Parent's day
Parents' Day in Korea: a celebration of gratitude and love
In South Korea, Parents' Day (어버이날, Eobeoinal) is an important holiday celebrated every year on May 8th. It represents a special moment to express gratitude and love toward parents and grandparents. The celebration is marked by affectionate gestures, gifts, and family events. Straddling the line between Mother's Day and Father's Day found in other countries, Parents' Day combines the two celebrations into one, illustrating the centrality of family in Korean culture.
Origins and history of Parents' Day
Parents' Day was established in 1956, initially under the name "Mother's Day." However, in the 1970s, the South Korean government decided to expand this celebration to include fathers, recognizing the crucial roles both parents play in family life and in raising children. The date of May 8th was officially designated as Parents' Day in 1973. Since then, this holiday has become an occasion to pay tribute to all parents and highlight the importance of filial piety, an essential value in Korean society.
Celebrations and traditional gestures
On Parents' Day, children, both young and old, show their respect and love through various symbolic and festive gestures. Here are some of the traditions that mark this special day.
Carnations: Symbol of Respect and Love
One of the most emblematic traditions of this day is the offering of red (or sometimes pink) carnations. These flowers symbolize respect, affection, and gratitude toward parents. Children often pin these flowers onto their parents' clothing as a visible sign of their appreciation. In some families, children also wear carnations in honor of their parents. Streets, stores, and schools are also decorated with carnations, adding a festive touch to the atmosphere of the day.
Cards and Letters of Gratitude
In addition to flowers, it is common for children to write letters of thanks to their parents. These letters, often filled with sincere feelings, express everything that children feel but do not always say in daily life. For young children, schools encourage the writing of letters or creating personalized cards as classroom activities. These small gestures of gratitude are highly valued and sometimes more precious than material gifts.
Family Meals and Gifts
The family meal is at the heart of the celebration of Parents' Day. Children organize special meals for their parents, often at restaurants or at home. Preparing a meal for parents is a symbolic gesture, showing not only love but also a willingness to take care of them. Some choose to cook their parents' favorite dishes or traditional Korean dishes such as galbi (marinated beef ribs) or jeon (vegetable or fish pancakes).
In addition to meals, parents often receive gifts. These can be symbolic items such as clothing, accessories, or even electronic devices, depending on the parents' preferences and the children's means. But regardless of the material value of the gifts, it is the gesture of love and recognition that matters most.
The values of filial piety in Korea
Parents' Day highlights a fundamental value of Korean society: filial piety. This concept, inherited from Confucianism, emphasizes the importance of respecting, honoring, and taking care of one's parents. In Korea, the role of parents is particularly valued, and this day allows children to show their gratitude for the sacrifices their parents have made to provide them with education, support, and a solid foundation for their future.
In Korean culture, it is also common for adult children, once they start working, to provide financial support to their parents as a sign of gratitude. Parents' Day is an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment, even though gestures of affection and recognition go far beyond material aspects.
Modern celebrations and adaptations
As Korean society evolves, the way Parents' Day is celebrated also changes. Today, with families often living geographically separated due to jobs and studies, it sometimes becomes more challenging to gather in person. However, technology allows for maintaining connections. Video calls, messages, and sending gifts by mail have become popular ways to celebrate Parents' Day from a distance.
Additionally, public events are sometimes organized by schools or local communities to honor parents. Ceremonies and performances featuring children expressing their gratitude through artistic performances take place in some cities, adding a festive and collective aspect to the celebration.
The festive side of Parents' Day
Even though Parents' Day is primarily a day of respect and gratitude, it is also joyful and festive. Streets and stores are often decorated with carnations and messages celebrating family. Parks and public places organize special events where parents and children can spend time together, play games, attend concerts, or simply enjoy the day outdoors.
In some families, this day is also an occasion to reunite with extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, for a communal celebration. Meals then extend into large gatherings where everyone expresses their love and gratitude for the elders.
A day of gratitude and reflection
Parents' Day in Korea reminds children how essential it is to appreciate their parents' efforts and sacrifices. Beyond gifts and flowers, this day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of family, the bonds that unite us, and how each person can continue to honor and support their parents throughout the year.
Conclusion: A day of recognition and unconditional love
Parents' Day in Korea is a celebration that is both touching and joyful. By anchoring gratitude and love in simple yet symbolic gestures, this day reminds everyone of the importance of parents in our lives. Whether through flowers, meals, or sincere letters, children express their appreciation for those who raised them, thereby strengthening family bonds.
So, if you have the opportunity to be in Korea on May 8th, you will see streets adorned with carnations, smiles, and warm family reunions, proof that love and gratitude toward parents are at the heart of Korean culture.
