How much do you know about Chuseok?

 

Chuseok, Korea’s Major Traditional Holiday

Chuseok refers to the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, marking the middle of autumn. The word "Chuseok" (秋夕) literally means "autumn evening" and, by extension, "the night with the best autumn moonlight," signifying a holiday during which the moon is especially bright. Traditionally, Chuseok was celebrated as a major event in Korea’s agrarian society, where it was considered an important time to harvest crops. This tradition has continued into modern times. Let’s explore the customs of two ancient Korean states that contributed to the origins of Chuseok, a holiday so significant that it is designated as a national holiday in Korea today.

Silla’s Tradition of Promoting Unity During Chuseok

Silla was a kingdom located in the southeastern region of the Korean Peninsula, in what is now Gyeongsang Province. According to the "History of the Sui Dynasty" (隋書), in the chapter "Accounts of the Eastern Barbarians" (東夷傳) on Silla, it is recorded: “On the 15th day of the 8th month, the king would hold a grand festival and have officials participate in archery contests. Those who excelled were rewarded with horses or fine silk." Similarly, the "Old Book of Tang" (舊唐書) also mentions that Silla celebrated the 15th day of the 8th lunar month with grand festivities and awarded silk to the best archers. It appears that during Chuseok, Sillans held festivals to promote unity, with the king personally rewarding officials or enjoying festivities with the people. This may have been a way for the kingdom to express gratitude to its citizens for their hard work during the harvest. While the exact origins of Chuseok in Korea are unclear, ancient records provide a glimpse into how Sillans celebrated this important holiday. Just as modern Koreans today enjoy extended Chuseok holidays by spending time with family or traveling abroad, the Sillans seemed to have gathered together to enjoy festivities during Chuseok.

The Territory of Silla during the Reign of King Jinheung

 

The Custom of Offering Rituals During Chuseok in Gaya

Gaya was a confederation of states in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, located between what is now Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces. According to the "Samguk Yusa" (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Gaya held rituals on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, offering "abundant and pure offerings in ceremonies at the tomb of King Suro," the founder of Gaya. This tradition of holding rituals during Chuseok has been passed down to today’s practice of "charye," a simplified ancestral rite performed on Chuseok or New Year’s morning. Gaya people maintained a culture of gathering food from the year’s harvest and offering it to their ancestors in gratitude, strengthening their sense of identity. This culture helped Gaya grow more rapidly than neighboring states.

The Ancient Territory of Gaya

Although the exact origins of Chuseok in Korea are not known, ancient records suggest that it began in the kingdoms of Silla and Gaya. Silla eventually annexed Gaya and achieved the unification of the Three Kingdoms. Nobles who had built their power base in Silla grew into the central force of Goryeo. As a result, Chuseok became firmly established as a major holiday in modern times.

 

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