Being in the San Francisco Bay Area and attending a church with many Korean families, we have had the opportunity to attend a couple of dols (also spelled "dohl"), which are Korean 1st Birthday parties.
From Wikipedia:
Dol or doljanchi is a Korean tradition that celebrates the birthday of a one-year-old baby. This ceremony blesses the child with a prosperous future and has taken on great significance in Korea. The birthday babies wear a hanbok and a traditional hat: a jobawi or gulle for baby girls and a bokgeon or hogeon (호건) for baby boys.The highlight of the dol is a ritual where the child is placed in front of a table of foods and objects such as string, books, brushes, ink and money. The child is then urged to pick up an object from the table. It is believed the one selected will foretell the child's future. For example, if the child picks up a brush or book, he is destined to be a scholar. If he picks up money or rice, he will be wealthy; cakes or other food, a government official; a sword or bow, a military commander. If the child picks up the thread, it is believed he will live a long life. Modern parents put a computer mouse on the table, which means the success in the high-tech field, or a toothbrush, hoping that the baby will be a dentist. This is followed by feasting, singing and playing with the toddler. Most often, guests will present gifts of money, clothes, or gold rings to the parents for the child at this time.I am now offering premade doljabi board designs in my Etsy shop. This is for the design only, and doesn't include the printing. You can get these printed pretty much anywhere you can get a poster or poster board printed.
Check out my
"Korean 1st Birthday" section in my shop.
Have a blessed day!
Angie
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