{"id":661,"date":"2026-10-07T15:17:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kortale.com\/en\/dongji-winter-solstice-korean-traditions\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T15:18:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:18:01","slug":"dongji-winter-solstice-korean-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kortale.com\/en\/dongji-winter-solstice-korean-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little New Year: Warmth, Red Beans, and Growing Up on Dongji"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Experience the warmth of winter through the eyes of eight-year-old Buni on Dongji, the longest night of the year, when people enjoy bowls of warm red bean porridge and jokingly gain a year of age.<\/p>\n

The Little New Year When the Sun Renews Its Strength<\/h3>\n

Dongji is the winter solstice\u2014the day with the longest night and the shortest daylight among the twenty-four solar terms of the year. Though the sun lingers the least on this day, it marks a vital turning point: from here on, the dwindling daylight slowly begins to lengthen once more. To our ancestors, Dongji was a profound moment when the sun gained fresh vigor and was reborn.<\/p>\n

Commonly called ‘Asae’ or the ‘Little New Year,’ folk tradition treated Dongji as a major holiday second only to Lunar New Year’s Day. An old saying went, ‘You only truly gain a year of age after passing Dongji,’ or ‘You receive an extra year of life by eating Dongji red bean porridge,’ a custom known as *dongjicheomchi*. For eager children longing to grow up quickly, nothing was anticipated quite as much as the savory aroma of red bean porridge on this Little New Year.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/figure>\n

Hurry, Before the Tiger Gets Married<\/h3>\n

It was a freezing morning when the biting winter wind whistled sharply through the gaps in the traditional paper doors. The moment eight-year-old Buni opened her eyes, she threw off her bedding and bolted straight for the kitchen.<\/p>\n

“Grandma! Is the red bean porridge ready yet? I get to eat it and turn nine now, right?”<\/p>\n

Squatting by the kitchen floor tending to the brazier, Grandma clicked her tongue in amusement as her grandchild flung the door wide open. It was cold enough to turn every breath into a puff of white vapor.<\/p>\n

“Slow down, child, your feet will freeze. Go slip on your padded socks at least. Do you have any idea how cold it is outside? They call Dongji ‘the day tigers get married’ because the weather is so bitterly cold and the night is dead silent. Do you think red bean porridge pops out like magic just like that?”<\/p>\n

“Really? Is it that cold outside? Then we need to eat the porridge fast before the tigers finish getting married!”<\/p>\n

Buni bounced up and down on her heels, peering anxiously toward the heavy iron cauldron. Eager to run errands like the older neighborhood boys and develop a deeper voice, Buni had only one thought in mind: emptying a bowl of red bean porridge and stepping up into her ninth year.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/figure>\n

Red Beans and White Socks<\/h3>\n

Inside the kitchen, a sweet, earthy fragrance of boiling red beans was already billowing into the air. Grandma was busy straining previously soaked red beans through a fine sieve after boiling them soft in a large pot. Nearby, a basket sat piled high with smooth, round white dumplings made from kneaded glutinous rice flour.<\/p>\n

“Grandma, why do we always use red beans for the porridge? Can’t we use regular beans or rice?”<\/p>\n

Buni asked, playfully poking one of the rice dumplings. Wiping sweat from her forehead, Grandma calmly answered:<\/p>\n

“Long ago, a man named Gonggong had a foolish son who unfortunately passed away on Dongji day and turned into a pestilence spirit. He went around spreading nasty plague across the entire village, but that spirit was terrified of red beans. That’s why we cook red bean porridge to chase away the plague spirit and keep our household clean.”<\/p>\n

Before she even finished speaking, Grandma picked up a sewing basket sitting by the kitchen door. Inside lay neat stacks of crisp white cotton socks she had spent several sleepless nights stitching.<\/p>\n

“Cooking porridge isn’t the only thing on the list. On Dongji, we have to observe *dongjiheonmal*\u2014gifting newly sewn socks to our elders while offering a pair to our lonely uncle’s family down the hill. We have plenty of ground to cover today!”<\/p>\n

