| Oriental Astrology : Oriental astrology assigns twelve | | | | aspect of Korean life, from the Taegeuk in the |
| animals according to the year of ones birth. It is | | | | national flag to the animal designs on chopsticks in |
| opposite to Western astrology which goes by the | | | | restaurants. Many symbols are similar to the Chinese |
| month of ones birth. Koreans have firm belief that | | | | characters for luck, fortune, longevity, and fertility. |
| ones animal determines ones personality and fate. | | | | Traditional Tools and Utensils : Many Korean traditional |
| Each year holds different things in store for each | | | | tools and utensils look very similar to those found in |
| animal. | | | | other agricultural societies: stone mills for grinding |
| Korean Buddhism : Buddhism was originated in India | | | | grains into powder, weaving looms for making |
| over 2,600 years ago. This religion was introduced to | | | | clothes, and measuring tools for dispensing agricultural |
| Korea by the travelers around the fourth century | | | | products. Korea also has many tools and utensils |
| A.D. Since that time, Buddhism has greatly influenced | | | | made from bamboo and straw. |
| Korean society, culture, and the arts. | | | | Kimchi- Most people think Kimchi as Korea's firey hot |
| Traditional Alcohol : Korea has created unique alcohols | | | | and red food .Kimchi has many nutrients. Over the |
| using rice malt. | | | | years, Koreans have created many types of foods |
| Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) : The Demilitarized Zone | | | | from kimchi. |
| (DMZ), the symbol of the ideological dispute between | | | | Child's First Birthday (Tol) The death rate for children |
| North and South Korea and poignant reminder of the | | | | in Korea was extremely high in the last few years. A |
| Korean War (1950-53), winds 155 miles across the | | | | great number of children were failed to survive the |
| Korean Peninsula. An uneasy truce continues between | | | | first year of life.As a result, the first birthday marked |
| the antagonists, but no peace treaty has ever been | | | | a major milestone in a child's life. The ceremony of |
| signed. Review the Korean War and the various parts | | | | the Tol celebrates the child's life with praying for |
| of the DMZ. | | | | longevity, preparation of special food to be shared |
| Taekwondo : Taekwondo is one of the most | | | | with family members and neighbors, and a special |
| systematic and scientific of Korean traditional martial | | | | event which is supposed to foretell the child's future. |
| arts. This modern sport has gained an international | | | | Traditional Marriage : Marriage in Korea like any other |
| reputation and has been included among the official | | | | culture represents one of the major stages of ones |
| sports in the Olympic Games. | | | | life. Ceremonies vary according to the region where |
| Rice Cakes (Deok) : Korean traditional cakes have | | | | they are performed and the social status of the |
| great importance on many occasions of happiness | | | | participants. However,they all follow the same basic |
| and sorrow. These cakes have long been shared | | | | format. |
| among neighbors and friends on these special | | | | Traditional Clothing : Korean traditional clothing is both |
| occasions.The cake shape, content, and color vary | | | | brilliant in its bright colorings and subdued in its flowing |
| from one region to another. | | | | lines and the way it hides the body shape. During |
| Samulnori basically means "four instruments" and | | | | national holidays and festive occasions, the colorful |
| refers to the four instruments (kwaengwari, jing, | | | | national costume hanbok is worn. The designs and |
| janggu, buk) played by the musicians. It has roots in | | | | colors of the various forms represent the rich culture |
| Buddhist and folk music. However, the style has | | | | and society of traditional Korea. |
| changed through the years and evolved in different | | | | Festivals of the lunar calendar : The Korean lunar |
| ways. Samulnori is the name of the traditional musical | | | | calendar is divided into 24 turning points (jeolgi), each |
| group. This group has great contributions in reviving | | | | lasting about 15 days. Traditional festivals are still |
| interest in Korean traditional arts. | | | | celebrated according to the lunar calendar. The |
| Traditional Patterns and Symbols : Korean people | | | | biggest of which is the New Year's Day (gujeong). |
| traditionally adapted to and found meaning in the | | | | Other important festivals include the first full moon |
| order of nature. They have created beautiful and | | | | (jeongwol daeboreum), the spring festival (dano) and |
| diverse patterns in order to teach the hidden | | | | the harvest festival (chuseok). Older generations still |
| meanings of nature to their children. They also want | | | | celebrate their birthdays according to the lunar |
| their children to believe nature as law and order in | | | | calendar. |
| their daily lives.These patterns can be found in every | | | | |