How to Celebrate Chuseok
Perform Charye or 차례., Practice Beolcho "벌초" and Seongmyo "성묘".
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Perform Charye or 차례.
This is an ancestral memorial service where the entire family gathers together to perform the memorial service in the morning wearing hanbok.
Charye is performed because Koreans believe that their ancestors aren't physically dead; their spirits are still alive.
They prepare special food in their honor. Observe the important table arrangement for the Charye feast. Rice and soup are placed on the north side of the table, and fruits and vegetables are on the south.
On the west and in the middle, meat dishes are served.
On the east, rice cake and some drinks such as makgeolli or soju are placed. -
Step 2: Practice Beolcho "벌초" and Seongmyo "성묘".
Visit the ancestral graves and clean the weeds around the graves.
This shows respect and devotion to one another.
One month prior to the Chuseok, the families visit their ancestors' graves to clean the weeds, a practice which is called Beolcho, often causing congestion in Korea's highways.
They again visit and clean the weeds around the graves during Chuseok.
Detailed Guide
This is an ancestral memorial service where the entire family gathers together to perform the memorial service in the morning wearing hanbok.
Charye is performed because Koreans believe that their ancestors aren't physically dead; their spirits are still alive.
They prepare special food in their honor. Observe the important table arrangement for the Charye feast. Rice and soup are placed on the north side of the table, and fruits and vegetables are on the south.
On the west and in the middle, meat dishes are served.
On the east, rice cake and some drinks such as makgeolli or soju are placed.
Visit the ancestral graves and clean the weeds around the graves.
This shows respect and devotion to one another.
One month prior to the Chuseok, the families visit their ancestors' graves to clean the weeds, a practice which is called Beolcho, often causing congestion in Korea's highways.
They again visit and clean the weeds around the graves during Chuseok.
About the Author
Debra Burns
Brings years of experience writing about cooking and related subjects.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: