한국에서 생일 기념의 사상적 의미

Abstract

This paper is to examine the meaning of birthday celebration in an ideological and philosophical dimension, particularly in terms of the oriental view of life and death (死生觀), philosophy of ‘life (生)’ and the idea of ‘filial duty (孝).’ These are separate notions but ultimately connected as one. Korean people have inherited ideological and cultural tradition that stresses birth and life. Birthday rituals are based on the principle of life respect, which also implies one should well maintain and preserve one’s body and pass it down to the next generation. It refers to the view of continual life and death in Confucianism. The idea of ‘filial duty’ is fundamentally rooted in continuity itself, an attribute of life. ‘Being continual’ does not mean that natural life of a single individual is infinite. It signifies transcendence of death and eternal life through the continual prospect of ‘giving birth and being born.’ Human desire for ‘continuity of life’ is linked to traditional idea of ‘filial duty’, which has critically contributed to rootage of birthday rituals. The link between birthday rituals and culture of filial duty is found through historical cases that descendants hold a memorial service to celebrate their late parents’ birthday, particularly their 60th anniversary. Birthday in Korea is definitely a ritual to assure ourselves of ‘being alive’ and ‘continuity of life.’