\"An<\/figure>\n

Crackling Bottoms and Crossed Wires<\/h3>\n

While Grandma stepped across the yard to deliver a pair of sock blanks to a neighbor, Buni grew impatient. Sitting on the wooden veranda waiting felt like watching the Dongji sun crawl at a snail’s pace. Inside the cauldron, the red bean liquid was bubbling and frothing.<\/p>\n

‘If I stir it up and get it cooked myself, Grandma will be pleased and I can eat my porridge that much sooner!’<\/i><\/p>\n

Buni gripped the large wooden ladle with both hands and thrust it straight into the pot. She began whipping the thickening red bean mixture around with all her might. However, the heavy bean paste was much thicker than she expected, and right at the bottom of the pot\u2014left sitting over a hasty, roaring flame\u2014an ominous crackling sound began to pop.<\/p>\n

“Wait, why does it smell like that?”<\/p>\n

A sharp, acrid burning scent rose up amid the smoke. Flustered, Buni tried to yank the ladle out, accidentally knocking the rim so hard that red bean water splashed out of the pot, causing her to tumble backward onto her bottom in shock. At that exact moment, the kitchen door swung open to reveal Grandma standing face-to-face with her.<\/p>\n

“Goodness gracious, what on earth do you think you’re doing?!”<\/p>\n

Grandma rushed forward, quickly dragging the burning firewood out from under the hearth. Overwhelmed by shame for scorching the pot bottom and the terror of being scolded, Buni hung her head low and her lips trembled.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/figure>\n

The Warmth Carried in Calloused Fingertips<\/h3>\n

Buni closed her eyes tight, bracing for a furious roar. Instead of a fierce lecture, however, she heard a deep, heavy sigh.<\/p>\n

Examining the inside of the pot carefully, Grandma used a ladle to gently scoop the unburned upper liquid into a separate pot. Fortunately, the entire batch of porridge hadn’t been ruined. Sitting back down with a groan, Grandma rubbed her rough, calloused hands against her trousers. The tips of her fingers were clearly marked with tiny, reddish pinpricks from sewing.<\/p>\n

“Buni, were you really in such a rush just to grow a year older?”<\/p>\n

At Grandma’s damp, gentle voice, Buni mumbled a barely audible reply:<\/p>\n

“I’m sorry, Grandma… I just wanted to eat it fast and turn nine…”<\/p>\n

“Growing older isn’t just about emptying one more spoon and suddenly becoming an adult. On the long, long night of Dongji, boiling these red beans and sewing these socks is a prayer\u2014a wish that our family won’t fall ill to the harsh winter winds and that our neighbors’ feet won’t freeze. My hands may crack and my eyes grow dim, but I pour that care into it because if the porridge burns, where are we supposed to find warmth in our home this winter?”<\/p>\n

Looking down at Grandma’s chapped hands, a lump caught in Buni’s throat. She finally realized that Grandma sewing by the dim lamplight every night and lingering before the smoky stove since the bitter dawn was all exhausting labor devoted to keeping her and her family safe and sound.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/figure>\n

A Red Heart Cast Upon Pine Boughs<\/h3>\n

Buni jumped up to her feet and rolled up her sleeves.<\/p>\n

“Grandma, I’ll help. I might not be good at stirring the porridge, but I can do other things well!”<\/p>\n

Buni blinked at her grandchild in surprise before the corners of her mouth curved into a faint smile. With a fresh fire built and left to simmer carefully, the red bean porridge regained its smooth, glossy crimson luster, and the round rice dumplings bobbed to the surface once more.<\/p>\n

Grandma ladled the steaming hot porridge into a large bowl and fetched a bundle of pine branches from the corner of the yard.<\/p>\n

“All right then, let’s see Buni hold these pine boughs.”<\/p>\n

Buni generously coated the fresh green pine needles with steaming red bean porridge. Following closely behind Grandma, she stepped out toward the main gate with bold strides.<\/p>\n

