Traditional games of Korea
Traditional games of Korea have been influenced by the culture, history and environment of the Korean Peninsula. Koreans have enjoyed games throughout history with family and friends, and the games have created a sense of community. The most popular traditional games are Ganggang Sulrae, Jegichagi, Neolttwigi, Ssireum, Tuho, Hitting Tombstone and Yutnori.
Characteristics
Korean traditional games originated from folk beliefs. The peninsula has been agrarian since ancient times, and Koreans have believed in gods who protect nature and their lands. Exorcisms were performed to increase crops and animal well-being; singing and dancing were popular activities. Traditional games developed during this early period. Although many folk beliefs have disappeared, the games continue to be played.The names and rules of the games differ by region. In Gyeonggi-do, Gonu is called "Gonu, Goni, Ggoni", but in Jeonlado, it is called "Ggon, Ggonu". Under Japanese rule, nearly all traditional games in Korea disappeared.
Most games are played with the hands or feet and do not require equipment or a specific play area. The games are related to the four seasons.
Games
Yutnori
, a board dice game with four wooden sticks, is one of the most popular traditional games of Korea and usually played on the first day of the New Year by two players. Each player takes turns throwing yut sticks. Each stick has two sides, which makes the stick roll. Five combinations are possible with yut sticks: do, gae, geol, yut and mo. A player achieving a yut or mo is allowed to roll again. If a board piece lands on a space occupied by an opponent, it is returned to the start and the player goes again. If a piece lands on a space occupied by one's own team, the pieces can go together. The combinations determine how the board pieces are moved, and the team that moves all four pieces around the board first wins. The game has its roots in divination rituals., late 18th century
''Ssireum'' (wrestling)
Ssireum is similar to Japanese sumo wrestling, with two opponents wrestling each other in a sandy ring. The player who throws his opponent to the ground scores a point. Annual competitions are held, which are popular. Ssireum, a contest of strength and technique, is a form of wrestling unique to Korea.Traditionally practiced as combat and self-defense, ssireum was also part of rituals conducted in the ancient tribal states. Rules evolved, allowing ssireum to develop into a national sport valued for competition and entertainment.
Top-spinning
In top-spinning, played primarily by children, a player spins a wooden top with a stick to make it spin on ice or on the ground. Popular in winter, the games have names which vary by region. The best tops are heavy, with strong tips, and they are often spun in groups.Kite flying
frames are generally made of bamboo, with paper attached. Most kites, rectangular or stingray-shaped, are tethered with string on a reel. Kite flying is a traditional winter game for children and adults. There is a period of kite flying from New Year's Day to Daeboreum, after which the kite string is cut for it to fly away. Kite flying is less common today, due to work obligations, but kites were flown as a distraction from the cold winter.Tuho
was originally popular among royal families and the upper class. In a manner similar to horseshoes, tuho players attempt to throw arrows into the top of a narrow-necked wooden jar. The score is determined by the number of arrows in the jar. Tuho is presently played by people from all classes.According to Rebecca Lucas, tuho was played on the Korean Peninsula during the Gorguryeo Kingdom and is mentioned in the History of Old Tang and the Book of Sui. The game waned in popularity because King Yejong of Goryeo received a tuho set from the Song emperor in 1116 and did not know how it was played. During the Joseon dynasty, it was promoted as Confucian. The game was played by both women and men, including Prince Yangnyong and his sisters, and King Hyeonjong of Joseon and his family.
