Tol
In the olden days in Korea, before medical advancement, children often died before their first birthday. Once a child hit 12months, the survival rate was much higher, so this milestone became worthy of a big party. There are four major components to a Tol celebration: 1) praying and giving thanks 2) wearing special birthday clothes, usually a hanbok 3) having a special table and practicing the Toljabee 4) sharing food and drink with family and friends.
All four elements are important but the most unique is the Tol table and performing the Toljabee. The table includes fruits, rice cakes, candy towers and other foods but also includes items that predict the child's future.
The items are moved to a smaller table and the birthday boy or girl sits and chooses items that interest them. Some of the traditional items on the table include: bow and arrow=the child will become a warrior, thread=the child will live long, book or pencil=the child will become a successful scholar, money=the child will become rich, ruler=the child will be talented with his/her hands, spoon=the child will be a good cook. Many parents add more modern and personal items on the table.
We are planning on having a Tol celebration for Gabe in November. Maybe we should include a guitar on the table for our little rock star?
3 comments:
Oh, you should definitely include a guitar! :-)
This is a great post... I may be referring back to it in a couple of months! ;-)
We went overboard with the toljabee table and put way too much stuff out. I like your list of possible items.
(Seth picked money, a pencil, and a book: I think he is going to be a famous author!)
Love these posts!
I can't wait to have one for Noah.....although it will have to be after his first birthday.
Any idea why the food is always in some type of "tower"? I wonder every time I see photos :)
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