“Away with bad spirits, and keep everyone in our family healthy!”<\/p>\n

Buni flicked the pine branches vigorously, sprinkling red bean porridge across the wooden gateposts and the nearby earthen walls. The crimson droplets splattered against the clay wall, sparkling like tiny jewels under the chilly winter sunlight. It wasn’t just a playful game; an earnest wish to safely weather the bitter winter was fully captured in Buni’s small fingertips.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/figure>\n

A Year Older and a Warm Pair of Socks<\/h3>\n

After evenly sprinkling porridge across the yard and gate entrance, the two of them stepped back into the cozy floor-heated inner room. Two bowls of red bean porridge puffing gentle clouds of steam sat waiting on the low table. Stirring with a spoon, soft, round dumplings revealed themselves.<\/p>\n

“Now, Buni. I’ve counted and dropped nine rice dumplings into your bowl\u2014matching your exact age. Chew them thoroughly.”<\/p>\n

Buni lifted her spoon, blowing gently on the piping hot porridge before taking a bite. The smooth, sweet flavor of the red bean melting on her tongue combined with the chewy dumplings warmed her straight down to her heart. After cleanly finishing her bowl of porridge, Buni stood up and sat respectfully before Grandma.<\/p>\n

“Happy Dongji greetings, Grandma. Please stay healthy all winter long.”<\/p>\n

With both hands, she offered a pair of white cotton socks she had stashed away in a corner of the room that morning without Grandma knowing. Out of all the pairs Grandma had sewn for the neighbors, Buni had neatly folded away a special pair meant for Grandma herself using her own little hands.<\/p>\n

Taken completely aback, Grandma accepted the socks and gently stroked her grandchild’s head.<\/p>\n

“Our Buni didn’t just eat red bean porridge today\u2014you’ve truly grown a year wiser at heart.”<\/p>\n

Outside the door, the biting gale of ‘the day tigers get married’ still howled fiercely, but the warmth of the red bean porridge filling the room and the tender affection shared between the two was deep and cozy enough to melt away any long winter night.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/figure>\n
\n

Definition and Significance of the Little New Year<\/h2>\n

Dongji (Winter Solstice) occurs when the sun reaches the southernmost point of its path (the Tropic of Capricorn, 23.5 degrees south), corresponding to a solar longitude of 270 degrees, typically falling around December 22 or 23 in the Gregorian calendar. It is the day with the longest night and shortest daylight of the year. In folk tradition, Dongji was widely known as ‘Asae’ or the ‘Little New Year,’ treated as a major holiday second only to Lunar New Year due to its profound symbolism of the sun’s rebirth. The custom of *dongjicheomchi* dictates that one only truly grows a year older after passing Dongji or eating Dongji red bean porridge. Because the weather is freezing and nights are long, it is also playfully nicknamed ‘the day tigers get married.’<\/p>\n

Historical Background and Literary Records<\/h2>\n

In ancient China’s Zhou dynasty, Dongji was celebrated as the New Year because life and light were believed to be reborn then. The Tang dynasty’s *Xuanming Calendar* also treated Dongji as the beginning of the calendar system, and the 11th month (associated with the *Fu* hexagram in the *I Ching*) was designated as the starting month of the year. Korea adopted China’s calendars during the Silla and Goryeo dynasties\u2014transitioning to Yuan’s *Shoushi Calendar* in the first year of King Chungseon (1309)\u2014and likely observed Dongji as the New Year prior to King Chungseon’s reign. Meanwhile, Christmas in Western countries is also historically linked to early Christianity adopting Mithraic solstice celebrations and sun-worship customs, echoing the Roman Saturnalia festival where December 25 commemorated the rebirth of the sun following the solstice.<\/p>\n

