Doljanchi

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Doljanchi

Korean name

Hangul	돌 or 돌잔치
Hanja	none
Revised Romanization	dol or dol janchi
McCune-Reischauer	dol or dol janchi

Dol or Dol janchi is a Korean traditional way of celebrating the birthday of a one-year-old baby. This ceremony is to bless a newborn baby to have a prosperous future and has taken significant place in Korea. The birthday babies wear hanbok and a traditional hat; jokdori (족두리) for baby girls and nambawi (남바위) for baby boys for the day.

The first birthday of a child is called dol. The highlight of the dol is a "ritual" where the child is placed in front of a table of foods and objects such as string, books, brushes, ink and money. The child is then urged to pick up an object from the table, where it is believed the one selected will foretell the child's future career. For example, if the child picks up a brush or book, he is destined to be a scholar. If he picks up money or rice, he will be wealthy; cakes or other food, a government official; a sword or bow, a military commander. If the child picks up the thread, it is believed he will live a long life. This is followed by feasting, singing and playing with the toddler. Most often guests will present gifts of money, clothes, or gold rings to the parents for the child at this time.

1 What is 'Dol'
2 The Origin of 'Dol'
3 'Dol' costume
4 'Dol' table
5 'Doljabi'
6 External links

[edit] What is 'Dol'

'Dol' is the celebration of a baby's first birthday. It is a big event for a Korean family. Because medicine was less developed in the past, it was not easy for babies to live for one year. So on the baby's first birthday, people offered their hearty congratulations to the baby and celebrated with a party. It became a custom and it has descended to this day. For this party, the baby's parents invite friends, relatives, and acquaintances. and everyone brings gifts such as a gold ring, clothes, silver spoon and chopsticks. And the family share the food with guests and neighbors.

[edit] The Origin of 'Dol'

In the past, the death rate of babies was high because of the lack of medical knowledge and the danger of disease. So the first birthday meant that the baby had passed a milestone in its life. A 'Dol' party was celebrated in every family from royal family to a private citizen.

There was an old superstition that an evil spirit would hurt well-loved child. So some families with few descendants didn't celebrate 'Dol'. And some families dressed their babies in an worn-out clothes because of the superstition that a jealous departed soul would harm good-looking children.

We can find a lot of records about 'Dol' in ancient documents like Jeongjosilrok, Hapbyeoksaryu, Dongkyeongmonwharok, Ailnochoncho andSawon. For example, Gukjobogam says that in the 15th year of Jeongjo, King Jeongjo ordered his servants to set the table with all kinds of toys on the first birthday of his son, and invited his retainers. The retainers congratulated him. King Jeongjo handed out 'ddeok' to all the people. And citing the Chinese book Anssigahun Sukwng Iee wrote in Jibongyuseol that the custom of 'Dol' dated back to old times .

[edit] 'Dol' costume

The clothes worn for the 'Dol' are colorful and dressy. Boys' clothes consist of a jacket, pants and a vest. Boys also wear a black hat with a long tail (Korean ribbon), traditional socks and a belt. Girls' clothes consist of a jacket, a skirt, a hat, and traditional socks. The jacket is usually striped with many colors. And girls have a traditional round pouch.

[edit] 'Dol' table

The parents prepare a special 'Dol' table to celebrate the child's birthday. The main food includes plain white rice cake, seaweed soup, greens, and fruits. Especially, white rice cake and red bean rice cake are essential, and these originate from the traditional belief that white rice cake is a sacred innocent food and red bean rice cake protects a baby from bad luck.

[edit] 'Doljabi'

Besides food, other items are also needed for 'Doljabi'. 'Doljabi' is an event in which a baby picks an item from a 'Dol' table. Items such as a large bundle of thread, a pencil or a book, rice or money (only paper money), and a bow and an arrow or a needle, scissors and a ruler are arranged on the table. The birthday baby goes around the table and picks up the items that attract him or her. The baby's future is predicted according to what he or she grabs. If a baby picks up the money or the rice, he's going to be rich. And if a baby picks up the thread, it means that he or she will live long. But all of these items have good meanings in them, so the purpose of this event is that all the people wish for baby's longevity and good fortune. Here are some of the items and their meanings:

thread: the child will have a long life
pencil or book: the child will become a scholar
rice or money: the child will become rich
bow an arrow: the child will become an army general
needle and ruler: the child will be talented with their hands