Korean Wedding TraditionsCultureCap McCord

Let’s Learn About Korean Wedding Traditions“P'yeBaek “: 

Let’s Learn About Korean Wedding Traditions “P'yeBaek “ By Amy McCord EDU 314 Appropriate for 5th-6th Grades.

 First we start with a Match Maker to select the couple for marriage. : 

First we start with a Match Maker to select the couple for marriage. Matchmakers are used for half of the weddings in Korea today. The matchmaker receives a fee. Families will come to a matchmaker and present their young person with their resumes, and ask them to find a mate that is compatible in social status and future earning potential.

Sur Names: 

Sur Names There are only about 300 surnames. Women do not change their surnames after marriage like we do in America. Sur name is also another way of saying last name.

The Bride’s Dress: 

The Bride’s Dress The bride wears a chogori (short jacket with long sleeves) with 2 long ribbons that are tied to make the otkorum. the traditional Korean costume, the Hanbok, has been worn by men, women and children.

Wedding Symbols: 

Wedding Symbols wedding ducks are a symbol for a long and happy marriage.

Yin/Yang: 

Yin/Yang Marriage represents the union and balancing of the two primary elements of the world: Eum, the dark, female element; and Yang, the bright, male element ("yin" and "yang"). The marriage ceremony took place at dusk, representing a balance between light (day) and darkness (night) The color blue stands for Eum and red represents Yang.

Religion: 

Religion Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution, just like in America, and many of the world's major religions are active in Korea. Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Shamanism are some of the major religions of Korea.

Reception Rituals: 

Reception Rituals Korean people decorate with silk screens and with peonies (flowers) for good luck They also display ducks and geese to represent faithfulness. Guests give gifts of wooden ducks or geese. A harpist plays and family members serenade the newlyweds. Parents trade the couple's astrological information written in calligraphy on special rice paper. Guests toss chestnuts (symbolizing respect) and jujubes (dried red dates symbolizing diligence) at the newlyweds. KOREAN wedding banquets feature a simple noodle soup--the long noodles symbolizing a wish for a long and happy life.

Wedding Gifts: 

Wedding Gifts If you are bringing a gift to the wedding, do not expect that the gift will be opened in front of you. The Korean custom is to open gifts in private.

Wedding Vows: 

Wedding Vows Vows from the groom to the bride: Minister:신랑(groom's name)군, 신랑(groom's name)군은 신부(bride's name)양을 아내로 맞아 합법적인 부부가 되려고 하고있습니다.신랑(groom's name) 군은 즐거울때나 괴로울때나, 건강할때나 그렇지않을때나, 그 어떠한 일이 있더라도 신부(bride's name) 양을 평생 사랑하고, 존중하며, 서로 위로하고 도울것을 맹세하십니까?Groom:예 Vows from the bride to the groom: Minister:신부 (bride's name)양, 신부 (bride's name)양은 신랑(groom's name)군을 남편으로 맞아 합법적인 부부가 되려고 하고있습니다.신부(bride's name) 양은 즐거울때나 괴로울때나, 건강할때나 그렇지않을때나, 그 어떠한 일이 있더라도 신랑 (groom's name) 군을 평생 사랑하고, 존중하며, 서로 위로하고 도울것을 맹세하십니까?Bride:예

Literal translation:: 

Literal translation: Vows from the groom to the bride: Minister:Mr. (groom's name). You are (groom's name) becoming the husband of (bride's name). Are you promising to love (bride's name) and respect her, take care of her, help her, in joyful times and in hard times, healthy times and sickness times, every day, for ever?Groom:Yes, I promise.Vows from the bride to the groom: Minister:Miss. (bride's name). You are (bride's name) becoming the wife of (groom's name). Are you promising to love (groom's name) and respect him, take care of him, help him, in joyful times and in hard times, healthy times and sickness times, every day, for ever?Bride:Yes, I promise.

A Few Differences in Korean and American Wedding Traditions.: 

A Few Differences in Korean and American Wedding Traditions. Korean couples were chosen by parents. The bride’s gown is colorful. The groom's mother and father gather a handful of dates and chestnuts, (they symbolize their hopes for many grandchildren, )Then they toss the dates and chestnuts at the bride American couples choose their own mates. American bride’s gown is traditionally white. American’s traditionally throw rice at weddings.

Activities : 

Activities Check out this educational website for fun games and learn a little about the Korean language. www.kaboose.com

I Hope you have enjoyed your lesson on Korean Wedding Traditions!: 

I Hope you have enjoyed your lesson on Korean Wedding Traditions!

References: 

References http://www.weddingsatwork.com/culture_customs_korean.shtml. This site takes you through the traditions of the traditional Korean wedding. www.worldweddingtradtions.com (gives information on Korean symbols) www.kaboose.com (educational reading site for children and includes Korean language.) http://www.topics-mag.com/internatl/weddings/korean_wedding.htm (explains the traditional attire worn at a Korean wedding along with pictures.

Questions: 

Questions List at least two differences between Korean weddings and American weddings. What is a chogori? Describe the symbolism of the wooden duck. If you attended a Korean wedding, would you expect to see the gifts opened? Can you find any similarities in the two cultures wedding traditions? If so, what are they?