Korea:Traditional Events Welcome First Full Moon of the Year

Korea Celebrates First Full Moon of Lunar New Year



A village of traditional Korean-style houses in the middle of the capital holds events such as: displaying seasoned greens, which Koreans eat on that day; making ogok-bap -- boiled rice with five pulses such as red beans, kidney beans and millet -- and sharing nuts traditionally eaten on the day to ward off boils; as well as games like seesawing and kite-flying.



Cheonggyecheon Plaza will see traditional Korean games such as tuho -- throwing sticks into a barrel -- and the local variety of shuttlecocks, which is played with the feet. Events include writing family precepts and releasing balloons carrying people's hopes. The Cheonggye Stream will also see the revival of a rite where people cross a bridge once for every year of their lives to guard against affliction in their legs. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on a 1 km section between Gwangtong Bridge and Mojeon Bridge. Ganggangsulae, a Korean circle dance, and fireworks will complete the event.

In celebration of Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar year, residents of Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province play jwibul-nori, a traditional game spinning a tin with a fire inside.



The octagonal square on Mt. Namsan will attract 100 elementary schoolchildren who will fly kites and make bamboo strainers which Koreans hang on their doors on the eve of Daeboreum to bring happiness. At Boramae Park, people can also take part in folk games themselves.

Statues representing 10 Korean symbols of longevity will be set up in Insa-dong, Seoul, which is famous for its old-Korea atmosphere and will be accompanied by traditional customs, including people writing their wishes on pieces of paper that are then tied to a string.

Despite teeth-chattering winds, people didn't mind braving the cold weather to observe the first full moon of the year, or Jeongwol Daeboreum, which falls on the 15th day of the first month on the lunar calender.



On this day, Koreans eat ogok-bap or five-grain rice with an assortment of seasoned vegetables such as dried zucchini, eggplants and mushroom. The combination of foods served on Jeongwol Daeboreum is believed to bring good luck and health throughout the year.

The time-honored tradition dates back to the Unified Shilla Dynasty more than a thousand years ago and continues to this day. Hanok Village nestled at the foot of Namsan mountain in the middle of Seoul, offered a chance for people to enjoy many of the rites and culinary recipes that characterize Daeboreum.




Source: During the Daeboreum festival, marking the first full moon of the lunar year, a traditional Korean game called Gossaum (meaning Go battle) is held in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province. The Go is a loop of straw ropes tied up in a knot. The game, during which the town is divided East-West to symbolize male and female, is being held to bring about a good harvest. /Yonhap


Repeating an age-old tradition called "bureom" well-wishers also munched and crunched on peanuts and walnuts. The cracking of hard-shelled nuts and eating them on Jeongwol Daeboreum is believed to keep your face from breaking out and make your teeth stronger. People also pounded mounds of rice dough, played the traditional board game "yutnori" and took turns jumping on a "neolttwigi," an indigenous version of the western seesaw. And it wasn't just Koreans who were out having fun. "I heard a little about that talking with Koreans that today the moon is the brightest and that it's a special holiday here in Korea and has lots of cultural significance," said one foreigner.

In another part of Seoul called Insa-dong, foreigners learned to make Korean kites or "yeon" and had a chance to fly them. From the traditional bangpae yeon to gaori yeon, modeled after a shield and a stingray, Korean kites adorned the sky.

The highlight of Jeongwol Daeboreum, however, is in the evening. People light up the full-moon-lit sky by burning Daljib or "Moon House," made with wooden twigs wrapped with handwritten letters of wishes. And finally, the Daljib is set ablaze as people make wishes to the moon.

Nutty Customs for Daeboreum: the markets are full of foodstuffs associated with the festival such as peanuts, walnuts, red beans, millet and wild vegetables. The signature dish for the festival, which falls this Thursday, is ogok-bap or five different kinds of grain -- rice, Italian millet, Indian millet, red beans and beans.



Choi Myung-lim, a curator at the National Folk Museum of Korea, says some farmers include any crop they grow, since that augurs well for a good harvest of it. People shared ogok-bap with neighbors because they believed that eating the ogok-bap of more than three households would bring them luck throughout a year. According to the Korean Almanac, a book on the changing seasons and customs of Korea, ogok-bap also has a healing effect for children. If their skin turns dark and they lose weight in spring affected by the change of the season, having them share ogok-bap gathered from 100 homes in the neighborhood with a dog will solve the problem -- child and dog should sit face to face and take turns having a spoonful of the dish.

