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Photo Credits: My Grandma
Doljanchi, a Korean tradition, is one of the many ways that my family has implemented our ethnicity’s culture into my life. My grandma immigrated from South Korea when she was only 18, and brought the rich culture with her. Doljanchi translates to “1st birthday party”, and is an extravagant way of celebrating the birthday of a child turning one in South Korea. My grandma threw a Doljanchi for my aunt (see photo on the left), dad, and cousin, which is still discussed very frequently. The more I have learned about this practice, the more I have learned about my ethnicity and the unique values that it holds.
How it Began
The happy, exciting, and wonderful tradition of Doljanchi has a much darker history than one might think. Back in the 18th century, starvation and a variety of diseases spread rapidly in South Korea.
Unfortunately, South Korea had underdeveloped healthcare and a great lack of resources in treating these illnesses. This allowed the diseases to remain unharmed and affect one of the most vulnerable populations, infants. As these diseases prevailed among young children, it caused every second child to pass away during the 1800s. Even in the 1950s, the infant mortality rate was almost 30%. Feeling hopeless, this sorrowful reality was devastating to South Koreans and resulted in a plummet of the country’s morale.
Photo Credits: National Mueseum of Korea
Photo Credits: Alex-A Che
Despite the grim state that South Korea was in, as they did not know how to recover from these gruesome events, things started to change for the better in the late 1900s. In 1977, the first health insurance legislation was passed in South Korea and named the Medical Insurance Act. This was meant to help support patients in covering their healthcare bills, as well as charge all of them fairly for medical attention. This development allowed healthcare to be accessible to much more of the population, and the healthcare improved with the establishment.
Families started to see vast improvements in their children’s health given the resources. When children began to survive to the age of one, their families threw elaborate first birthday celebrations as this was a great deal.
A Look Into the Future: Doljabi
The most defining event of Dolajanchi is the future-telling event, known as Doljabi. Doljabi is where the child being celebrated is presented with 6-9 symbolic items, and must pick anywhere between 1-3 of them. This event is said to predict the child’s future, based on which item(s) they pick.
All of the objects included in this practice have one thing in common: they promote prosperity and a healthy life for the child. As mentioned before, the infant mortality rate was alarmingly high in South Korea, which sparked the necessity to highlight longevity for the baby’s life.
Photo credits: Doljabi
Photo credits: Reach the World
Doljabi items represent a variety of blessings for the baby. Some of the most common items include string, money, a brush, a bow and arrow for boys, and a needle or scissors for girls. If the child picks the string, it is said that they will have a long and bountiful life. If money is chosen, the child has riches and wealth in their future. Brushes symbolize scholarly traits, and the bow and arrow for boys shows that they will be a great military commander. Lastly, the needle or scissors for girls represents great craftsman skills. Each doljabi item is treasured, and wishes the baby great things for his or her future. My dad always jokes about how he immediately snatched the money during his Doljabi.
Photo Credits: Jote-ta
Photo Credits: Beverly Hills Magazine
The Hanbok
Commonly, the child is dressed in the beautiful Hanbok for their Doljanchi, which is the traditional wear of Korea. This clothing is special and celebrated for multiple reasons, starting back in the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-688 CE).
The hanbok was designed to allow freedom of movement for those wearing it. For women, the hanbok contains the jeogori and chima, which means top and skirt. Men wear jeogori and baji, which consists of a top and pants.
The hanbok has a deep history. In the 19th century, Korea became introduced to western culture as it was liberated from Japan’s rule. During this time, the term “hanbok” was given to distinguish Korea’s unique culture from the other western styles being welcomed to Korea. Hanboks were worn by all citizens, however royalty had different ones to assert their class standing. Today, hanboks are reserved for special events like weddings and birthday parties, to honor Korea’s national identity.
The hanbok is worn in Doljanchi as it holds many messages and meanings, similar to most things used in Doljanchi parties. For example, the red fabric used in a children’s hanbok is said to protect them from bad spirits. The striped sleeves, called saekdong sleeves, represent the values of truth, wisdom, brightness, and protection. Other details, like embroidered flowers, enhance the ceremonial use for the hanbok.
Food
Abundant foods are provided at Doljanchis, and like almost all things used in these celebrations, the foods carry great meaning! Beginning with fruit, an assortment of fruits are piled up high on the table to show prosperity for the child. An essential at doljanchi are rice cakes, and colored rice cakes. These represent harmony, and the colored rice cakes symbolize the baby’s ability to interact well with diversity. Lastly is seaweed soup, which is served at every birthday celebration, the first being a child’s doljanchi. The overload of delicious food communicates longevity, prosperity, and a fulfilling life for the child.
Photo Credits: Audrey Madrigal via Canva
Doljanchi is a wonderful way to celebrate the first birthday of a baby and still takes place today. Its unique and cultural features have taught me a lot about my identity. Doljanchi’s are more than just a tradition, as they embody some of the characteristics of South Korea’s identity. If you ever get the chance, attend a Doljanchi! You will not regret it.
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