View source for Chuseok

{{Short description|Korean autumn holiday}}
{{hatnote|For the related lunisolar festivals celebrated on the same day, see [[Mid-Autumn Festival]] (China), [[Tết Trung Thu]] (Vietnam) and [[Tsukimi]] (Japan).}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More footnotes needed|date=December 2018}}
{{Travel guide|date=October 2018}}}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Chuseok
|type          = Asian
|image         = Songpyeon.jpg
|imagesize     = 300px
|caption       = ''[[Songpyeon]]'', a type of [[tteok]] to celebrate Chuseok.
|official_name = Chuseok ({{Korean|hangul=추석|hanja=秋夕|labels=no}})
|nickname      = Hangawi, Jungchujeol
|observedby    = Koreans
|litcolor      = 
|longtype      = Cultural, religious ([[Korean Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Korean Confucianism|Confucian]], [[Korean Shamanism|Muist]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=김 |first1=형구 |title=추석과 불교 |url=https://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=88897 |website=법보신 |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Jian |title=Buddhist temples to host overnight stays during Chuseok |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-09-10/culture/foodTravel/Buddhist-temples-to-host-overnight-stays-during-Chuseok/2131769 |website=Korea Joongang Daily |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>
|significance  = Celebrates the harvest
|begins  = 14th day of the 8th lunar month
|ends = 16th day of the 8th lunar month

|date = 15th day of the 8th lunar month
| date{{LASTYEAR}}    = {{Calendar date/infobox|year={{LASTYEAR}}|cite=no}}
| date{{CURRENTYEAR}} =  {{Calendar date/infobox|year={{CURRENTYEAR}}|cite=no}} 
| date{{NEXTYEAR}}    = {{Calendar date/infobox|year={{NEXTYEAR}}|cite=no}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR|2}}  = {{Calendar date/infobox|year={{NEXTYEAR|2}}|cite=no}}
|celebrations  =
|observances   = Visit to their family's home town, [[jesa|ancestor worship]], harvest feasts with ''[[songpyeon]]'' and rice wines
|relatedto     = [[Mid-Autumn Festival]] <small>(in China)</small><br /> [[Tsukimi]] <small>(in Japan)</small><br />[[Tết Trung Thu]] <small>(in Vietnam)</small><br />[[Uposatha]] of [[Ashvini]]/[[Kṛttikā|Krittika]] <small>(similar festivals that generally occur on the same day in Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand )</small>
|frequency = Annual
| module       = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes
| hangul = 추석
| hanja = 秋夕
| ipa = {{IPA|ko|tɕʰusʌk̚|}}
| hangul1 = 한가위
| ipa1 = {{IPA|ko|hɐnɡɐɥi|}}
}}
}}
'''Chuseok''' ({{Korean|hangul=추석|}}; {{IPA|ko|tɕʰu.sʌk̚|}}, {{Literal translation|autumn evening}}), also known as '''Hangawi''' ({{Korean|hangul=한가위|labels=no}}; {{IPA|ko|han.ɡa.ɥi|}}; from [[Old Korean]], "the great middle [of autumn]"), is a major [[Korean Peninsula|Korean]] mid-autumn [[harvest festival]] which occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month of the [[lunisolar calendar]], on the full moon. In [[Holidays in South Korea|South Korea]], the festival lasts for three days, including the days before and after the full moon.  In [[North Korea]], Chuseok is a single-day celebration on the full moon only.<ref>Passport to Korean Culture By Published by Korean Culture and Information Service Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism</ref>
[[File:Hanbok (한복) (4261102177).jpg|thumb|''[[Hanbok]]'']]
[[File:KOCIS Han-style exhibition 2011 (5753820716).jpg|thumb|''[[Songpyeon]]'']]
As a celebration of the good [[harvest]], Koreans visit their [[Ancestral home (Chinese)|ancestral hometowns]] and share a feast of Korean traditional food such as ''[[songpyeon]]'', ''[[yakgwa]]'', fruits like Asian pear and ''[[Dekopon|hallabong]]'', and rice wines such as ''sindoju'' ({{Korean|hangul=신도주|hanja=新稻酒|labels=no|}}). and ''[[Makgeolli|dongdongju]]''. There are two major traditions related to Chuseok: '''''[[Charye]]''''' ({{Korean|hangul=차례|hanja=茶禮|labels=no|}}, ancestor memorial services at home, also known as [[Jesa]]), and '''''Seongmyo''''' ({{Korean|hangul=성묘|hanja=省墓|labels=no|}}, family visit to the ancestral graves), which is usually accompanied by '''''Beolcho''''' ({{Korean|hangul=벌초|hanja=伐草|labels=no|}}, tidying graves, removing weeds around them).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chuseok.org/chuseok-a-korean-thanksgiving/|title=Chuseok (A Korean Thanksgiving)|website=chuseok.org|date=April 2021 }}</ref> Another major custom is to prepare the family's ancestors their favorite meals as an offering.