A special gift set of various kinds of nuts and grain for Daeboreum or the first full moon of the new lunar year. Koreans eat nuts or bureum and rice mixed with five different kinds of grain or ogok-bap at the festival, in the belief that it brings health and a good harvest.



After they eat their ogok-bap in the morning, people give it to cattle together with wild vegetables. At that time, it is said, if the cattle eat the ogok-bap first, it will be a fat year, and if the cows eat the wild vegetables first, it will be a lean year. Another saying recommends eating ogok-bap nine times a day, implying the importance of hard work.

On the morning of Daeboreum, Koreans practice bureom, the custom of cracking different kinds of nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, gingko nuts, pine nuts and peanuts. What significance does this custom have? Koreans in old times believed that cracking as many nuts as their age in the morning of Daeboreum prevented them from suffering skin trouble like boils and gave them good teeth. Cho Hoo-jong, a former professor of the Department of Food and Nutrition at Myongji University, said people in the old days practiced the custom to supplement the vitamins and minerals that had been lacking during winter when fresh vegetables and fruit were not available.

Source: Wikipedia
The Chosun Ilbo

Korean Ancient House

Korean Ancient House


When you visit to foreign countries of old history, you will be amazed at old castles they have. At first, we are surprised at the beautiful castle which looks just cut-and pasted from a fairy tale, and amazed again by the fact that it has been coming down for over the hundreds of years. Tourists will continue to visit there, appreciating that how this beautiful castle still remains.

However, Korea also has many traditional buildings coming down through a few hundred. The best one is a Korean-style old house. Although it is not as high as other foreign castles, the whole structure and the view of the house is a piece of the artwork. It is a harmony of Korean style building placement and the composition of natural garden. It is said to be admirable even to the modern architects. From now on, let's go to see the grandeur and beautiful ancient houses representing Korea.




Sunkyeojang in Gangneung



An ancient house Sunkyeojang, located at Gangneung, was originally built by the 11th descendants of Prince Hyo-nyeong, the older brother of King Sejong, and has come down to the present going through the work of enlargement for 10 generations. This is a typical house for the gentry which comprises 99 units of area, and has higher value on its prototype which was preserved almost perfectly for a long period of 300 years. In 2000, the Korea Broadcasting Cooperation chose Sunkyojang as the best traditional house of Korea of 20 century. This place has been drawing people's attention as a film location for various dramas and movies including “Man of the Princess” which recently drew a large popularity. In addition, this place is often shown as a background in many programs on TV, and also became a visiting place for the ministers of tourism of Korea, China and Japan.




(Photo: Korea Tourism Organization)

At this point, there is something which should be clarified. Koreans are familiar with the term, ‘a tile-roofed house with 99 units’. Then, why didn’t they build 100 units, adding one more unit? This was associated with the taboos of the past. Due to the fact that only the palace for a king's residence was allowed to be built more than 100 units of area, so the civilian house was restricted to 99 units utmost since no one could not live in a larger house than King's, as thought to be a general truth of the reason. This is proved by the story that Leem Sang-ok, a wealthy merchant of the latter period of Joseon Dynasty, got all sorts of sufferings from the accusation of building more than 100 units. Reaching to the end of the former Korea, with the regulation becoming disturbed, the cases of building over 100 units of houses gradually increased. However, on the whole, the limit of 99 units has been well kept. By the way the ‘unit’ means the land size not a room.

Sunkyeojang is located in front of the Maewalldang memorial place where you can see after the Gyeongpo intersection and turning left on the Unjung intersection. It opens for public from 9 am to 6 pm in summer, from 9 am and to 5 pm moved up by one hour in winter, and admission fee is 3000 won for an adult. If you come earlier,, you can enjoy the place more comfortably with introduction by commentator. Smoking is prohibited all over the area as the whole buildings were made of wood.

A lodging experience is a representative and practical use of this place. With a large site and many buildings, 9 choices for lodging, from a tile-roofed house for the group to a thatched house for the elegant residence, are prepared without missing anything. Although cooking is not allowed for safety of the building, lower prices and cozy facility is attractive enough.




