Why do Koreans count age from the moment of conception. Traditional calendars and chronology systems in Korea
1. Why is Korean age different from international age?
"How old are you?". In many cultures, it's considered impolite to ask someone's age, but in Korea, age is one of the first things local Koreans will want to know about you. The question is not considered offensive. In fact, the opposite is true. Koreans want to know your age simply because they want to know whether to use formal or informal language.
2. Why are there different ways of communicating in Korea?
In Korea, your age not only affects how others will interact with you, but also affects how you should speak. Korean has seven speech levels, but fortunately for beginners, only three of these levels are used in everyday life: formal (합쇼체 or "hapsyoche"), polite (해요체 or "haeyo"), and informal (해체 or "hae" ).
Formal speech is used when you are talking to your sunbae, a person of high rank, or a complete stranger. Polite speech is used when you are talking to someone you are friends with, but not close friends, or to employees when you are socializing outside of work. The informal language is only used when you are talking to someone who has been your hoobae, sibling, close friend for several years. Informal communication with someone who does not fit into these categories is considered very offensive and disrespectful.
3. Why do Koreans ask personal questions?
Personal questions like “how old are you?”, “how much do you earn?” and "are you married?" are considered unacceptable in many cultures and can be discouraging to people. While these questions may seem offensive to some people, this is just an everyday part of Korean etiquette. Koreans do not consider these questions to be rude or curious, but rather to determine their status compared to the person they are talking to in order to avoid misunderstandings.
4. Why is the army obligatory?
In many countries, especially in Western countries, military conscription is voluntary. But not in Korea. Compulsory military service has existed since 1957 and requires male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve two years. Women do not have to enroll, but can voluntarily enroll if they wish. The length of service (both active and on duty) varies by branch of the military, but is typically between 21 and 24 months. Coercion has become a social and social rite of passage for Korean men, and it remains mandatory due to ongoing tensions in South Korea over North Korea.
On May 29, 2018, Korea amended its military law. Now, any man aged 28 or older can defer his call for medical reasons. In addition, all males who are between 25 and 27 years of age must obtain an exit permit.
5. Why do Koreans bow?
Bowing is a major part of social etiquette in Korea, and this is true in many Asian countries. Each bow has a different meaning, purpose, and context that may initially confuse people. In Korea, bowing is a way of showing respect, saying thank you, sorry, hello and goodbye.
There are several offerings. Simply put, the deeper the bow, the higher the respect. The most respectful bow is kunyol (큰절 or "big bow"). It is only used on very formal occasions and shows a high level of respect. For example, Koreans use this bow for older family members on the Lunar New Year.
6. Why are blood types important?
According to Korean tradition, your blood type can determine your main personality traits. This includes everything from introversion/extroversion to your compatibility with your future soul mate.
7. Why do Korean couples wear the same outfit?
Matching outfits between couples in the west are often considered weird, even tasteless, but Koreans love to flaunt their relationship. Couples in Korea often wear matching shirts, jeans, hats, even underwear when they go out on dates!
8. Why do Koreans wear face masks?
In the west, medical face masks are rarely worn outside of hospitals. Thus, many people get the impression that the masked person is sick and avoid these people.
In Korea, face masks are much more common and have even become a fashion accessory. Although some mask wearers wear them to avoid the spread of germs. Also, many Koreans wear them to protect themselves from the harmful effects of fine dust. It can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat, and its particles can even damage your lungs and attack your immune system.
Celebrities also wear masks to hide their bare faces from the public or to maintain their anonymity.
9. Why are kakahi cute?
In Korea, poop is fun. It can be an adorable soft toy, a decorative item, or even a lovable cartoon character.
While there are many theories about where this love of poop comes from, many believe that it may have started centuries ago. Golden litter has always represented wealth and good fortune in Korean culture.
At one time, they also played an important role in traditional medicine. It used to be believed that they healed everything from infections to broken bones.
10. Why do they do aegyo?
Aegyo has become very popular, mainly thanks to K-Pop. Aegyo can be a way to charm people if done right.
Unfortunately, aegyo is an art that not everyone excels at.
11. Why do Koreans expose crimes to the public?
Anyone who has ever seen crime in dramas has witnessed this Korean pre-trial legal practice. Citizens suspected of committing violent crimes, but not yet convicted of them, are forced to reappear in the courtroom for a retrial, being either tied with ropes or handcuffed. This retrial is open to the public, who are allowed to insult and yell at the suspect. This allows citizens to release their anger and adds additional psychological pressure to the suspect. Although not all Koreans approve of this practice, it is still popular.
12. Why is social drinking so important?
In Korea, it is common practice to drink with your co-workers. While many company executives are trying to curb this tradition, many bosses still drink with their colleagues all night. It is a way for managers to show their appreciation for employees, and drinking is also seen as a way to connect with the people around you. This can sometimes be problematic for people who cannot or do not like to drink alcohol.
