A ‘Doljabi” is the main highlight of a Korean tradition which celebrates a baby’s first birthday through a grand banquet or ceremony called ‘Doljanchi”. The ceremony is a way to celebrate and bless the baby with a healthy life and prosperous future.
The ‘Doljabi‘ is a tradition where the baby is usually wearing a traditional Korean hanbok, and placed in front of various items. Each item represents the baby’s bright future career or lifestyle path. The guest and family then encourage the baby to grab one or two of the items that were placed in front of them.
The tradition items used include:
A bow: destined to be a great warrior; courageous
Medallion: high status; government official
Set of coins: wealth; wise investor; live in abundance
Fortune pouch: lucky or blessed; inherit good luck and everything they do will be good
Brush: wise person; scholar, would change the world through writing
Yarn: long life without illness
5 color paper: vigor; long live full of energy
Medicine pot: doctor; save lives
Rice ball: life of plenty
Over the years, the types of items or objects used for this tradition have changed to reflect modern society’s view of a sucessful future or career choice.
Some of the modern items include:
Gavel: judge or lawyer; embodies justice of the world
Camera: photographer; shares beautiful things and help correct bad things
Microphone: entertainer; singer or celebrity who has a good influence on people
Stethoscope: doctor or medical personnel who is will save lives
Ball: athlete who will become famous
Computer mouse: engineer or tech specialist; make the world easier to live in
The list of the modern items goes on and can be adjusted in any way as long as it represents a bright future for the child. Although there are many items to use for the doljabi, we suggest using 5-8 items. We hope this full-filled tradition will continue to carry on throughout the generations to come.
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