Korea has a wealth of deep culture to explore. Its history is full of interesting stories and traditions. One of the most interesting part of their history is the development of the Korean rites of passage. In traditional Korea, there are four rites of passage:
• Coming-of-age
• Marriage
• Funeral
• Ancestor Worship

Coming-of-age: This rite marked adulthood. A boy became an adult at age twenty and he would tie his hair into a topknot on top of his head. It was different for girls. They became adults at fifteen and they would roll their hair into a chignon and use a pinyo (hairpin).

Marriage: Marriages were generally arranged. They were decided on by elders and confirmed by a matchmaker. In traditional Korea, the wedding took place at the bride’s home.

Funeral: Funerals were designed to mourn the loss of loved ones. It was during the Choson period that funerals became very intricate and was no longer limited to just immediate family. The funeral process is a complicated process that is full of ritual in each step. I am only providing very limited detail. Here are the steps to the traditional funeral process:

• Ch’ojong (initial departing) – This is where the family waits for death and discusses what will happen right after death. There is a ceremonial wailing (kok) and the garments are collected.
• Sup (cleansing the corpse) – The body is washed and dressed.
• Soryom (wrapping the corpse) – The body is wrapped in clothing and a cover.
• Taeryom (placing the corpse in the coffin) – The body is placed in the coffin.
• Songbok (dressing oneself) – The family has to put on mourning clothes and they have to wear mourning clothes for a certain period of time depending on how closely they are related.
• Chosang (visitors paying homage) – Visitors come to visit with the relatives of the deceased.
• Munsang (hearing of death) – There is a procedure for mourning if you were away for the first part of the ritual.
• Ch’ijang (preparing the grave site)
• Palin (starting the funeral procession)
• Kupmyo (arrival at the grave site)
• Pan-gok (wailing upon return)
• Uje (rites to console the deceased) – This is designed to comfort the deceased and help them find their resting place.
• Puje (placing the tablet) – The tablet is placed with the ancestors.
• Sosang (small service) – Thirteen months after the death.
• Taesang (large service) – Twenty-five months after the death.
• Tamje (a memorial rite) – Two months after Taesang.
• Kilche (good rite) – A memorial rite held the month after Tamje.

Ancestor Worship: The worship of ancestors is an important part of the culture. It is important in Confucianism to provide their ancestors with a continuity of their line. They view it as a link between the living and the dead.

This information came from “Rites of Passage” a publication from the Republic of Korea, Korean Overseas Information Service.

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