Hansik
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hansik | |
|---|---|
| Hangul: |
한식
|
| Hanja: |
寒食
|
| Revised Romanization: | Hanshik |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Hansik |
Hansik, literally meaning "cold food," is a Korean holiday falling on the 105th day after the winter solstice (April 5 by the Gregorian calendar). At this time of year, the sky becomes clearer and buds sprout in the field. Farmers sow various seeds and supply water to their rice paddies.
The custom of eating cold food on this day is believed to originate from a Chinese legend, but recently this custom has disappeared. In modern version of Hansik is to welcome the warm weather thawing the frozen lands. On this day, rites to worship ancestors are observed early in the morning, and the family visits their ancestors' tombs to tidy up.
Since this day coincides with Arbor Day, public cemeteries are crowded with visitors planting trees around the tombs of their ancestors.