==Origins==
According to popular belief, Chuseok originates from ''gabae ''({{Korean|hangul=가배|hanja=嘉俳; 嘉排|labels=no}}). ''Gabae'' started during the reign of the third king of the kingdom of [[Silla]] (57 BC – AD 935), when it was a month-long [[weaving]] contest between two teams.<ref>The Academy of Korean Studies, ed. (1991.) "시발놈", ''Encyclopedia of Korean People and Culture'', Woongjin (in Korean).</ref><ref name="Farhadian">Farhadian, Charles E. (2007.) ''Christian Worship Worldwide''. Wm. Bm. Eerdmans Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-8028-2853-8}}.</ref> On the day of ''Gabae'', the team that had woven more cloth won and would be treated to a feast by the losing team. It is believed that weaving competitions, archery competitions, and martial arts demonstrations were held as part of the festivities.<ref>, Yun, Sŏ-sŏk Yun. (2008.) ''Festive occasions: the customs in Korea'', Ewha Womans University Press, Seoul. {{ISBN|978-8-9730-0781-3}}.</ref>

Many scholars also believe Chuseok may originate from [[Korean shamanism|ancient shamanistic]] celebrations of the [[harvest moon]].<ref name="Farhadian"/> New harvests are offered to local deities and ancestors, which means Chuseok may have originated as a worship ritual.<ref>Korea University Institute of Korean Culture, ed. (1982.) "Social Life", ''Korean Heritage Overview'', '''1''', Korea University  (in Korean).</ref> In some areas, if there is no harvest, worship rituals are postponed, or in areas with no annual harvest, Chuseok is not celebrated.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

==Traditional customs==
[[File:KOCIS yakgwa, honey cookies (4646996556).jpg|thumb|''[[Yakgwa]]'']]
[[File:Koreanthanksgiving-chuseok.jpg|thumb|A table with many traditional food offerings on it]]
In contemporary [[South Korea]], on Chuseok, masses of people travel from large cities to their hometowns to pay respect to the spirits of their ancestors.<ref name="KTO">{{cite web|title=Traditional Korean Holiday, Chuseok|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=811650|website=Imagine Your Korea|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817071405/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=811650|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chuseok celebrates the bountiful harvest and strives for the next year to be better than the last. People perform ancestral worship rituals early in the morning. Then, they visit the tombs of their immediate ancestors to trim plants, clean the area around the tomb, and offer food, drink, and crops to their ancestors.<ref name="KTO" /> The rest of the day is spent playing folk games and bonding with the family members. Harvest crops are attributed to the blessing of ancestors. Chuseok is commonly translated as "Korean Thanksgiving" in American English despite the holidays being vastly different in origin and celebration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chuseok: Korean Thanksgiving Day|url=http://asiasociety.org/korea/chuseok-korean-thanksgiving-day|website=Asia Society|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why ChuSeok is not Thanksgiving|url=https://www.ghu.ac.kr/storage//board/19/201509191143227XCuFQqvW3vLZWaskPzz.pdf|date=2012-10-31|publisher=[[Gwangju Health University|Gwangju Health College University]] Press|location=[[Gwangju]]|page=8}}</ref> Although most South Koreans visit their families and ancestral homes, there are festivities held at the [[National Folk Museum of Korea]]. Many places are closed during this national holiday, including banks, schools, post offices, governmental departments, and stores. Airline tickets to South Korea around the festival are usually sold out three months in advance and roads and hotels are overcrowded.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Frommer's South Korea|last=Lee|first=Cecilia Hae-Jin|publisher=Wiley, John Wiley|year=2010|isbn=978-0470591543|location=Hoboken, N.J, Chichester|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780470591543/page/21 21, 22, 25]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780470591543/page/21}}</ref>