Major Court and Folk Customs and Foods<\/h2>\n

On Dongji day, people consume *dongji juk*, a porridge made by boiling mashed red beans and adding glutinous rice dumplings called *saealsim*. According to folklore, Gonggong had a foolish son who died on Dongji and became a plague spirit; because this spirit feared red beans, people cooked red bean porridge to drive him away. Consequently, people sprinkled red bean porridge around gates and walls where people passed, sent porridge to houses in mourning, or offered condolences when neighbors experienced a loss. Protective folk practices included writing the Chinese character for snake (*sa*) upside down to ward off evil spirits, and the custom of *dongjiheonmal*, gifting socks. In the royal court, the Naeuiwon (Royal Pharmacy) prepared *jeonyak*\u2014made by boiling ox bones with various medicinal herbs and honey\u2014to present to the king and distribute among government offices. Other vital items included calendars (*Hwangjangryeok*, *Cheongjangryeok*, *Baekjangryeok*) compiled by the Gwansanggam (Bureau of Astronomy) and distributed to officials, as well as citrus fruits (*gyul*, *yuja*) sent as tribute from Jeju Island to be offered at the Jongmyo Shrine and shared with officials.<\/p>\n

National and court rituals included the *Dongji hoerye-yeon* banquet for monarchs and courtiers, dispatching the *Dongji-sa* envoy to China, the *Hwanggam-je* examination for Sungkyunkwan and private academy scholars rewarded with citrus fruits, ancestral rites (*Dongji gosa*) offering red bean porridge at shrines before eating, presenting dried herring (*cheongcheon-sin*) at ancestral shrines, and visiting Buddhist temples to eat red bean porridge (*Dongji bulgong*).<\/p>\n

Regional Variations in Customs<\/h2>\n

Dongji customs vary by region. In Gyeonggi-do, families held ancestral rites with red bean porridge at household shrines before placing bowls in rooms, verandas, and storage areas to share together. In Gyeongsang-do, red bean porridge was dipped onto pine boughs and sprinkled on gates, stone walls, courtyards, and large village trees to block evil spirits; in Mirang Namji, the *yonggali* (dragon plowing) ritual was performed to divine the next year’s farming success. In Gangwon-do, *ongsim* (dumplings made of glutinous or sorghum rice) were added to the porridge corresponding to one’s age, and laborers were said to eat nine bowls of porridge while carrying nine bundles of firewood, believing that a warm day causing the porridge to spoil foretold a bumper harvest next year. In Chungnam Yeon-gi, people visited temples for *Dongji bulgong* before cooking porridge at home, with distinctions made between *aegi-dongji* (eating red-bean rice cakes), *nodong-dongji* (porridge), and *jung-dongji* (either cakes or porridge). In Chungcheong-do Hongju Hapdeok, cracks in frozen pond ice resembling plowing furrows appeared (*yonggali*), used to divine the next year’s harvest based on the direction of the fissures.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Dongji Customs Surviving to the Modern Era<\/h2>\n

To this day, the belief of *dongjicheomchi*\u2014that one only ages a year after Dongji\u2014persists in folk consciousness. Moreover, the custom of exchanging calendars for the coming year around the year-end Dongji season remains active, alongside the tradition of making red bean rice cakes during rituals praying for household peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n
\"A<\/figure>\n

The Boundary Between Fictional Narrative and Historical Fact<\/h2>\n

The protagonist Buni’s everyday personality and dialogue, her conversations with her grandmother in the kitchen, the minor mishap of nearly burning the porridge, and hand-delivering homemade socks are literary creations. However, historical and folkloric facts form the foundation: Dongji being the longest night and the sun’s rebirth, the Little New Year designation, *dongjicheomchi* and the ‘tiger getting married’ folklore, Gonggong’s pestilence son and the red-bean-sprinkling ritual, and the *dongjiheonmal* sock-gifting custom are all firmly rooted in documented history and folklore.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\ud83c\udfa8 Color This Story Yourself<\/h2>\n

Open and start the coloring page for this story<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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