North Korea, or to use its full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a dictatorship and hereditary power. It is so isolated and closed that it is as difficult to get into it as it is to leave afterwards. Such isolation is of frank interest not only among travel enthusiasts, but also among the whole world as a whole. We present the most curious facts hiding beyond the borders of this state.
104 years in North Korea
The North Korean chronology, according to the Juche calendar, begins with the birth of Kim Il Sung. Therefore, now there is not 2015, but only 104.
The largest stadium in the world
The largest sports arena, the First May Stadium, was built in this country. It can accommodate up to 150 thousand people.
legal marijuana
Marijuana is not considered a drug here, so it is completely legal.
Tallest Ryugyong Hotel
For about 20 years, the 105-story Ryugyong, whose height is 330 meters, was considered the highest in the world. The construction, which began in 1987, has not yet been completed.
The population of the DPRK, depending on "loyalty to the regime", is divided into 51 "social categories"
In the country, only members of the government and the military have the right to own a car.
Residents of the country use their own operating system Red Star OS
It is the only country to own a once-captured US warship.
Over 23,000 people have fled from North Korea to South over 60 years, while only two have fled from South to North.
In 2009, the country officially changed its state policy from communism to Juche.
You can't wear jeans in North Korea, it's illegal
North Koreans are not allowed to wear hairstyles that do not meet the list approved by the state
There are 28 allowed hairstyles in total.
The country built a propaganda village to lure the population of North Korea
In the 1950s, a village was built near the borders with South Korea, whose splendor, which in fact was only a prop, was supposed to lure the people of South Korea.
Kim Il Sung, who founded the DPRK, was born on April 15, 1912. It was on this day that the infamous Titanic sank.
Archaeologists in North Korea have found the skeleton of a unicorn, which was ridden by Tongmung, the founder of the Goguryeo dynasty and country.
This was the announcement made in 2012. According to North Korean archaeologists, King Tongmung rode this unicorn about two thousand years ago.
Six American soldiers who defected to North Korea in 1962 still live in that country
In North Korea, those who keep a Bible, watch South Korean films, or are involved in the distribution of pornographic videos are sentenced to death
Despite the fact that elections are held in the country every 5 years, there is always only one candidate on the ballots.
The North government sends its threats to South Korea by fax
In 2014, the population of the DPRK watched the World Cup with a delay of a day
We are accustomed to consider our age from the moment of birth. It turns out that not all peoples use this method of counting years lived. In Korea, a completely different way of calculating has been adopted for a long time. And this is not the only difference. The traditional relationship between parents and children in this country can serve as a great example for the rest of the world.
It seems surprising, but the countdown of childhood in Korea does not start from the day the child is born, as in the West, but from the beginning of the year, thereby rounding off the time spent in the womb. In addition, a person grows up for a year not on his birthday, but on January 1 according to the lunar calendar. So, born at the end of December 2013, on January 1, 2014, it will turn 2 years old at once.
The explanation for such a strange, at first glance, tradition lies in the historical and cultural features of the life of the inhabitants of the East Asian region. Unusual, in the European view, the chronology system originated in ancient China and is still widely used in other cultures of East Asia. Interestingly, in Japan and Vietnam, this system is still used in traditional divination and religion, but it has forever disappeared from the daily life of city dwellers. The echo of ancient traditions in the eastern part of Mongolia is also unusual, where age is traditionally determined based on the number of full moons since conception for girls, and the number of new moons since birth for boys.
Koreans count their age in units called sal with the addition of Korean ordinal numbers. For example, a child born on the 29th day of the 12th month (according to the lunar calendar) in East Asian reckoning will reach the age of two years on Seollal (Korean New Year), while in the Western system he was only a few days old. That is why it is important for teachers and educators of young Korean children to clarify what age they were told - Korean or Western.
Except in the legal realm, East Asian age counting continues to be widely used by Koreans, but urban residents use the traditional system more frequently. Korea's international system for determining age is called mannai, where "man" means "full" or "actual" and "nai" means "age." For example, the phrase "mandasossal" would mean "five full years".
The Gregorian calendar and the calculation of age from birth (mannai) are now officially adopted in Korea, and are used in filling out documents and carrying out legal procedures. In addition, it counts the age limits for the use of alcohol and tobacco, the age of consent and the age of marriage, restrictions on viewing pornographic video products, as well as school and military age.
It is worth noting that although age is measured by the Lunar New Year, Koreans also celebrate their real birthday. The lunar birthday celebration is called "Eumnyeok saeng-il" in Korean, and "Yangyeok saeng-il" in the Gregorian calendar.
The 100th day of a child's life is especially important for Koreans. This day in Korea is called "paegil", which literally means "one hundred days" in Korean, and to which the holiday is timed tol. It appeared in Korea at a time when infant mortality was very high. Therefore, if the child lived to one year, it was believed that the crisis had passed, and that the child would live a long life. On this day, the child is wished a prosperous future.
