Significance of Chuseok

Chuseok is the day to devote on the ancestor-memorial services in the remembrance of the ndebtedness to the ancestors. It probides an opportunity not to forget our root and to pay back the grace, which we received from our ancestors. At the same time, scattered family members gather together to help and reconcile with one another and participate in the memorial services to the same ancestors It has the significance of remembering the received grace and having the desire to pay it back by bowing reverently to the God of Heaven on this national festive day.

Here is the reason why so many people visit their hometown, disregarding the dreadful traffic jam. It seems that this mentality stems from the customs of agricultural society of the past and the influence of the Confucianism culture, which became the foundation for the ancestor worship.
The customs of Chuseok has also a social significance. Although industrialized society brought about the sbattering of the family, Chuseok provides the chance for their reunion. It functions as the center of affirming the cooperation and reconciliation among the family members. Although we live in the age of materialism, we give gifts to people close to us and bisit our parents' home with the items for the ancestor memorial services. Accordingly, Chuseok becomes an intermediary to connect the affectionate fellings of people, who are being forgotten in our daily life.