(Photo: Yonhap News)

Besides, the cultural experience is also very plentiful. Traditional food, folk play, courtesy, and a public performance experience are made ready basically, and a finishing school and calligraphy school are opened on not-permanent standing. And in 2009, a library, holding above 2000 copies, will be made in Yulwhadang, a gusting room in Sunkyeojang, which will introduce visitors to the joy of reading. Moreover, surroundings are full of famous attractions such as Gyungpodae, Jungdongjin, Ojukheon, Odae Mountain., Seorak Mountain, etc. The number of tourists visiting Gangneung continuously increases.




130 Years of History, Songso Ancient House



Before looking into the history of Songso ancient house, we need to look over the history of the Shims of Cheongsong area.
The Shims, started by the originator Shim Hong-bu during the reign of King Choong-yul of Goryeo dynasty, settled in Cheongsong area which became a place of their origin. Their power reached the highest during the reign of King Gong-min and a King Yu. The two prominent figures from the Shims then were brothers, Shim Duk-bu and Shim Uen-bu. The older brother, Shim Duk- bu had served the ministry as a meritorious retainer for the foundation of a country, and the daughter of his fifth son Shim On became an Empress Sohyeon, a wife of the King Sejong in Joseon Dynasty.

On the other hand, the younger brother Shim Uen-bu, unlike his older brother, opposed to the dynasty revolution and went into the Dumundong confining himself at home, and the rest of his descendents also stepped down from the government and came back to their hometown, Cheongsong, following the will of an ancestor. They worked together in cooperation and brought the wealth enough to be one of two richest families with the Choi's of Gyeongju, the southeast region of Korea. The myth of a person who owns fields yielding as much as 10,000 seok of rice over 9 generations, were born from them. Among them, Songso Shim Ho-teak, a 7th generation descendant, built the Songso ancient house in 1880, naming it under his pseudonym.

Songso ancient house has a typical upper-class house configuration of 7 sections and 99 units of area, and with being recognized of the almost perfectly preserved value, was designated as an Nationally Important Folk Material No.250. Having been neglected for 20 years since the descendants left, it was reborn as a hands-on experiencing place of Korean-style house after repaired in July 2010. The change proved to be successful by receiving the best award called, the Star of Korea Tourism, in lodging.




(Photo: Yonhap News)

The look of a tall front gate made of 7 units, standing in the entrance, overwhelms the visitors. Entering the gate, there appears a garden where maple trees and pine trees were planted. Sarangche, men’s space appears on the right side of it. Looking at the view from high above, you will learn that entire place is divided each into spaces for living, working, and welcoming guests. Besides, each building has its own independent yard, so the total is 9.

In Songso ancient house, you can find many interesting details everywhere.
First of all, entering into the tall gate, ‘ㄱ’ shaped-wall, called heotdam, separating wall. It was used to prevent children and women of inside from encountering the male guests visiting sarangche. In addition, when you take a closer look at the Kkotdam, a flower wall, you can find the hole in line with eye-level, which is said to be a hole used for the children and women inside of the house to see the outside. Who knows it could be used vice-versa?




(Photo: Yonhap News)

Also, when you see the roof, a little bit scary picture is painted at the edge. This is said to be the purpose to expel the evil spirit. If you see the upper part, you can see the two holes which were made for the birds to build a nest easily, and recognize the warm heart of ancestors.

Lastly, we will take a look at the byeolche, women’s space, sticking out of the side of Songso ancient house. This place was a space for the unmarried women in Songso ancient house, and the girls over seven years old should move to byeolche and live locked in the place until she gets married. This place was indeed a space for raising the women of a boudoir who hadn’t experienced the outside. However, at present, this place turns to be the most expensive accommodation because of its uniqueness and a harmony with surrounding landscape. How about staying one night here and feeling the mood of the lady who dreamt of a dear future husband?


The Scar Left by Japanese Imperialism, Imcheonggak


Imcheonggak is a unusual Korean-style house in a sense that the present appearance is quite different from the one in the past. In the early days, Imcheonggak stood with a proud of its dignified appearance of 99 units of area. However, since it was found that 9 pro-independence fighters were born in this house, Japanese demolished almost half of the house by putting down the central railroad in the front of the house. In addition, as the descendants refused to add themselves to Japanese family register, Japanese confiscate their house and sold to others. Since then, the descendants had to wander around orphanages.




