First Full Moon Day

The Korean people have observed the first full moon day (January 15th of the lunar calendar) as a folk holiday every year together with the lunar New Year’s Day and Chusok (Harvest Moon Day).

The people have greeted the moon on the evening of the full-moon day while hoping for rich harvest and happiness.

Various folk games are played on the day. Typical of them are kite-flying, pinwheel and tug-of-war.

Boiled rice admixed with four other staple cereals, sweet rice dish, laver-wrapped rice and dishes made of nine kinds of dried edible herbs are popular as the festive food.

The custom of greeting the moon on the first full moon day was registered as national intangible cultural heritage.

This year, the January 15th of the lunar calendar falls on February 12.

Rodong Sinmun