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Past Spotlights |
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Korean War
Korea gained independence from Japan in August 1945 at the end of WWII. Ideologically split by the U.S. and the Societ Union
into South and North, both sides dreamed of eventual reunification. On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea,
starting a bloody war lasting more than 3 years and involving more than 20 countries.
Learn about the
Korean War. |
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Korean Festivals & Holidays
Korea's long history, agrarian culture, and mix of religions provide a multitude of different festivals and holidays throughout the year.
Some are held according to the Lunar Calendar, some are more regional than others, but most are very colorful and have specific customs
and unique characteristics. Learn about the
Korean Festivals & Holidays.
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Korean Buddhism
Buddhism has a long history, originating in India over 2,600 years ago. Travelers introduced the
religion to Korea around the fourth century A.D. Since that time, Buddhism has greatly influenced
Korean society, culture, and the arts. Although Buddhism's influence over society has declined in
recent years, the devout still make regular pilgrimages to give offerings at temples.
Discover Korean Buddhism. |
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Traditional Alcohol
Every culture has its own traditional alcohols, of which only a fraction are widespread.
German and English beer, Scotch whiskey, French wine, Japanese sake, and Mexican tequila
are known the world over. What about Korea, a country famous not for its alcohol but its
reclusiveness and secrecy? Worldwide, alcohols have developed with idiocyncratic original
charateristics. Europe has the perfect conditions for a viniculture that produces fine
wines and dry Mexico makes Tequila out of cactus plants. Korea has created unique alcohols
using rice malt. Discover Korea's
Traditional Alcohol. |
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Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the symbol of the ideological dispute between North and South Korea and poignant
reminder of the Korean War (1950-53), winds 155 miles across the Korean Peninsula. The last remaining vestige
of the Cold War, the closed border region between North and South Korea highlights the fact that the Korean War
did not end. An uneasy truce continues between the antagonists, but no peace treaty has ever been signed. Review
the Korean War and the various parts of the DMZ. |
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Korean Traditional Embroidery
Traditional Korean handicrafts have been rapidly disappearing in modern times. Traditional embroidery
had almost completely disappeared. Fortunately, the method and artistry found during the Joseon Dynasty
has been restored. It is believed that the Korean people used embroidery quite early in its history, but
historical records only give evidence during much later periods. Discover
Korean Traditional Embroidery. |
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Taekwondo
Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific of Korean traditional martial arts. It is a
discipline that not only emphasises physical expertise, but also enhances ones spirit and life through
training ones body and mind. Although developed through Korea's 5,000-year history, it is also a modern
sport that has gained an international reputation and is now included among the official sports in the
Olympic Games. |
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Rice Cakes (Deok)
Korean traditional cakes have long been shared among neighbors and friends on
many occasions of happiness and sorrow. The cake shape, content, and color vary from one region
to another. More than just another way of using rice, rice cake culture has a long history. Rice
cakes have found their ways into many different Korean customs and traditions. Each year, the city
of Kyongju holds a festival to celebrate the traditions of rice cakes. |
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Samulnori basically means
"four instruments" and refers to the four instruments (kwaengwari, jing,
janggu, buk) played by the musicians. With roots in Buddhist and folk music, the
style has changed through the years and evolved in different ways. Samulnori also refers
to the name of the traditional musical group (debuted in 1978) founded by Kim Duk Soo. This
group did much to revive interest in Korean traditional arts. |
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Traditional Patterns and Symbols
Korean people traditionally adapted to and found meaning in the order of nature. Wanting
to teach the hidden meanings of nature to their children and believing them as law and
order in their daily lives, they created beautiful and diverse patterns. These patterns can
be found almost everywhere you look in Korea, from the Taegeuk in the national flag
to the animal designs on chopsticks in restaurants. Many symbols are similar to the
Chinese characters for luck, fortune, longevity, and fertility. |
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Traditional Court Clothes
The clothes of the ruling class were much more ornate and expensive than
the clothes worn by the lower classes. Certain types of clothing and special colors were
reserved only for those of the royal family. Symbols and patterns denoted various levels
within the government hierarchy. Crowns and other headdresses could only be worn by royal
family members. Korea's various dynasties had differing styles. |
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Village Guardians
In rural areas, most villages had some sort of guardian to protect
against evil spirits. Villages would hold offerings during certain times throughout
the year to ask for good crops, protection from disease, and even male children. Shapes
and sizes ranged from small hand-sized paintings to human-sized poles (similar to North
American totem-poles) to large mounds of rocks tightly piled over 2 meters high. Types
varied from region to region. |
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Traditional Tools and Utensils
Many Korean traditional tools and utensils look very similar to those found in other
agricultural societies: stone mills for grinding grains into powder, weaving looms for making
clothes, and measuring tools for dispensing agricultural products. Korea also has many tools
and utensils made from bamboo and straw. |
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Kimchi- Korea's Food
Although most people think of kimchi as Korea's firey hot and
red food, there exist dozens of different types of kimchi. Some recipes call for
little or no red pepper powder, so not all types are spicy. (In fact, kimchi developed
long before the red pepper was introduced to Korea.) Because of the its ingredients
and fermentation process, kimchi has many nutrients. Over the years, Koreans have
created many types of foods from kimchi. |
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Child's First Birthday (Tol)
Until recent times, the death rate for children in Korea was extremely
high. Many children died very young, not even surviving the first year of life. Those
who lived to see their first birthday generally survived past childhood. As a result,
the first birthday marked a major milestone in a child's life. The ceremony of the
Tol celebrates the child's life with praying for longevity, preparation of
special food to be shared with family members and neighbors, and a special event which
is supposed to foretell the child's future. |
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Traditional Marriage
As in any culture, marriage in Korea represents one of the major stages of ones life. The
traditional ceremonies surrounding the event have deep Confucian roots, symbolizing the
importance of the families involved. Ceremonies have some differences according to the
region where they are performed and the social status of the participants, but they all
follow the same basic format. |
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Traditional Clothing
Korean traditional clothing is both brilliant in its bright colorings and subdued in its flowing
lines and the way it hides the body shape. The colorful national costume hanbok is often
worn during national holidays and festive occassions. The designs and colors of the various forms
represent the rich culture and society of traditional Korea. |
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Lunar New Year
Although Koreans use both the solar and lunar calendars, the Lunar New Year (Seol-nal in
Korean) traditionally holds more importance than its solar counterpart. During this 3-day holiday,
most people gather together with their entire families in their hometowns. The holiday includes
many traditions for food preparation and ancestor worship. |