(Photo: Yonhap News)

Imcheonggak is one of the oldest ancient houses, and used to be outstanding in its scale until 19 century. Built in 1519, its scale has become huge by continuous expansion. It has the board written by Lee Hyun-bo and Lee Hang-bok, the prominent civil ministers in the mid Joseon Dynasty, so we can imagine their high social reputation was.





(Photo: Korea Tourism Organization)


The full figure of Imcheonggak has a flat formation which looks like a Chinese letter, ‘用 (lyong)’’. It tells that it separated each place by gender and social status. Also, Gunjajeong, located at the center of Imcheonggak and later designated as National Treasure, is for welcoming guests, which looks like a letter, ‘丁(jeong)’. This is the best spot to take a view of Nakdong River flowing over the front and the Yeunnam Mountain surrounding the building.

Ancient houses were not built with 99 units of area from the beginning. They got bigger and bigger for a long period of time. It was for practical use rather than ostentation. When the house was crowded with peoples, it needed a lot of rooms for many literary guests and travelers from all over the country as well as for the family, relatives, and the servants to take their own space. Distinguished family always emphasized to welcome their guests. With this, we can see the fact that what they concerned about is a human being rather than property.


The biggest lesson, which the ancient house is giving to us, seems that we should live together, harmonized with others.

Silla’s cultural legacy

Gyeongju, the capital of the nation's ancient kingdom of Silla (57 B.C.-935 A.D.), host a two-month expo on Korea's cultural legacy at the 6th Gyeongju World Culture Expo.

In particular, the event played an important role in the dissemination of Korea’s tradition to international participants and visitors of the 2011 Daegu World Championships in Athletics. One of the world's biggest sporting events took place in the nearby city of Daegu .

Korea’s cultural prowess introduced to the world by hosting the high-quality event.

The expo, held for 60 days at the Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park and other venues around Gyeongju, and also organized around the theme "The Story of a Millennium ― Love, Light and Nature."


The main characteristic of last year’s expo was the incorporation of state-of-the-art technology in introducing Silla's cultural legacy through exhibitions and shows.

The multimedia section presented 3D films and a multimedia showed featuring the Gyeongju Tower, the city’s landmark.
More than 40 countries participated in organizing around 100 programs in four categories ― official events, performances, multimedia and exhibitions, along with other sideline programs.

"Silla produced some of Korea's most important cultural legacy. The expo contributed to informing the world about Korea and to learn about other countries.

Traditional foods from different countries and a folk costume fashion show were held. Hungarian, Russian and Romanian artists reenacted a European festival by offering outdoor performances and events.In addition, there was thematic performances, an international dance festival, street performances, puppet theater, a b-boy and university student festival, and regional culture showcases.

Gyeongju is one of the most popular tourist cities in the nation and also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, 'Haein Temple'. The Buddhist temple houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in “hanja” script carved in the 13th century.

Do you know which Korean Stars Have the Greatest Pulling Power?

Who is the actor in Chungmuro today who can mobilize the greatest number of fans? And just how many tickets can be sold on the basis of that actor's name alone? We asked a group of 12 producers and PR execs that know actors' commercial value best who in Korea can "open" a movie and ranked the top 20 according to the result. It is the fourth survey of its kind and covers any actor who starred in at least one major film.



Clockwise from left: Song Kang-ho, Jang Dong-gun, Cho Seung-woo, Jeon Ji-hyun, Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Young-ae
◆ Top Stars

Song Kang-ho ranked first on the star power list among all actors and actresses. He is thought to have enough gravity to bring at least 1.28 million to the theaters, beating out last year's winner Jang Dong-gun (1.15 million). Proving his worth again this year in the lead of "The Host," Korea's greatest box office success, Song already landed the top spot in 2003. Of 12 experts that took part in the survey, 10 pointed to Song as the actor with the greatest ability to open a film. He ranked second last year.

Amongst women, perennial favorite Lee Young-ae came first with an estimated opening power of some 900,000 viewers. In the last three surveys, the actress came third. Topping the list despite the fact that she has not appeared in a film since last year's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is an additional feat. The failure of films starring last year's no. 1 and 2, Moon Geun-young ("Love Me Not") and Jeon Ji-hyun ("Daisy"), to live up to audience expectations also played a role in Lee's rise to the top.