Gonu
A variety of Pong Hau K'i, Gonu's name and rules vary by region; examples are pond, line or pumpkin gonu. This game is played with a small pebble and a game board drawn on the ground or a piece of paper. Players move their pebbles one block forward, and the player who blocks their opponent's pebble wins.Neolttwigi
is a Korean seesaw. Unlike Western seesaws, where riders sit at each end, neolttwigi participants stand and jump. The game is popular among girls during traditional holidays and festivals such as Dano and Chuseok.Jegichagi
In jegichagi, players kick a jegi and the player with the greatest number of kicks wins, similar to Western Hacky Sack. Usually played in winter, jegichagi's name varies by region. The jegi, similar in appearance to a shuttlecock, is made from a coin and hanji. The player kicks the jegi into the air and continues kicking it to keep it off the ground; switching the kicking foot is permitted. In a one-on-one game, the player with the highest number of consecutive kicks wins; in a group game, players stand in a circle and take turns kicking the jegi. A player who lets the jegi fall to the ground loses and tosses it to the winner to kick. When the loser catches the jegi with their hands, they can rejoin the game.Gonggi
Gonggi is a popular Korean children's game that is traditionally played using five or more small grape-sized pebbles or coloured plastic stones. It can be played alone or with friends. Since only a few stones and a flat surface are needed for play, the game can be played by anyone almost anywhere. The same game also exists in Nepal and it is called Gatti. It is similar to Knucklebones in Western tradition. There are many ways to play Gonggi, but the most typical way to play Gonggi is playing with five marbles or pebbles. Also, Gonggi was played in many other places.Hitting Tombstone
Hitting Tombstone is a traditional Korean game that uses tombstones, which are small square pillar stones. The aim is to knock down the other tombstones. The game used to be played in spring and autumn. There are many different rules and names in different regions.Origin
The game originated from the stones that people threw to protect themselves from savages.How to play
The game is played by two players; the order is decided first. Two lines are drawn on the floor and players stand at regular intervals. The player has to use their tombstone to knock down the other player's tombstone; if they succeed, they have to put their tombstone on top of their foot. The tombstone then needs to be carried to the other player's tombstone without it falling from the foot. Once this is achieved, the previous stages are repeated, but the tombstone is put at a higher part of the body. If the tombstone falls or the player cannot knock down the other tombstone, the turn is handed over. Whoever completes all the stages is the winner.Meaning
The game improves balance and flexibility; it is also amusing since the players make peculiar poses.Juldarigi
Juldarigi is a traditional Korean sport similar to tug of war. It uses two huge rice-straw ropes, connected by a central peg. The ropes are pulled by teams that represent the East and West sides of the village. A number of religious and traditional rituals are performed before and after the actual competition.Rolling hoop
Rolling hoop is a Korean traditional game that uses an iron stick. In the past, people used an old wagon wheel instead of an iron hoop. In the opening ceremony of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, there was a performance that featured rolling hoop.Jwibulnori
Definition
Jwibulnori is a Korean traditional game played on January 15 of the lunar calendar. This day is said to have the largest moon of the year. Many events are done on this day and Jwibulnori is one of them. Cans are filled with flammable items, then people light them on fire. Using a wire connected to the can, it is spun over a person's head. This makes a beautiful image.Origin
The exact origin of this game is unknown. However, it is known that people have used cans since the Korean War. During the war, many military supplies including cans were imported. The cans were played with and it was combined with Jwibulnori.How to play
In the past, people used mugworts. Nowadays, people use cans with many holes that are filled with wood pieces and pine cones. The holes help the can to burn longer since air goes through it. As time passed, the original Jwibulnori and other games were made. The games were slightly changed to make them more enjoyable. One example of the game is people getting into groups and competing. Farmers or young people get into groups and run with torches, burning large areas or turning off the torch from the other side.Meaning
While people do Jwibulnori, other people piled some straw and sticks and burnt the pile. Using this as a sign, people lit fire on fields. The event is done to wish a year of prosperity and prevent harmful insects from damaging the crops; the fire kills harmful insects. It kills mice, which can carry infectious diseases. The soil of burnt weeds becomes manure for the crops, which make the soil richer and the crops grow better. Spinning the can symbolizes evil and bad luck.Seasonal games
| Korean New Year | Daeboreum | Chuseok | Dano |
| Yut | Chajeon Nori | Ganggangsulae | Ssireum |
| Tuho | Jwibullori | Bullfighting | Geunettwigi |
| Neolttwigi | Kite flying |