Happy Korean New Year

[SAITF Research.and.Education]

Dear Taekwon-Do friends,

"Receive many New Year blessings!" This is the translation of the Korean new year's wish: Sehaebok manhi bad-eu seyo! 세해복 많이 바드 세요!

Today is Seollal, the beginning of the Korean Lunar New Year, and one of the two major holiday celebrations in Korea. Seollal is a three day celebration that includes the day before and after the actual New Year's Day. These additional days are often used to travel to one's home town and back. Think of Easter Weekend traffic in South Africa -- only much much worse.

On Seollal children make a deep formal bow to their parents and grandparents, and wish them many blessings for the coming year. The parents and grandparents in turn give gifts (usually pocket money) and words of wisdom to their children. Other ancestrol rites may also occur.

According to Chinese astrological superstition, which is also partially adhered to by Koreans, 2012 is the year of the Black Dragon, or Water Dragon. The dragon is a tumultuous creature which could forebode many changes in this year, especially considering that the dragon is the transition creature from the Wood element to the Fire element. Although the black / water aspect associated with this dragon may have a tempering effect.

Happy 2012 and remember to greet your instructors today and tomorrow with a cheerful: Sehebok manhi bad-e seyo!