Chuseok: Korea's Harvest Festival and a Time for Family

Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위), is one of Korea's most important traditional holidays. Falling on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it coincides with the full harvest moon. Often described as the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, Chuseok is a time to give thanks for the year's harvest, honour ancestors, and spend time with family.

A Tradition Dating Back Centuries

The origins of Chuseok can be traced back to the Silla period (57 BC–AD 935). Historical records describe a month-long weaving competition called Gabae, in which two groups competed in weaving before gathering for food, drink, music and festivities. Over time, the occasion developed into the harvest festival we know today.

The timing of Chuseok is significant. By the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the year's crops have traditionally been harvested, making it a natural occasion to celebrate abundance and give thanks for a successful harvest. Even though modern Korea is no longer predominantly agricultural, this connection with the harvest remains at the heart of the holiday.

Remembering Those Who Came Before Us

One of the most important Chuseok traditions is charye (차례), a memorial ceremony held to honour ancestors. Families prepare a table of food, traditionally including newly harvested rice, fruit, rice cakes and other dishes, and offer it to their ancestors as a gesture of gratitude and remembrance.

Many families also visit ancestral graves in a tradition known as seongmyo (성묘). It is common to tidy the area around the graves and pay respects to family members who have passed away.

Food, Family and Togetherness

Perhaps the most recognisable Chuseok food is songpyeon (송편), small half-moon-shaped rice cakes traditionally filled with ingredients such as sesame seeds, beans or sweetened fillings. Families may make songpyeon together, making the preparation itself part of the celebration.

But Chuseok is about much more than rituals and food. For many Koreans, it is a time to return to their hometowns, gather with parents, siblings and extended family, share a meal and catch up with relatives. Traditionally, it was also a time for community celebrations, including folk games, dancing and wrestling.

A Celebration of Gratitude and Connection

At its heart, Chuseok is a celebration of gratitude and connection. It is a time to give thanks for the year's abundance, honour those who came before us, and appreciate the family and community we share our lives with. Although the way we celebrate Chuseok has changed over the centuries, its spirit remains much the same: coming together, remembering where we come from, and making time for the people who matter most.

Working with Korean colleagues, clients or partners around Chuseok? Get in touch for translation that carries the cultural meaning as well as the words.