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By Kim Jin-heon
On Feb. 5, the first full moon of the lunar year, villagers near Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, celebrated a traditional event called "sheaf burning." Before the event, various activities were held, including games, festivals, and performances. The event culminated with a leader of the village reading a written prayer for the New Year, followed by performances of Korean narrative and trot songs.
Thanks to good publicity, citizens from different areas participated in the event. At 7 p.m., as the full moon rose, all the onlookers and hosts, about 1,000 in total, gathered around the campfire where many visitors had hung ribbons with their New Year's wishes on trees. As the flames rose to the sky, citizens whispered their wishes.
In other villages and townships in the southwestern Jeolla region, similar events were held on the same day.
Korea has a 5,000-year history as an agricultural society, and the moon has played an important role in its culture. The first full moon of the Lunar New Year has traditionally been a time for citizens to pray for health, good harvest and the elimination of evil spirits or bad luck. Sheaf burning has been a turning point for farmers to discard their misfortunes and hope for good harvests.
Linguist and author George Lakoff proposed an experiential interpretation of the symbolic meaning of fire in folklore, where burning represents purification. By burning something, negative energy can be extinguished and evil spirits warded off, thus cleaning up contaminated aspects of human life.
Various events involving fire have been held at homes or in villages on the first full moon day, with farmers naturally praying for well-being and abundance while preventing evil.
Today, younger generations place more value on personal satisfaction, work-life balance and solitary activities such as eating alone. However, a sense of community still exists in some countries and societies, linking past and present, seniors and juniors. Events such as sheaf burning hold a deep meaning for such communities.
For example, Inwol in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, has held an event since 2009 in memory of General Lee Seong-gye's victory over Japan's Azibaldo at the Battle of Huangshan Battlefield (Inwol) at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. Lee had a hard time winning the battle, but he ultimately emerged victorious thanks to the full moon.
In Yeosu's Bongsu Village, forefathers who had lived in North Gyeongsang Province fled to the village during the Japanese invasions of 1592-98 and settled there. Through the event, participants strengthen their spirit in public while remembering the painful memory.
In a diverse and open society, traditional cultural events like sheaf burning are becoming more widely promoted. By doing so, such events can help to foster regional harmony and serve as a place for exchange among citizens, making our society more solid and stable.
He is a retired English teacher who published a book titled, "Flower Is Flower."
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