Hi everyone, Vijob here! 👋
When living in Korea, alongside Seollal (Lunar New Year), Chuseok is easily one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. Most of us know it as a time for eating Songpyeon, reuniting with family, and visiting ancestral graves. But have you ever wondered: “Where did Chuseok actually come from?” or “What does Hangawi mean?”
Let’s take a look at the history, meaning, and traditions behind Korea’s signature autumn holiday!
🌾 What kind of holiday is Chuseok?
Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month—right during the mid-autumn full moon. It also goes by names like Gabae, Gawi, Hangawi, or Jungchujeol.
The name “Hangawi” comes from combining han (“grand” or “big”) and gawi (“middle”), meaning “the grand day in the middle of autumn.” Along with Seollal, Hansik, and Dano, Chuseok has long been celebrated as one of Korea’s four major traditional holidays.
🌕 Why is Chuseok held on a full moon?
While there’s no single record marking the exact year Chuseok began, ancient agricultural societies viewed the full moon as a ultimate symbol of abundance. The moon’s cycle of waxing and waning mirrored the way crops grow and bear fruit. Under the brightest autumn moon, communities gathered to give thanks for the harvest and pray for prosperity.
📜 Chuseok in historical records
The earliest written account of Chuseok appears in the ancient text Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms). During the Silla Dynasty under King Yuri, women in the capital were split into two teams for a month-long weaving competition. On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the losing team hosted a feast for the winners with food, drinks, music, and dance. This celebration was called Gabae (嘉俳)—a tradition that evolved through the Goryeo and Joseon periods into the holiday we know today.
🌾 The reason Chuseok is special is its ‘harvest’
In ancient Korea, life revolved around agriculture. After planting seeds in spring and farming throughout the summer, autumn brought the fruits of hard labor. Chuseok was never just a long weekend; it was a day of deep gratitude and community joy. Customs like Charye (offering newly harvested grains to ancestors) and Seongmyo (visiting family graves) stem directly from this spirit of appreciation.
🥮 Why is Songpyeon associated with Chuseok?
You can’t celebrate Chuseok without Songpyeon! These half-moon-shaped rice cakes are filled with sweet sesame, beans, chestnuts, or jujubes. The name comes from steaming the rice cakes over a bed of fresh pine needles (song means pine tree). Their half-moon shape reflects an ancient belief: a full moon can only wane, but a half-moon is destined to grow full—symbolizing continuous growth and future prosperity.
🎶 What kinds of games were played during Chuseok?
Chuseok brought whole villages together with vibrant traditional games:
Ganggangsullae: A circular dance where women held hands, sang, and danced under the full moon.
Ssireum (Korean Wrestling) & Tug-of-War: Friendly competitions testing village strength.
So Nori & Geobuk Nori: Playful traditions where neighbors dressed up as cows or turtles, visiting houses to share food and wish each other good fortune.
🌕 Chuseok in Korea, does it look a little different to you?
If you’re an expat experiencing Chuseok for the first time, understanding why Koreans hold this holiday so dear turns the long break and delicious food into a truly meaningful cultural experience.
Does your home country have a similar harvest festival or family homecoming tradition??
👉 Share stories about your country’s holidays in the Vijob community too!
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Vijob will be with you every step of the way in Korea, from A to Z. 💙