===''Charye''===
''Charye'' is one of the [[jesa|ancestral memorial rites]] celebrated during Chuseok, symbolizing the abundance of the harvest season and honoring ancestors and past generations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.korea4expats.com/article-ancestral-memorial-rites-g.html|title=Korean Ancestral Memorial Rites, Jerye. - South-Korea - korea4expats|website=Korea4expats.com|access-date=2018-12-26|archive-date=2021-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727172556/https://korea4expats.com/article-ancestral-memorial-rites-g.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The rite involves the gathering of families in holding a memorial service for their ancestors through the harvesting, preparation and presentation of special foods as offerings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1917|title=A time for families, food and festivities |website=Jejuweekly.com}}</ref> Preparation for the food usually takes hours and many families start the cooking process early in the morning. The rite embodies the traditional view of spiritual life beyond physical death, respecting the spirits of the [[afterlife]] that now also serve to protect their descendants. The foods offered vary across provinces depending on what is available, but commonly feature freshly harvested rice, rice cakes ''([[songpyeon]])'' and fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=811650|title=Traditional Korean Holiday of Bountiful Harvest, Chuseok|website=[[VisitKorea.or.kr]]|language=en|access-date=2018-08-22|archive-date=2019-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817071405/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=811650|url-status=dead}}</ref> The arrangement of the foods of ''Charye'' on the table is also notable: traditionally rice and soup are placed on the north and fruits and vegetables are placed on the south; meat dishes are served on the west and in the middle, and [[rice cake]] and some drinks such as ''[[makgeolli]]'' or ''[[soju]]'' are placed on the east. These details can vary across regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfm.go.kr/Data/cuThar.jsp|script-title=ko:메세지 페이지|website=[[National Folk Museum of Korea]]}}</ref>

===''Hanbok''===
The ''[[hanbok]]'' (in South Korea) or ''Choson-ot'' (in North Korea) is the traditional dress that the Korean people wear on special holidays and formal and semi-formal occasions, such as Chuseok, Lunar New Year, and weddings. The term "hanbok" literally means "Korean clothing." The basic structure of the hanbok consists of the ''jeogori'' jacket, ''baji'' pants, ''chima'' skirt, and the ''po'' coat. The design of the hanbok remains unchanged to this day and is designed in a variety of colors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chuseok Hanbok |date=12 March 2022 |url=https://chuseok.org/chuseok-hanbok/ |publisher=Chuseok.org}}</ref>

===Food===

====''Songpyeon''====
One of the major foods prepared and eaten during the ''Chuseok holiday'' is ''[[songpyeon]]'' ({{Korean|hangul=송편|hanja=松餠|labels=no}}), a Korean traditional rice cake<ref name=KTO/> made with ingredients such as sesame seeds, black beans, mung beans, [[Cinnamomum cassia|cinnamon]], pine nut, walnut, chestnut, jujube, and honey.
When making ''songpyeon'', steaming them over a layer of pine-needles is critical. The word ''song'' in ''songpyeon'' means a pine tree in Korean. The pine needles not only contribute to ''songpyeon's'' aromatic fragrance, but also its beauty and taste.<ref name="tourism">{{Cite web |url=http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=613421 |title = Chuseok – Full Moon Harvest Holi... |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221010349/http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=613421 |archive-date=21 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Chosun">{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/09/22/2010092200094.html|title=No Chuseok Without Songpyeon|website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

