⏱ About 2 min read
·
4 sections
First Goryeo Record
The first official record of sebae, the traditional New Year's bow, can be found in the *Goryeosa*, or "History of Goryeo." It details a ritual on the first day of the new year where members of the royal family and court officials performed bows to the king. This historical account marks the formal inception of sebae. Concurrently, among the common populace, a custom existed where individuals offered deep bows to their parents, grandparents, and other elders. As Korea transitioned into the Confucian society of the Joseon Dynasty, this practice became intertwined with the profound ideology of filial piety, eventually standardizing it as a fundamental household ritual observed by every family.
The Deep Bow Posture
The posture for a deep bow, or *keunjeol*, differs between men and women. For men, the left hand is placed over the right, a position known as *gongsu*. For women, the right hand is placed over the left. The sequence of the bow typically involves starting from a cross-legged position, then kneeling, and finally performing the bow itself. The very movements of the *keunjeol* are imbued with the philosophy of Yin and Yang. The hand placement reverses depending on whether the bow is offered to the living, where the left hand (Yang) is placed on top, or to the deceased, where the right hand (Yin) is placed on top.
Deokdam — A Pre-Written Future
Following the New Year's bow, or sebae, the "deokdam" — words of blessing from an elder — is a practice unique to Korea. These blessings, such as "May many good things happen this year," "Be healthy," or "Get married," are spoken in an imperative form, essentially declaring the future. This is not merely a simple well-wishing but carries a shamanistic remnant, believed to carve one's destiny through language. There is a deeply held belief that the words spoken by an elder on New Year's Day can "prophesy" the entire year for the recipient.
The Character for Bow
The Hanja character for "bow," 拜 (*bae*), visually represents both the shape of hands clasped together and the figure of a person bowing. The character itself embodies the action. This same character is used in various forms of bowing, including *sebae* (New Year's bow), *yebae* (ceremonial worship), and *chambae* (paying homage). Korea earned its historical designation as "The Eastern Land of Courtesy" precisely because the formal practice of bowing, represented by 拜, developed into such an elaborate and refined system.
