First Birthday in Korea

  A dol-zan-chi is the first birthday party in Korea. Before a dol-zan-chi, parents prepare a lot of things. First, they choose the date with their elders who give them advices. After that, they order 4 types rice cakes. Red rice cakes hope for health, White rice cakes hope for longevity, sticy rice cakes hope for patience, and rainbow rice cakes hope to realize desires. In addtion to rice cakes, they prepare many fruits and foods except peaches because people believe the devil likes peaches. As well, they prepare a pen, a book, money, and rice for dol-zap-i which their baby chooses one thing of them, and they guess their baby’s life. A Pen or a book means the scholar, and money or rice means a rich man. Further, they prepare their baby’s dress for the party. The dress usually is a rainbow-striped dress. Before the party, they take many pictures. At the party, their relatives and friends come and give some gifts and blessings for their baby. The gift is usually a gold ring. Everybody watches dol-zap-i, eats delicious foods, talk each other, and has a great time.