◆ Familiar Faces

Among those trailing the two were a galaxy of stars in their 30s who managed to improve their standing, led by Jeon Do-yeon (second), Uhm Jung-hwa (ninth), Kim Hye-soo (11th) in the women's category, and Hwang Jung-min (eighth) and Lee Byung-hun (ninth) in the men's. Of particular note is Kim Hye-soo, unable even to make the top 20 last year following a string of appearances in box office disappointments and overall lack of good luck. She soared to 11th this time around after she landed a part that seemed perfect for her in "War of Flowers." In a year when competition was especially fierce, their ranking shows the tried and true commercial value of such stars.

◆ Rising Stars

The biggest surprise was Cho In-sung. Not even included on the list last year, his performance in "A Dirty Carnival" brought him recognition as an actor and the fifth spot on the list. Nos. 3 to 5 on the list Cho Seung-woo, Kang Dong-won and Cho In-sung look like the glue that will hold Chungmuro together. Hyun Bin (16th) and Lee Jun-ki (19th) also garnered plaudits for their parts this year. There were no new female stars on the list, but Song Hye-kyo (14th), Choi Kang-hee (19th) and Ko Hyun-jung (20) were all either in their first film or part of hits that brought them new recognition as actors.

◆ Endangered Species

The two stars whose draw dwindled the most this year were Kwon Sang-woo and Kang Hye-jeong. No. 3 last year, Kwon was not part of any box office successes this year, and found himself amid a swirl of rumors that cost him 10 spots on the list. Rising like a comet last year, Kim Hye-jeong was in the flop "Love Phobia," which sent her plummeting again from fifth to 18th.

Korea to correct Lord Buddha’s birthplace in textbook

Korea will correct the erroneous information regarding the birthplace of Buddha in a textbook beginning in 2013 in response to Nepal’s request.

“Authors of the book admitted to having described Buddha’s birthplace wrongly and have decided to correct it,” said Kang Hyun-tae, a senior researcher at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Kang said the corrected version of the book will be released next year as the books for this year have already been printed.

Nepal’s then Ambassador to Seoul Kamal Prasad Koirala called for the correction in a written petition sent to President Lee Myung-bak in December, claiming Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini is a part of Nepal, not India. (See the front-page story of the Dec. 27 edition of The Korea Times.)

The letter led the government to investigate the issue and recently found a textbook describing Lumbini as a part of India.

Nepal hailed the decision.

“It is a matter of appreciation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea took it seriously and promptly acted upon it,” said Acting Nepali Ambassador to Seoul Rajaram Bartuala.

Korea, which is home to millions of Buddhists, had previously agreed to donate $2 million to build and develop Lumbini as a city of peace. Thousands of Korean tourists visit Lumbini every year on pilgrimages.

Several weeks ago, a senior official of Seoul’s foreign ministry informed Acting Ambassador Bartuala over the phone that the instruction for the correction in the relevant book has already been passed on to the concerned authorities and the corrected version will come out in 2013

A Korean primary school textbook “Ethics Part One” states that Buddha was born in Khapila Castle in India. Similarly, another secondary school book “World History” states that Buddha was born to a Royal Brahmin family and his birthplace has been stated as India.

In the December petition to President Lee, Nepal’s envoy had pointed to the factual inaccuracy about the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni.

“Being aware of its significance and magnanimity of the sentiments of its large (body of) believers, I take this opportunity to state the facts with humble request subsequently for its correction,” Amb. Koirala said in the four-page letter. It added Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal.

The letter says that when India was under the British rule, some British authors had written that Buddha was born in India, which is still believed to be true in many parts of the world. Although we the Indian ever since acknowledge that the Lord Gautam Buddha's birth place Lumbini is in Nepal.

Koirala also said that United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon has shown keen interest in the development of Lumbini. “This place is at a distance of 32 kilometers north of the border of the Republic of India and while writing chronicles about Buddha the facts are on the ground,” the letter read.

Amazing Exploration of East Asian business culture

Chhaya Sivakumar, 27, started her MBA in Yonsei University in July, 2011. She was exposed to many different cultures throughout her life, and came to Korea to explore this rising financial power and generally the world-renowned East Asian culture and life. She hasn't decided future careers she would like to pursue after graduation, but says she wants to seize the day.