''Songpyeon'' is also significant because of the meaning contained in its shape. However, some ''songpyeon'' are shaped like a ball. ''Songpyeon's'' rice skin itself resembles the shape of a full moon, but once it wraps the stuffing, its shape resembles the half-moon. Since the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms]] era in Korean history, a Korean legend stated that these two shapes ruled the destinies of the two greatest rival kingdoms, [[Baekje]] and [[Silla]]. During the era of King [[Uija of Baekje]], an encrypted phrase, "Baekje is full-moon and Silla is half-moon" was found on a turtle's back and it predicted the fall of the Baekje and the rise of the Silla. The prophecy came true when Silla defeated Baekje. Ever since Koreans have believed a half-moon shape is an indicator of a bright future or victory.<ref name="Chosun" /> Therefore, during Chuseok, families gather together and eat half-moon-shaped ''Songpyeon'' under the full moon, wishing for a brighter future.<ref name="tourism"/> There's a belief that if a single woman makes a pretty ''songpyeon'', she will find a great husband, and if a pregnant woman makes a pretty ''songpyeon'', she will have a pretty daughter.<ref name="What are the types of TTEOK 떡 (Rice Cakes) and their meanings?">{{cite web|url= https://hyphe-nated.com/what-are-the-types-of-tteok-%eb%96%a1-rice-cakes-and-their-meanings-when-do-koreans-eat-them-how-are-they-made/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210909014119/https://hyphe-nated.com/what-are-the-types-of-tteok-%EB%96%A1-rice-cakes-and-their-meanings-when-do-koreans-eat-them-how-are-they-made/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= September 9, 2021|title= What are the types of TTEOK 떡 (Rice Cakes) and their meanings?|publisher= Hyphe-Nated| access-date= 9 September 2021}}</ref>

====''Hangwa''====
Another popular Korean traditional food that people eat during Chuseok is ''[[hangwa]]''. It is a general term to categorize sweet foods made with ''[[tteok]]'', meaning rice cake. It is an artistic food decorated with natural colors and textured with patterns. ''Hangwa,'' also known as ''Hang,'' is made with rice flour, honey, fruit, and roots. People use edible natural ingredients to express various colors, flavours, and tastes.  Because of its decoration and nutrition,{{huh|date=September 2025}} Koreans eat ''hang'' not only during Chuseok, but also for special events, for instance, weddings, birthday parties, and marriages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreabrand.net/en/know/know_view.do?CATE_CD=0005&SEQ=2426 |title=Hangwa –Korean Traditional Confectionaries Good for the Body and the Soul - INSIDE Koreabrand.net |website=www.koreabrand.net |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118154456/http://www.koreabrand.net/en/know/know_view.do?CATE_CD=0005&SEQ=2426 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The most famous types of ''hangwa'' are ''[[yakgwa]], [[yugwa]]'', and ''[[dasik]]''.  ''Yakgwa'' is a sweet honey cookie which is made of fried rice flour dough ball and ''yugwa'' is a fried cookie consisting of glutinous rice mixed with honey water, and ''[[Cheongju (beverage)|cheongju]]'' (rice wine). ''Dasik'' is a tea cake that people enjoy with tea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Korea Tour Guide|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FO/FO_EN_Recipes.jsp?gotoPage=&cid=&cat1=21710&cat2=21735|website=[[VisitKorea.or.kr]]|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-date=4 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204071744/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FO/FO_EN_Recipes.jsp?gotoPage=&cid=&cat1=21710&cat2=21735|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====''Baekju''====
A major element of Chuseok is [[alcoholic drink]]s. Liquor drunk on Chuseok is called baekju (백주, 白酒, literally "white wine") and nicknamed sindoju (신도주, 新稻酒, literally "new rice liquor") as it is made of freshly harvested rice.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |year=1996 |script-title=ko:추석 (秋夕) |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0057862 |access-date=2021-08-18 |lang=ko |trans-title=Chuseok |author=임동권 (Im Dong-kwon)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kfoodstory.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2379 |title=Let's Share the Happiness of Harvest on Chuseok |website=AgraFood |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=2016-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072203/http://www.kfoodstory.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2379 |archive-date=2016-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Kooksoondang, a maker of Korean traditional liquors, restored "Yihwaju", rice wine from the [[Goryeo|Goryeo era]] (918–1392), and "Songjeolju" that has been widely enjoyed by Joseon (1392–1910) aristocrats. Its "Jamyang Baekseju" package comprises a variety of liquors ― Jayang Baekseju, Jang Baekseju, Baekokju ― that are claimed to enhance men's stamina.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130906000739&mod=skb |work=[[The Korea Herald]] |title=Chuseok, sharing the spirit of gratitude |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

====Others====
Other foods commonly prepared are ''[[japchae]]'', ''[[bulgogi]]'', an assortment of [[Jeon (food)|Korean pancakes]] also known as ''jeon'', ''[[Saengseon-hoe|saengseon]]'' (fish), and fruits.

