Cultural Post #3

[Joanne Bong]

Traditional Korean Wedding Customs

Korean weddings are very unique and have proceedings rooted in tradition and Confucian principles. Recently, more Korean weddings have included modern western wedding customs like having a bridal party or wearing white, westernized wedding dresses as we would see in America. Many Korean wedding traditions have also faded due to the fading prominence of arranged marriages in Korea. However, many weddings continue to incorporate tradition. 

In a traditional Korean wedding brides and grooms will wear hanbok which are traditional formal clothing that are made of silk and feature bright dyes and intricate embroidery. These clothes are long and flowy with many different layers. More specifically, the bride may wear red colors while the groom wears blue to symbolize unity and represent the two colors in the South Korean flag. 

Geese are a symbol for a long and happy marriage so the groom may give a wooden carved goose called “kireogi” (기러기) to the bride’s family during the ceremony. A table and two rugs will then be set for the bride and groom. Attendants wash the bride and groom’s hands to symbolize purification. Then, the bride will bow twice to the groom and the groom will bow once to the bride. This is followed by drinking wine from a copper cup to symbolize their relationship, or sip from two gourd halves connected by a thread to symbolize unity of the two people. 

One of the most important moments of the Korean wedding is called “paebaek” (폐백) which actually happens after the public ceremony. This practice truly shows how much importance Korean culture places on familial bonds. Paebaek is a ritual which represents the moment when the groom’s family welcomes the bride into their family and home. A key element of this ritual is that the bride and groom will sit on one side of a table laden with tea and a variety of traditional Korean foods like tea snacks, chestnuts, jujubes, and fruit. The groom’s parents will be on the other side of this table and accept the newlyweds who present a deep bow. The bride will offer a cup of rice wine to the groom’s father while the groom offers it to the mother. The parents will then give wisdom and advice to the newly married couple. A fun activity that happens after is when the parents toss a handful of chestnuts and jujubes at the couple. The couple will try to catch as many as they can in the skirt of the bride’s dress which signifies how many children they will have (chestnuts symbolize sons while jujubes represent daughters). Even in more modern and westernized Korean weddings, paebaek will be included as a way for the bride and groom’s families to give gifts and celebrate the new union.

In a more modern wedding, there will be both a western and traditional Korean processing where the bride and groom first wear western modern white dress and suits and have a typical western ceremony. However, the bride and groom will then change into hanbok and include elements such as the sharing of wine, bowing, and paebaek at the end of the ceremony. 

As Korean weddings continue to evolve, the delicate balance between tradition and modernity reflects the enduring commitment to honoring familial ties and cultural heritage.

[Henry Mitchell]

I love the bright colors of traditional Korean wedding outfits. Kireogi and Paebaek sound like very interesting and unique traditions. I am glad that Koreans are trying to retain their cultural heritage and keep their traditions alive. It would be a shame if western style weddings completely replaced Korean tradition.

[Annie Hankin]

I didn't realize how much Korean weddings were incorporating western culture. I wonder what this reason is other than globalization of western culture. I wonder why an arranged marriage would deter tradition instead of embracing it, since they both seem like a remnant of the past traditions of maintain the normal marriage ceremony. I didn't realize how there was so much symbolism in Korean weddings, like the colors for unity and the South Korean Flag, washing hands for purity, and drinking from connected gourds to reflect relationship and committment. Learning all of this symbolism and the importance of these rituals makes one truly understand and appreciate the value of a marriage and traditions.

[Xiwei Gu]

Your exploration of Korean weddings beautifully captures the delicate balance between tradition and modernity. The incorporation of western customs alongside traditional practices signifies a fascinating evolution in Korean wedding ceremonies. The symbolic elements, such as the colors in the hanbok, the wooden carved goose, and the paebaek ritual, provide rich insights into the deep cultural significance attached to familial bonds. The continued practice of paebaek, even in more modern weddings, highlights the enduring commitment to honoring heritage. Your description paints a vivid picture of the intricate proceedings, showcasing how Korean weddings serve as a reflection of cultural values and evolving societal norms.