All children in Korea must celebrate only During the celebration, the child is dressed in a special hanbok - a bright suit of colored silk, specially made for this occasion, and a headdress: girls in chobawi or kull, and boys in pokkon or hogon. On this day, a big holiday is arranged, with a feast and congratulations. No matter how poor the family is, the holiday and treats on only will be arranged for sure. Everyone, from the poorest peasant kid to the emperor's heir, went through this custom. At the same time, when he coped only at the son of the emperor, the scope of the celebrations took on truly gigantic proportions: a luxurious table was laid, congratulatory speeches were made, and an amnesty for prisoners was even announced on this occasion.
One of the most interesting events during roofing felt- This "tolchabi". Koreans put various things on the table in front of the child, each of which has a certain meaning. The kid picks up something, and from this they conclude who the child will become in the future and what fate awaits him. Previously, rice, thread, money, a brush, a book and a bow were traditionally placed on the table. Modern parents, as a rule, no longer follow this custom so strictly and can put a computer mouse, a baseball or a toothbrush on the table. After choosing, they sing, dance and celebrate in every possible way with the child, give gifts, usually money, gold rings and clothes.
At home, family members thank the samsin gods guarding the growing child by offering them rice, miyok soup, and tteok. Special foods are put on the table that symbolize the wishes for the child: rainbow tteok, miyeok soup, fruits. Soup (miyeokguk) is served on every birthday to commemorate the suffering of the mother during childbirth.
The one-year-old baby himself sits next to his parents, watching the ritual in his honor. From that moment on, the participation of children in traditional rituals, ceremonies and holidays has become a necessary condition for Korean life. On this day, the child for the first time begins to understand the significance of traditional holidays, feels love and respect for himself, gets to know more relatives and feels like a full member of the family. The child learns not only to treat gifts and treats with care, but also for the first time feels a high responsibility to the elders and listens attentively to their teachings and wishes. Thus, during the holiday, little Koreans get acquainted with the ancient traditions and rules of folk rituals that have become laws for the Korean people.
It is important to note that traditionally Koreans celebrate their birthday only twice in their lives, in one year - only at the age of 60. According to Korean traditions, a child under 5-6 years old personifies the divine principle. It is believed that after 1 year of life, the soul of the child is fully formed, and he, directly communicating with the souls of his ancestors, helps them in the afterlife. Therefore, Korean parents spoil their child and allow various pranks.
Thus, it becomes clear that in traditional Korea, the birth of children was given great importance. Interestingly, according to the Confucian traditions adopted today in Korea, any person is in absolute obedience to his parents always, and not until he reaches adulthood, as was considered in Europe.
Koreans are some of the most caring parents in the world, and the question of a son or grandson can soften even the most unfriendly interlocutor. Parents give all mental and financial strength to children in a Korean family. And even if there is a conflict between spouses, it rarely affects children. Therefore, despite some oddities in the calculation of age, the people of the West can learn a lot from the people of Korea.
As the well-known and beloved crocodile Gena sang: "Unfortunately, the birthday is only once a year." The tradition of celebrating your birthday remains unchanged in all countries, but not all nations consider their age from the moment they were born. Many people wonder why you are a year older in South Korea.
Usually Koreans add 1 or 2 years to their passport age. This comes from the fact that the age of little Koreans is considered from the moment when the child is still in the mother's womb. When the baby is born, he is already 1 year old. The subsequent accrual of years occurs from the beginning of the year according to the lunar calendar, and not on the day of birth, as is customary in most other countries. To calculate their age, Koreans use units (sal) with the addition of Sino-Korean ordinal numbers.
Toljanchi Festival
This holiday originates from ancient times, when medicine was very poorly developed in Korea. Many newborns did not live up to a year. Mortality among children was very high. Therefore, when the child passed the age limit of 1 year, they arranged a magnificent celebration. They laid tables with various dishes, called all relatives, family friends, acquaintances. On this significant day, the birthday boy was dressed in a traditional Korean hanbok costume with a headdress.
The guests who came to the celebration wished the baby a bright future, health, happiness and good luck. Presenting gifts, they usually gave gold: rings, bracelets, chains, it is also customary to give money.
An important point of toljanchkha is the prediction of the future for a little Korean. It happens like this: a child is placed in the center of the table, on which various objects are laid out. He chooses what he likes and already by the thing that the baby has chosen, his fate is predicted. For example, a child chose a statoscope, which means that in the future he will become a successful doctor, if a microphone, then he will be a singer or a popular presenter.
Along with the toljanchi holiday, on a no lesser scale, Koreans necessarily celebrate their 60th anniversary, since earlier in Korea there were very few centenarians, and living to 60 years was considered great luck.
How to calculate how old you are by Korean standards
One of the first questions a Korean will ask you is your age. This is necessary in order to know in what form to address you, because in South Korea there are several forms of addressing the interlocutor, which depend on age and status. In order to calculate how old you are by Korean standards, you need to take the current year, subtract the year of your birth from it and add 1 year.