Doljanchi facts for kids
| Doljanchi | |
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Quick facts for kids Korean name |
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| Hangul |
돌 or 돌잔치 or 돐 or 돐잔치
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| Revised Romanization | dol or doljanchi |
| McCune–Reischauer | tol or toljanchi |
Dol or doljanchi is a special Korean tradition. It celebrates a baby's very first birthday. This important party blesses the child. It wishes them a happy and successful future.
Babies celebrating their dol wear a traditional Korean outfit called a hanbok. Girls might wear a jobawi or gulle hat. Boys often wear a bokgeon or hogeon hat.
Contents
Why the First Birthday is Special
Long ago, it was much harder for babies to survive. Many children did not live to see their first birthday. Because of this, reaching one year old was a huge event. It was a very important milestone for both the baby and their parents.
The whole village would celebrate a baby's first birthday. Everyone shared food and wished the baby a long life. They also wished for good fortune. People believed this day could even hint at what the child would become when they grew up.
Doljabi: Guessing the Future
The most exciting part of the dol party is a custom called doljabi (돌잡이). During this game, the baby sits in front of a table. On the table are different objects. These might include string, paint brushes, ink, or money.
The baby is then encouraged to pick up one object. People believe the item the child chooses will tell their future. For example:
- If the baby picks up a paint brush or a book, they might become very smart.
- Choosing money means they could be wealthy.
- Picking up food suggests they will always have enough to eat.
- If the child picks up thread, it is believed they will live a long life.
These items were common in homes long ago. Today, parents might add modern items to the table. But many still prefer the traditional choices. After the doljabi game, everyone enjoys a feast. There is also singing and playing with the baby. Guests often give gifts to the parents for the child. These gifts can be money, clothes, or gold rings.
Special Dol Food
At home, families thank Samshin. These are three gods believed to care for the baby as they grow. They serve plain rice, seaweed soup, and rice cakes.
For the party, parents set up a special Dol table. Food is piled high on this table. This symbolizes a life full of good things for the baby. The table usually has pretty rainbow-layered rice cakes. It also features seaweed soup and fresh fruits. Miyeok guk (seaweed soup) is served on every birthday after the first. This reminds people of their mother's efforts to bring them into the world.
Modern Doljanchi Parties
Today, doljanchi parties are often held in restaurants or event halls. Parents prepare fun prizes for their guests. When guests arrive, they often get a piece of paper with a number.
During the party, guests might answer questions about the baby. If they answer correctly, they win a prize. Sometimes, the host or an entertainer will call out a random number. The person with that number also wins a prize.
Another popular game is guessing which item the baby will choose during the Doljabi game. Guests can bet on an item to win a prize. It makes the fortune-telling game even more exciting!
See also
In Spanish: Doljanchi para niños
