설날 이중과세(二重過歲)에 내포된 사회학적 함의

Abstract

This research examines the historical development of the custom of celebrating both the solar New Year and the lunar New Year in Korea and then explores the sociological implications of such a custom. Korea began to officially use the solar calendar during the Gabo Reform of 1894, which caused a conflict with the existing traditional seasonal custom of celebrating the lunar New Year. The conflict was manifested most intensively in the people’s custom of celebrating New Year’s Day. The policy abolishing the lunar New Year was maintained following the Japanese colonial era until 1984. The custom of celebrating the lunar New Year was eclipsed to some extent because of this policy, but it persisted among the Korean people as a folkway. Eventually, in 1985, the lunar New Year’s Day was designated an official national holiday, or “Day of Folkway,” and in 1999, three national holidays were given to the lunar New Year. Since then, the custom of celebrating the lunar New Year has been rapidly restored, and it has given birth to new customs: People rest at home or go on a trip on the solar New Year’s Day, while families get together to hold a memorial service for ancestors during the lunar New Year holidays, following traditional seasonal customs. However, there was a significant issue with celebrating the traditional seasonal custom of lunar New Year based on Confucian culture, as it was governed by patriarchal elements that discriminate against women. Korea has abolished the patriarchal family register system that was enacted during the Japanese colonial era and pursues gender equality. Therefore, it is expected that the patriarchal culture still remaining in seasonal customs will continue to decay, and a new culture of celebrating the New Year led by women will be created.