===Gifts===
====History of Chuseok gifts====
[[File:Chuseok, Seoul, Korea September, 2013 (9800285474).jpg|thumb|Chuseok Gifts]]
The Korean people started sharing daily necessities, such as sugar, soap or condiments, as Chuseok gifts in the 1960s. The gifts have changed since the Korean economy has developed. In the 1970s, Korean people had more options for Chuseok gifts; examples include cooking oil, toothpaste, instant coffee sets, cosmetics, television and rice cookers. People chose gift sets of fruit, meat and cosmetics in the 1980s. In the 1990s, people used gift vouchers for Chuseok. In the 21st century, more sophisticated gifts, such as sets of sweet desserts, spam, fruits, health supplements, and skincare have become the most popular options for Chuseok gifts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arirang.com/|script-title=ko:한국을 대표하는 글로벌 방송! The World On Arirang!|website=[[Arirang TV]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

====Types of Chuseok gifts and prices====
Some extravagant gifts can be purchased: one kilogram of wild pine mushrooms, which are expensive because they cannot be artificially grown, cost 560,000 won (US$480.27), and red ginseng products cost 1.98 million won (US$1,698.11). However, the most exorbitantly priced gift is six bottles of wine at Lotte Department Store for 33 million won (US$28,301.89).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?query=dollar&where=m&sm=mtp_hty |title=Dollar : 네이버 통합검색 |access-date=2016-12-09 |archive-date=2021-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820104405/https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?query=dollar&where=m&sm=mtp_hty |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Chuseok gift sets are big business in Korea and prices are typically inflated around the holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://10mag.com/10-ridiculously-priced-korean-chuseok-gift-sets/|title=10 Ridiculously Priced Korean Chuseok Gift Sets|date=23 September 2015|website=[[10 Magazine (South Korean magazine)|10 Magazine]]}}</ref>

===Folk games===
[[File:Yut Nori.jpg|thumb|''[[Yut|Yut Nori]]'']]
A variety of folk games are played on Chuseok to celebrate the coming of autumn and rich harvest. ''Sonori'' is a folk performance where village folk dress themselves to resemble a cow or turtle and go from house to house along with a ''[[nongak]]'' band playing ''[[pungmul]]'' music. Other common folk games played on Chuseok are [[talchum]] (mask dance), board game called ''[[Yut|Yut Nori]]'', (also known as ''Yunnori, Nyout'', and ''Yout''), [[archery]], ''[[ssireum]],'' (Korean wrestling), and ''[[juldarigi]]'';<ref>{{cite web |title=Chuseok Games |date=13 March 2022 |url=https://chuseok.org/chuseok-games/ |publisher=Chuseok.org}}</ref> folk games vary by region.

====''Ssireum''====
''[[Ssireum]] ''({{Korean|hangul=씨름|labels=no}}) is the most popular Korean sport played during Chuseok and contests are usually held during this holiday. Scholars have found evidence for ''ssireums'' dating back to the [[Goguryeo]] dynasty, ''Ssireum'' is assumed to have 5000 years of history. Two players wrestle each other while holding onto their opponent's ''satba'', a red and blue band. A player loses when his upper body touches the ground, and the winner becomes ''Cheonha Jangsa'', ''Baekdu Jangsa'', or ''Halla Jangsa'', meaning "the most powerful". The winner gets a bull and {{cvt|1|kg}} of rice as the prize.<ref>[http://english.whatsonkorea.com/view_reports.ph?rid=559&code=M&scode=M-08&ss_code=&pst=L What's on Korea. (2001, July 28)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523045948/http://english.whatsonkorea.com/view_reports.ph?rid=559&code=M&scode=M-08&ss_code=&pst=L |date=2006-05-23}}</ref> Due to its popularity among both the young and the old, ''ssireum'' contests are held more frequently, not limited to important holidays.

====''Taekkyon''====
[[Taekkyeon|'' Taekkyon'']] ({{Korean|hangul=태껸 |labels=no}}or 택견)  is one of the oldest traditional martial arts of Korea. Taekkyon was very popular during the Joseon period (1392–1897) where it was practised alongside [[Ssireum]] during festivities, including Chuseok. Though originally a [[Hand-to-hand combat|hand-to-hand fighting method]], plebs used a more tamed version alike to a kicking game. The practitioner uses the momentum of his opponent to knock him down through kicks, swipes and pushes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Sports/view?articleId=121528|title=the importance of Taekkyon in Korean traditional culture}}</ref> Tournaments between players from different villages were carried out, starting with the children ("Aegi Taekkyon") before finishing with the adults.

