Celebrating and Understanding Korean Parents Day

I think the month of May is the Family Month. United Nations set May 15th as an International Parents Day, but it seems that day is not very familiar among world community as it commemoration didn’t echo around the globe.

Koreans also considered May as “The Family Month”. “Because in May, Korean at least commemorate three important days; Children Day on May 5th, Parents Day on May 8th and Teacher Day on May 15th. Those days are special days in Korea,” Public Relations Korean Culture Center (KCC) Indonesia, Kimberly Dewi Febrianti said on the sidelines of the“ Korean Parents Day” event at KCC office in Jakarta.

Participants “Korean Parents Day” Event at KCC Indonesia

In commemoration Korean Parents Day, KCC Indonesia invited Indonesians who interested in Korean culture so they can learn more on how Korean celebrating its Parents Day. From the event that day, I came to know the story behind Korean Parents Day. It was back to 1956, the missionaries from United States introduced Mother Day to Korean. Then, first president of Republic of Korea Rhee Syng-man (이승만) decided to set May 8th as Korean Mother’s Day. As time goes by, fathers in Korea began to feel envious why there is only mother’s day, there is not fathers’ day . So, in 1973, Korean government set May 8th as Korean Parents Day.

One of participant seriously making carnation

Here we are with our red carnations :)

On Parents Day, Koreans are usually pinning the carnation flower in right chest. Each colour of carnation flower has its own significance. Red carnation means parents, both mother and father are still alive. Pink carnation means one of parents, whether mother or father is still alive. White carnation means both mother and father have passed away.

So, on Parents Day event at KCC, the participants also made carnation flower from paper, with read or pink colour. It’s quite simple to make the artificial carnation from papers material but I needs some efforts to make it look like a real beautiful carnation.

My red carnation. not bad … :)

It’s also said that on Parents Day as it is considered as ‘family day’, many Koreans spend the whole day with all member of family. Children who already have their own income usually give special gift to their parents. According to Kimberly Dewi Febrianti, KCC Public Relation officer who explained us about Parents Day in Korea, there are three favourites gift today for Parents Day; money allowance, medical check-up and vacation packages.

Happy Parents Day greeting

I felt impressed knowing about Parents Day in Korea. I got more knowledge about culture and tradition in Korean society. In my country, Indonesia, we just have Mother’s Day celebrated every December 22nd, there is no Parents Day or Father’s Day. But I think we all have the same spirit to commemorate those special day to show our love, care and respect to our parents.

*this article also published at blog.korea.net and at korea.net