Isn't the little girl so adorable? ^^

What is Doljabi? 

Doljabi is a Korean tradition where a newly-turned one year old child selects anywhere between 1-3 items from an array of 6-9 items. It is traditionally said for this part of the Dol Ceremony to "predict" the child's future. 

This significant tradition in Korean culture was created to celebrate the health of a child- this was because infant mortality rate was high in historic times. Hence, many Koreans emphasized the importance of life longevity (which continues to this day!). 

But what exactly happens during doljabi? 

During doljabi, a traditional Doljabi set is used. This set includes small objects that range from a bokjumeoni ("lucky" coin pouch) all the way to a string of yarn. Below are a few examples of the items that are commonly featured in a traditional Doljabi set: 

Paintbrush

The child will have power over his or her way with words, and leave a lasting impact on the community with his or her creations. 

Although some doljabi items have changed in modern times, many have remained the same due to their amusing nature. This part of the ceremony always provides some form of entertainment for both the child and all spectators. 

Overall, I hope this blog post cleared up any confusion regarding the Doljabi ceremony and the objects involved in it! 

Until next time! ;)