Taekkyon almost disappeared during the [[Japanese occupation of Korea|Japanese occupation (1910–1945)]] but is now considered a [[Intangible Cultural Property (South Korea)|cultural heritage of Korea]] (1983) and a [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO intangible cultural item]] (2011).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/taekkyeon-a-traditional-korean-martial-art-00452|title=Taekkyon entry on UNESCO's world heritage list}}</ref>

====''Ganggangsullae''====
The ''[[Ganggangsullae]] ({{Korean|hangul=강강술래|labels=no}})'' dance is a traditional folk dance performed under the full moon in the night of Chuseok.<ref>[http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/news/reports_view.php?idx=1073 Seoul City. (2004, September 2)] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130419065159/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/news/reports_view.php?idx=1073 |date=2013-04-19 }}</ref> Women wear Korean traditional dress, [[hanbok]], make a big circle by holding hands, and sing a song while going around a circle. Its name, ''Ganggangsullae'', came from the refrain repeated after each verse, and contains no actual meaning.

{{clarify span|The dance originated in the southern coastal area of Korea. To watch a video clip of the ''Ganggangsullae'' dance, click [http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/RL/00188/ here].|date=September 2014}}

For other folk games, they also play [[Neolttwigi]] (also known as the [[Korean plank]]), a traditional game played on a wooden board.<ref>{{cite web|title=Festivals, events to delight on Chuseok holidays|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=88719|website=[[Korea.net]]|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>

====''Juldarigi''====
[[Juldarigi]] ({{Korean|hangul=줄다리기|labels=no}}), or tug-of-war, was enjoyed by an entire village population. Two groups of people are divided into two teams representing the female and male forces of the natural world. The game is considered an agricultural rite to predict the results of the year's farming. If the team representing the female concept won, it was thought the harvest that year would be rich.

====Chicken Fight (''Dak-ssaum'')====
Korean people used to watch [[Cockfighting|chicken fights]] ({{Korean|hangul=닭싸움|labels=no}}), and learned how chickens fought; a game inspired by such was invented.

To play the game, people are separated into two balanced groups. One must bend his or her leg up and hold it bent with the knee poking out. The players must then attack each other with their bent knees, having to eliminate them by making their feet touch the ground; the last player holding up his or her knee wins.

The game is about strength, speed, and balance; to stay alive, one must display the capability of fighting back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site-closed.wikispaces.com/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180731040742/https://site-closed.wikispaces.com/|archive-date = 2018-07-31|title = Wikispaces}}</ref>

====''Hwatu''====
[[Hwatu]] ({{Korean|hangul=화투|labels=no}}, also known as ''[[Go-Stop]]'' or ''Godori'') is composed of 48 cards including 12 kinds. The rules of the game and the term ''water'' originated from [[Tujeon]].
It was formerly similar to [[Hanafuda]], but was changed due to similarities with the latter. It went through a course that made it reduced by four base colors and thinner than before, spreading throughout to turn out goods on a mass-produced basis.{{clarify|date=September 2020|reason=Does this mean the cards were simplified so that they could be mass-produced?}}

==In North Korea==
Since Chuseok is a traditional holiday that has been celebrated long before the [[division of Korea]], people in North Korea also celebrate Chuseok. However, the ideology that divided Korea also caused some differences between the way that the holiday is celebrated in North Korea from the way it is celebrated in South Korea.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/chuseok-festival-two-faces-311692|title=Chuseok— A Festival With Two Faces|date=10 September 2011|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref> In fact, North Korea did not celebrate Chuseok and other traditional holidays until the mid-1980s.

