User:Worbszld

< Definition > As with all holidays, Seollal is filled with tradition: traditional foods, traditional games, and traditional activities. One of those activities at Seollal is performing sebae (세배). Sebae is a deep formal bow of respect that the younger members of the family perform before the oldest members of the family. A well-performed sebae results in a gift of money from the older family members.

< How to do sebae > MEN: 1. Place your left hand on top of your right hand. (For funerals, it's the opposite, right hand over left.) 2. Stand up straight with your hands resting in front of your stomach/abdomen (right below the navel). 3. Raise both hands to your chest. 4. Bend both knees to kneel. 5. Place both hands on the floor as you kneel. 6. Bend your upper body and bow your head - touching the bank of your hands. 7. Once your head touches the back of your left hand, stand up by raising your right knee first. 8. Raise both hands up to your chest once more before returning your hands to their natural position.

WOMEN: Women were traditionally expected to perform more respectful (deep) bows more often in their daily life than were men. Consequently, there is both a formal jeol (bow) for women and a simplified one. Formal bow (jeol) - for showing respect on special occasions such as weddings, etc. 1. Place your right hand on top on your left hand (For funerals, it's the opposite, left hand over right). 2. Raise both hands (in the correct position) up to your eye level. Your head should be slightly bowed and your eyes on your feet. 3. Sit down, cross-legged, with your hands still raised to eye level. (This takes practice - sometimes two other women help). 4. Bend your upper body about 45 degrees. Your arms will be about chest level and your head will be just above your hands. 5. Stay in this position for 2-5 seconds before getting up. You must maintain your hands in the original position - they must not separate. 6. Rise (gracefully - on your own or with help) from the cross-legged position until you are standing with your hands in front of your lower abdomen.