Would you introduce yourself?

I am originally from Chennai, southern India, and moved to Dubai when I was five years old. After finishing high school there, I went to college in the U.S. majoring both in Gender Psychology and Financial Accounting. After graduation, I worked in Singapore from 2006 to 2008 as a researcher. Before coming to Korea this summer, I worked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), developing financial contracts with engineering and infrastructure investors. I love traveling around the world and experiencing new and different cultures.

Why did you decide to take an MBA program?

I wanted to extend my geographic expertise, having worked in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. To fill the gap in my technical understanding of supply chain management, personal portfolio analysis, brand equity and entrepreneurship in East Asia. I needed an “All-in-One” degree, nothing too specific. Instead of a master’s degree in any specific subject, I preferred an MBA, which is competitive, holistic and intensive.

Why did you decide to take an MBA in Korea?

While I working for a leading investment advisory to the UAE government, the growing predominance of South Korean consortiums in winning contracts for all major infrastructure and energy companies was glaringly evident to me. I thought studying in Korea would offer the unique opportunity to establish a more informed perspective of the increasing project-related capital transfer between these two regions.

Why is Yonsei so special?

Definitely, it is the truly global nature of our GMBA. When I compare Yonsei’s MBA program to others, the difference is obvious. We are very international.
I cannot imagine having to go through the social exclusion in a class where 90 percent of the students are Koreans and everyone speaks fluent Korean except me. Luckily at Yonsei, 50 percent of our class comes from abroad and almost a third does not speak Korean.
We have many English-language electives and all the staff communicate fluently in English. They enthusiastically help us around bureaucratic procedures, travel plans, general Korea-related matters and much more. Yonsei really cares about us fitting in.

Are there any special activities that the school provides?

We have so many activities — orientation programs, dinner parties with the alumni, “membership training” in rural Korea, field trips to Gyeongju, a company visit to Hyundai Shipyard in Ulsan, folk village experience and hiking in Bukhansan. The list is endless and I have participated in all these activities.

Who is your favorite professor?

Most of my classes here at Yonsei have been taught by experienced, insightful and patient professors. If I had to choose, I would name two positive outliers, Prof. Chang Dae-ryun of Marketing and Prof. Lee Ho-uk of Business Strategy.
When I joined the program, I lacked interests in marketing. I just didn’t feel I was “cut out for it” and couldn’t see what people could learn from the subject. But Prof. Chang converted me.
Even though he is very famous in Korea as a preeminent marketing guru, he is very down-to-earth. His homemade advertisements, self-produced documentaries, quirky comments, funny anecdotes from his vast travel experiences and interesting final projects made it all fun. I loved discovering my creative and aesthetic side in the process.
As for Prof. Lee, he brought business strategies to life. He literally danced, pranced, sang, screeched and drew seminal theories. I think my classmates would agree that his classes are incredibly memorable and he is unbelievably effective as a teacher. Words cannot capture his lectures so I dare not try. However I would highly recommend that you sit in one.

What is your long-term goal?

I do not know where life is taking me and I’m trying to find the goal through this program. It sometimes seems so surreal. But for now I wish to soak it in, enjoy, experience and learn as much as I can about Korea, its culture and people. Indeed the history and energy of this place is contagious. Of course, career aspirations exist but who knows what is in store. Exciting times are ahead.

Interview by Kwon Eun-young

Source: The Korea Times

The Bitter cold makes us look to onset of spring

Those who have studied or are interested in saju or other Oriental cultures related to astrology, would know that Eastern philosophies are based on the lunar calendar. There is a certain tacit definition that Western culture is related to solar energy while it is lunar energy in the Orient. If you are also one of those people, here is a theory that may upset your stereotype.



As mentioned earlier, “change” is a keyword in studying saju. Without this understanding, we cannot comprehend any phenomenon in regards to yin, yang and the five elements. Their true meaning should be reinterpreted. According to Oriental teachings, it is not actually a concept of an “element” ― a compartmental understanding of things. It should rather be “changing stages of being.” The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. So, if we exactly understand their concept, we should focus on their interactions ― mutual generations and restrictions ― and how they balance and change from one to another. It is not only between the two elements but among several of them.

