Nov. 17, 2024 Sunday  
Rodong Sinmun
Customs of Korean People on First Full Moon Day

Culture 2024.2.25.


The Korean people have observed the first full moon day (January 15th of the lunar calendar) as a folk holiday every year together with the lunar New Year’s Day and Chusok (Harvest Moon Day).

The day is celebrated from the 14th day of the first lunar month.

From olden times, the Korean people have celebrated the first full moon day in a big way.

There were ceremonial events such as applying fermented compost to fields in the early morning and erecting a bundle of rice, kaoliang, millet and other crops before the full moon day and greeting the moon on the evening of the full-moon day while hoping for rich harvest and happiness in the new year.

Various folk games are played on the day.

People spent a festive time sharing national dishes with each other.

Various customs for the first full moon day have been developed in close relation to the Korean people’s life.

The first full moon day and the custom of greeting the moon on the evening of the day have been inscribed as intangible cultural heritages of the nation.

Rodong Sinmun