While South Koreans celebrate Chuseok by visiting and spending time with family members, most North Koreans do not have any family gatherings for the holiday. Some, especially those in working classes, try to visit their ancestors' gravesites during Chuseok. However, social and economic issues in North Korea have been preventing visits.<ref name="dailynk.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500&num=4075&#93; |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107010642/http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500 |archive-date=2018-01-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the extremely poor infrastructure of North Korea, especially in terms of public transportation, makes it almost impossible for people to visit grave sites and their families.<ref name="I'm, J. J. 2010, September 23">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/welcome-to-chuseok-north-korean-st/|title=Welcome to Chuseok, North Korean Style|first=Im Jeong|last=Jin|date=23 September 2010|website=[[Daily NK]]}}</ref> In contrast to the poor [[Songbun]] lower class North Koreans, middle and elite classes enjoy the holiday as they want, easily traveling wherever they want to go.<ref name="I'm, J. J. 2010, September 23"/>

==See also==
*''[[Hansik]]'', another Korean holiday for ancestral rituals
*[[List of Buddhist festivals]]
*[[List of harvest festivals]]
*[[List of festivals in South Korea]]
*[[Public holidays in South Korea]]
*[[List of Korean traditional festivals]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*The Academy of Korean Studies, ed. (1991), "Chuseok", ''Encyclopedia of Korean People and Culture'', Woongjin (in Korean)
*{{Cite book  | last = Farhadian  | first = Charles E.  | title = Christian Worship Worldwide  | publisher = Wm. Bm. Eerdmans Publishing  | year = 2007
  | isbn = 978-0-8028-2853-8 }}
*{{Cite book   | contribution = Social Life  | title = Korean Heritage Overview  | editor-last = Korea University Institute of Korean Culture  | volume = 1
  | publisher=[[Korea University]]  | year = 1982  }}(in Korean)
*Aviles, K. (2011, September 10). Chuseok : A Festival With Two Faces. International Business Times. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/chuseok-festival-two-faces-311692|title=Chuseok— A Festival With Two Faces|date=10 September 2011|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
*Im, J. J. (2010, September 23). Daily NK - Welcome to Chuseok, North Korean Style. DailyNK. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/welcome-to-chuseok-north-korean-st/|title=Welcome to Chuseok, North Korean Style|first=Im Jeong|last=Jin|date=23 September 2010|website=[[Daily NK]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
*Kim, K.-C. (2008). Ganggangsullae. UNESCO Multimedia Archives. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?s=films_details&id_id=359|title=Ganggangsullae|first=Kim|last=Kwang-shik-CHA|access-date=27 December 2018|website=Unesco.org|date=16 June 2010 }}</ref>
*Korea.net. (2012, February 5). Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day (English) - YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e9N9IAGKYU|title=Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day (English)|access-date=27 December 2018|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*Moon, S. H. (2008, September 16). Daily NK - New Chuseok Trends in North Korea. DailyNK. Retrieved December 4, 2012
*Official Korea Tourism. (2008, August 26). Chuseok: Full Moon Harvest Holiday, Korean Version of Thanksgiving Day. VisitKorea. Retrieved December 4, 2012
*The National Folklore Museum of Korea. (n.d.). Ancestral Memorial Rites - Charye | The National Folklore Museum of Korea. The National Folklore Museum of Korea. Retrieved December 5, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfm.go.kr/Data/cuThar.jsp|script-title=ko:메세지 페이지|website=[[National Folk Museum of Korea]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
*TurtlePress (Martial Arts Video). (2009, May 1). SSireum Korean Wrestling History - YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xCLYBiwpPw|title=SSireum Korean Wrestling History|access-date=27 December 2018|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*Yoo, K. H. (2009, October 5). Chuseok, North Korean Style. DailyNK. Retrieved December 4, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/chuseok-north-korean-style/|title=Chuseok, North Korean Style|first=Yoo Gwan|last=Hee|date=5 October 2009|website=[[Daily NK]]|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{youTube|4e9N9IAGKYU|Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day}}
*{{youTube|qb35CT4T5ek|Chuseok, North Korean Thanksgiving Day}}

{{Festivals in South Korea}}
{{Public holidays in North Korea}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Public holidays in Korea]]
[[Category:Harvest festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in Korea]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in South Korea]]
[[Category:Lunar observation]]
[[Category:Food and drink festivals in South Korea]]
[[Category:Observances set by the Korean calendar]]
[[Category:September observances]]
[[Category:October observances]]
[[Category:Festivals in North Korea]]
[[Category:Autumn in North Korea]]
[[Category:Autumn in South Korea]]
[[Category:Observances held on the full moon]]
[[Category:Autumn equinox]]