Lunar New Year, also called Seollal, is the biggest holiday in Korea. It is marked on the first day of the lunar calendar,* which falls on February 10th this year.
During Lunar New Year, people go to their hometowns and catch up with members of their extended families. They also spend time playing various traditional games that are connected to the holiday.
Among them, yutnori is the most widely played game during Lunar New Year. In the Korean traditional board game, two teams take turns throwing four sticks called yut. Depending on how many sticks fall facing flat side up, the players can advance their team¡¯s tokens on the board. The winner is the team that gets its four tokens to reach home first.
The rules of yutnori are fairly simple, but the games can get strategic and competitive. Participants usually lose track of time while playing it.
Kite flying is another fun activity connected to Lunar New Year. People make a rectangular kite that is controlled by a reel and a thread. In the past, the threads of kites were cut after they reached high in the sky. It was believed that this act sent away bad luck and brought back good luck.
Other fun Lunar New Year activities include neolttwigi and top spinning. Neolttwigi is a seesaw game enjoyed outdoors by two women or girls. Standing at the end of a wide wooden panel, they alternate jumping to propel each other into the air.
In top spinning, players use a wooden top, called paengi. With a string attached to a stick, they whip the top to keep it spinning. The person whose paengi remains upright the longest is the winner.
* Lunar New Year ±¸Á¤, À½·Â¼³
* lunar calendar À½·Â
Discussion Questions
Which Lunar New Year games have you played? Which is your favorite?