SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – December 22 marks the winter solstice, a pivotal moment in the annual cycle when nights reach their longest and days are at their shortest. The Chinese character’s literal translation signifies “winter has arrived,” and in the Western tradition, it is recognized as the first day of winter.
The term “solstice” derives from the Latin word “solstitium,” a blend of “sol,” meaning sun, and “-stitium,” meaning pause. Analogous to the summer solstice, it denotes the sun’s altitude pausing for a few days before and after the winter solstice.
In ancient times, Koreans would prepare red bean porridge on this day to safeguard against ghosts. As the extended night preceding the winter solstice unfolded, they crafted bokjori and bokjumeoni, or lucky bags, in anticipation of the approaching new year.
The bokjori, employed to sift out stones and foreign objects in rice, were hung on kitchen cabinets or walls to attract good fortune. Another enduring tradition involved consuming red bean porridge, known as dongji dujuk or dongji sisik, on the winter solstice.
In this custom, red beans are simmered into porridge, and balls of glutinous rice, resembling bird’s eggs, are added.
Legend has it that sprinkling red bean paste porridge on the gate or longhouse before consumption on the winter solstice helps repel ghosts and avert disasters.
During relocations or house constructions, it is customary to sprinkle red bean porridge both inside and outside the dwelling and share it with neighbors.
In times of illness, red bean paste was also scattered on roads, as the red hue was believed to fend off malevolent spirits.
The winter solstice, heralding the lengthening of days, was celebrated as a festival symbolizing the sun’s rebirth. Given the perception of the sun rising from the dead, festivities ensued, accompanied by sacrifices to the sun god.
This occasion was often referred to as a ‘small New Year.’ The practice of incorporating a bird’s egg into red bean porridge to symbolize a person’s age also traces its roots to this solar celebration.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
