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We Arrive at a Full Age
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Coming-of-Age Day
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By Lee, Yong-nam, Reporter, leeyn@knu.ac.kr
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등록일: 2008-05-01 오후 2:14:01
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▲ One of the coming-of-age day presents- kissing
ⓒ photo by picture of naver |
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A coming-of-age day is the special day to anyone. This is the day for celebrating people who arrive at a full age. ”I fell into Ilcheongdam when my friends pushed me to give me a special experience. Also, after I came out, I fell in again with one of my friends because I hoped to share this memory. Although I got a rash on my face, I will never forget what happened that day forever,” Noh Min-su(Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, senior) said. Lee Min-jeong, a freshman in the Dept. of Business Administration, told us she dreams of having a sweet kiss with her boyfriend like a scene of a movie. Perhaps you also have a precious memory or an expectation about your coming-of-age day.
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This special time marks a young person's transition from adolescence to adulthood. This time is considered as the beginning of adulthood and is the minimum legal age for voting, drinking, and smoking. The ceremony celebrating coming-of-age varies in different countries. In the past, and in some societies today, the change has been associated with the age of sexual maturity; in others, it was connected with the age of religious responsibility. Coming-of age day means that boys and girls who become at adulthood confirm and learn the pride and responsibility which come with the change.
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▲ One of the coming-of-age day presents- perfume
ⓒ photo by Anna Sui |
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Looking back into Korea history, many think that custom of a coming-of-age ceremony started from Mahan, which was one of the Samhan period. Some existing records tell us that boys made a scar on their back, and then moved a log and built a cabin with this log to learn how to stand on their own legs. Furthermore, in the Goryeo Dynasty, a document about the event tells us that King Gwangjong dressed his son in a vest(the ordinary dress of adult men). In the Joseon Dynasty, many formalities of coming-of-age day prevailed. Boys aged from 15 to 20 wore a traditional Korean hat(gat), and this Korean tradition is called Gwanrye. After Gwanrye, they held a ritual of Chorye. Through this ceremony, they learned how to drink alcohol and they were allowed to drink it from that day. Moreover, 15 years old girls put their hair up in a chignon(Jjok). This ceremony was called Gyerye. However, traditional ways have sadly disappeared and have given way to Western styles today. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has made efforts to revive the old customs in promoting the teachings of the ancestors, and many regions have revived the coming-of-age ceremony on the third Monday of May.
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It is common to give and receive three presents at the coming-of-age day. A bottle of perfume, 20 roses, and a kiss are gifts which are presented for this day. Of course, there are special meanings. A bottle of perfume is that please always remember me and 20 roses mean that I want you to know that I love you from the bottom of my heart. Finally, A kiss has meaning that I love you.
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▲ One of the coming-of-age day presents-roses
ⓒ photo by picture of naver |
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Commonly we think the day as the third Monday of May in Korea. However, it is not correct. In fact, there are two opinions about the day when is coming-of-age day. Since 19 years old males and females are accountability for their behavior in civil law, the celebration’s date is the 19th birthday. The other is the third Monday of May. The month was decided in 1978. May was chosen because it is a month of family as well as the season of fresh greenery. At the 19th birthday family congratulates the child who becomes an adult at home. Outside the home, the festival is practiced on the third Monday of May.
Purposes of celebrating the day tend to go to the wrong way such as just receiving and giving expensive presents. However, the most important thing of the day is realizing the social obligation and what the adult is. We should think again the meaning of the day with making a wonderful memory.
How Do Other Countries Celebrate This Day?
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1. America
On the third Sunday of May(Citizens’ Day), those who have started to vote are congratulated by friends and relatives. The age at which one becomes an adult is different from state to state, but most states consider it as the date of the 18th birthday, so this day is celebrated by families and relatives. Moreover, parents teach their sons and daughters about their responsibilities at this time.
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2. Japan
The Coming of Age festival in Japan is on the second Monday of January, a national holiday. It was celebrated on January 15 each year until 1999. Its Japanese name is Seijin no hi. Celebrations are held nationwide in every town with most of the people turning 20. Girls wear Kimonos and boys wear dark colored suits. Their parents save money for a long time to buy the new Kimonos. This Kimono is usually different from other Kimonos. It has very long sleeves to the bottom and can cost from a half million to one million yen(from five million to ten million won).
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3. Indians living in Malaysia
During the day, Indians use coconuts. They regard the split shape as symbolizing the future for girls. The uncle sprinkles mud, scatters twigs and dead leaves(signifying purity) on the girl’s instep. 10 cents and a package of nuts are put in each hand. Next, the uncle pours coin and milk on the girl’s hair. After he finished, he tries to split the coconut into exact halves. They believe that if he divides it exactly, her married life will be happy. The milk represents divine beauty. The scent is wealth, and the glass means that a healthy baby will be born.
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4. Africa
There is no country which has distinct characteristics about this ceremony more than Africa. Africans concludes whether adulthood has been reached or not according to a test of physical pain. The Hamareu tribe has a procedure in which the boys run over the back of cow. The tribe thinks those who not pass this process ‘donkeys,’ signifying that they are still not immature persons. Moreover, they are exposed to ridicule or beaten by women. In other tribes, persons failing the test spend tow or three years with vagabonds after building a house of unmarried persons. During this time, they learn patience and train themselves to come back into society.
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5. Israel
The Wailing Wall is a really famous holy place for Jews. Jewish men have a ceremony when they are 13 years old at the Wailing Wall. Jewish children who live in other countries have to come to the Wailing Wall with their families. Their fathers explain the story which began 3500 years ago, and the children have to memorize the story, which explains their religion and its history.
[No.328]
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 Review |
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 Book cafe |
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 Language Usage |
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 Reader's Letters |
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