Likewise, when it comes to yin and yang, they should also be translated to cosmic dual forces of harmony instead of two opposite states. Yin and yang co-exist and require each other. Everything in the great cosmos is intertwined. In the stage of highest concentration of yang, there arises a fetal movement of yin, and vice versa. That is the reason why the “taiji” the representative symbol of yin and yang is portrayed as below in diagram A, not B.




Once you understand this correctly, letters in saju can be interpreted with diverse aspects of life.

Let’s go a little bit deeper into its teaching. The philosophy of changing is well represented in saju with its view of time and the seasons. A turning point in one’s life is explained by the force of change from one to another. Therefore those letters that signify in-between seasons are so critical that they usually determine not only momentous occasions but drastic and devastating incidents in our destiny. Many symbols indicating “gods and devils” consist of those letters.

Basically the four pillars or eight letters in saju are acquired by one’s birth year, month, day and time of day. Each is symbolized to either yin or yang, and one of the five elements, respectively. Among them, the month branch is emphasized greatly because it determines the overall environment of one’s life. In classic books, the month branch is defined as a king while the day master is a vassal who must obey his rule. On the one hand, we classify the individual day master and figure out its quality, on the other we must cognize the influence of the month branch and evaluate how the day master works under its climate. What is the month branch? It is when one was born.

Even though the birth year and time exercise great leverage in one’s destiny, the birth month is like a birthplace and the whole life environment.

To decode their meanings correctly, we need to know how ancient people divided a year, on top of seasonal divisions.

In the Orient, they divided a year into 24. They tried to record the change of climate as much as possible, because they had to plan for farming: when to sow, plant, harvest and store crops based on these divisions. Six divisions are allocated in each of the four seasons. They are connected by previous and upcoming seasons organically. In this way, divisions were based on a solar not lunar calendar, as the change of season is more determined by solar than lunar activities. As we must read the climate of one’s life, saju refers not only to the lunar calendar but to the solar divisions of the year. The 24 subdivisions of the seasons are as below.

In Spring:

1. Ipchun : Onset of spring, Feb. 4-5

2. Usu : Beginning of rain (end of snow), Feb. 18-19

3. Gyeongchip : The day on which insects appear from their holes in the earth, March 5-6

4. Chunbun : The spring equinox, March 20-21

5. Cheongmyeong : Clear and balmy days, April 4-5

6. Gokwu : Spring blossom under the rain, April 20-21

In Summer:

1. Ipha : Onset of summer, May 5-6

2. Soman : Green plants cover the earth, May 21-22

3. Mangjong : Bearded grain, June 5-6

4. Haji : Summer solstice, June 21-22

5. Soseo : Beginning of the heat wave, July 7-8

6. Daeseo : Severe summer heat, July 22-23

In Fall:

1. Ipchu : Onset of autumn, Aug. 7-8

2. Cheoseo : Relenting heat, Aug. 23-24

3. Baekno : A wider daily temperature range and dew forms, Sept. 7-8

4. Chubun : Autumnal Equinox, Sept. 23-24

5. Hanro : Cold dew, Oct. 8-9

6. Sanggang : Frost falls, Oct. 23-24

In Winter:

1. Ipdong : Onset of winter, Nov. 7-8

2. Soseol : Moderate snow, Nov. 22-23

3. Daeseol : Heavy snow, Dec. 7-8

4. Dongji : Winter solstice, Dec. 21-22

5. Sohan : Less cold, Jan. 5-6

6. Daehan : Severe cold, Jan. 20-21

Among these 24 subdivisions, “dongji” (Dec. 21-22) and “ipchun” (Feb. 4-5) are more critical periods because they stand for seasons when a new year’s energy flows in and the actual beginning of the year. They are especially important because they are transitional periods for both seasons and years. Due to this fact, many crucial incidents of one’s destiny form and happen during this time of the year.

“Ipchun,” the onset day of spring, falls on Feb. 4, this year. As a saju master, I am meeting more clients because they experience what was destined in the past year and want to know what lies ahead in the coming year. They are just confirming how people are captive within the frame of their destiny.

Information: Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teaching about the “Four Pillars of Destiny?” For further information, visit Janet’s website at www.fourpillarskorea.com, contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com.