Koreans firmly believe in reciprocating. The quantity or numbers also add value to your gifts; seven is considered as a lucky number so anything in multiples of seven will be accepted heartily. However, they avoid giving anything that falls in the multiple value of four because Koreans consider four as an unlucky number. Red, yellow and pink colors denote happiness and prosperity in the Korean culture. The use of white, black or green colors for wrapping is offensive and must be avoided.

Korea is a drinking culture, and their national booze is soju, a clear, vodka-like drink.Soju is drunk out of shot glasses, and like all liquor in Korea, its always served with food. Koreans drink in boisterous groups, regularly clinking glasses, while shouting geonbae! (cheers) and one shot-uh! Koreans have strict drinking etiquette: never pour your own drink, and when pouring for someone older than you, put one hand to your heart or your pouring arm as a sign of respect

AKorean marriagedoes not mean the union of two individuals only, but also the unification of two families and two different lifestyles. Matchmaking with the help of matchmakers (Eui Hon), wedding parade on a pony, bowing to the members of family (Gyobaerye), couple drinking from the same cup (Hapgeunrye) and bridal procession (Wugwi) are major rituals of a traditional Korean marriage.Kimchi is sliced cabbage, fermented with red chili sauce and anchovy paste. It is pungent, spicy, and sour. Koreans love it and eat it with every meal usually on the side though they also use it as an ingredient in countless other dishes.Kimchi is symbolic of Korean culture: its strong, distinctive, and defiant. Some foreigners cant stomach it, but if you can, you will earn the locals heartfelt respect.

Kimchi and Soju

Korean marriage

Korean traditionsTraditional clothes are the pride of the Korean people.Hanbokis the name given to traditional Korean attire. It is worn in marriage ceremonies, family functions and traditional festivals. It is also the official government and national dress in Korea. People of all ages wear it with pride because it is one of the emblems of their cultural identity.Korean food and drinksadd flavor to their traditional lifestyle and rice malt served with kimchiis their specialty. Cold noodles,bibimbap,bulgogianddakgalbiare some of the world famous Korean dishes. However, dining and eating means following a strict protocol. No indoor farewells, the removal of shoes before entering the house or dining room, and most importantly, only male hosts will serve the drinks.

Koreans usually eat their rice with a spoon, and they never raise the rice bowl off of the table towards their mouths. Also, chopsticks must never be left sticking out of the rice bowl, as this do any less is a sign of great disrespect. Koreans the way rice is offered to the dead.When entering a Korean home, you must remove your shoes. To resembles have a special relationship with their floor, on which they sit and often sleep. A dirty floor is intolerable in a Korean home, and they view Westerners as backward savages for remaining shod in our living rooms.

Respect to Parents and Ancestors Koreans have a long tradition of valuing the knowledge an experience of their parents and grandparents. Ancestral ceremonies are held in honor of deceased parents several times a year, for three previous generations: parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Such ceremonies are only performed for paternal ancestors.Korean fan dancing are a combination of politics and religion. The court of the Cho-Sen dynasty was the basis for the intricate costuming and very precise movements. However, the movements themselves evoke natural phenomena, from the color and fringes of the peony-colored fans, to the many formations that recall blooming trees, flowers, and natural waves. This choreography and costuming are closely related to the shamanic religious tradition of the Korean spiritual beliefs.

Korean dance

Table practice

Bibimbap, bulgogi and dakgalbi

hanbok

Korean BeliefsKorean people will generally have an age of 1-2 years older than someone elsewhere who was born in the same year. When a Korean is born, they are automatically considered one year old. Many Koreans then consider themselves one year older on January 1st.

Buddhismis the main religion in Korea and its teachings reflect in Korean lifestyle, culture and arts. Numerous Buddhist statues, monuments and temples have been included in the National Treasure and Monument list by the government.Yungdrungis major symbol of Korean Buddhism and it can be seen outside temples and religious places in Korea.Buddhism

THE END ~ !Kamsahamnida