The Modern Korean Doljanchi: Meaning, Doljabi, and Gift Ideas
A first birthday is a big deal. In Korean culture, it comes with a few traditions of its own. There's food. Family. A tiny hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing often worn for special occasions. Lots of photos. And a table full of objects waiting for one very important choice:That's doljabi (돌잡이), a Korean first-birthday tradition where a baby chooses from a selection of symbolic objects, each representing a different hope for their future. The objects can be traditional or modern, and the selection varies from family to family. In case you're new to this tradition, we're breaking down what doljabi is, what the most popular items symbolize, and, if you're attending a Korean first birthday celebration, a few meaningful Korean...