Chilseok facts for kids

Chilseok (Hangul: 칠석) is a special Korean traditional festival. It happens on the seventh day of the seventh month. This is based on the Korean lunisolar calendar. The festival comes from the Chinese Qixi Festival.

Chilseok is a time when the hot summer starts to cool down. It is also when the Wet season often begins. The rain that falls during this time is called Chilseok water. People used to offer fried pumpkins to the Big Dipper. This was because pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons grew well then.

The Story of Chilseok

A Heavenly Love Story

The story behind Chilseok is a romantic Chinese folk tale. Koreans adopted this beautiful tale. It is about a princess named Jiknyeo (Hangul: 직녀; Hanja: 織女). She was a very skilled weaver.

One day, Jiknyeo looked out her window. She saw a young herder named Gyeonu (Hangul: 견우; Hanja: 牽牛). He was just across the Milky Way. Jiknyeo fell in love with him right away. Her father, the heavenly king, allowed them to marry.

The King's Anger

After they got married, Jiknyeo stopped weaving clothes. Gyeonu also stopped taking good care of his cows and sheep. The king became very angry with them. He ordered the couple to live separately. They were only allowed to meet once a year.

The Bridge of Birds

The couple could meet only on the seventh day of the seventh month. They were always excited to see each other. But they could not cross the wide Milky Way. So, crows and magpies helped them. These birds worked together to form a bridge. This bridge allowed Jiknyeo and Gyeonu to cross the Milky Way.

After their yearly meeting, sadness returned. They had to wait another whole year to see each other again. People believe that crows and magpies have no feathers on their heads. This is because the couple stepped on their heads to cross the bridge. If it rains on Chilseok night, people say it is the couple's tears.

Chilseok Customs

Traditional Foods and Baths

On Chilseok, Koreans have special traditions. Many people take baths for good health. It is also common to eat certain foods. People traditionally enjoy wheat flour noodles. They also eat grilled wheat cakes.

Chilseok is known as the last chance to enjoy wheat-based foods. This is because the cold winds after Chilseok can change the taste of wheat. People also used to eat miljeonbyeong (밀전병). These are a type of wheat pancake. Another traditional food is sirutteok. This is a steamed rice cake covered with azuki beans.

See also

In Spanish: Chilseok para niños

• Korean calendar
• Qixi Festival
• Tanabata
• Dumuzid
• Inanna
• The Heavenly Maiden and the Woodcutter