
Gaecheonjeol, also known as National Foundation Day, is an official holiday in Korea.
Here’s what Gaecheonjeol is, when it is, and the myth behind it!
Quick Summary
- Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) is a day to commemorate the legendary founding of the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon.
- Gaecheonjeol is celebrated on October 3rd every year.
- Most Koreans celebrate Gaecheonjeol as a simple day off to relax or spend time with family and friends.
What Is Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day)?
Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) is a day to commemorate the legendary founding of the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon (Old Joseon) founded by Dangun in 2333 B.C.
This holiday is technically not a national foundation day.
According to the National Folk Museum of Korea, Gaecheonjeol literally means “opening sky day” and symbolizes the birth of the Korean race.
When Is Gaecheonjeol?
Gaecheonjeol is celebrated on October 3rd (solar calendar) every year.
It used to be October 3rd of lunar calendar, but it has been changed to the solar calendar in 1949 according to the Act on National Holidays (Act No. 53, Oct. 1, 1949).
And yet, Daejonggyo (Daejongism and Dangunism worshiping Dangun) holds a ceremony at the Chamseongdan Altar of Manisan Mountain on Ganghwa Island in the lunar calendar.
What Is the Myth Behind Gaecheonjeol?
The holiday is rooted in the creation myth of Korea.
And here’s an excerpt of How It All Got Started from the book, “A Korean Girl Explains: What No One Tells You About Korean Culture.”
According to myth, Dangun was born from the union of a god and a she-bear. Not so weird when you find out why. Hwanung, the son of the supreme deity Hwanin, descended from heaven to Mount Taebaek to bring order and harmony to the human world. He established a city called Shinshi and taught humans skills and gave them knowledge. One day, a bear and a tiger approached Hwanung, expressing their desire to become human. Hwanung instructed them to eat only garlic and mugwort and remain in a cave for 100 days. The tiger gave up, but the bear persevered and transformed into a woman. Hwanung and Ungnyeo (Bear Woman) became the parents of Dangun. And that’s why kids, we eat so much garlic and mugwort!
A Korean Girl Explains: What No One Tells You About Korean Culture
How Do Koreans Celebrate Gaecheonjeol?
Some Koreans spend the day protesting in Gwanghwamun Square, a.k.a. protest square, just like this year’s article, “Large-Scale Rallies Throughout Downtown Seoul on National Foundation Day… Traffic Congestion,” written by Reporter Park Jun-woo at Munhwa Ilbo.
Most Koreans celebrate Gaecheonjeol as a simple day off to relax or spend time with family and friends.
Conclusion
Although it’s not widely celebrated with large public festivities, Gaecheonjeol is a time for Koreans to reflect on our ancient heritage.
Government buildings display the national flag, and many people enjoy the public holiday as a time to rest or explore Korean history.