Explore the rich tapestry of family bonds and traditions woven through Korea's Baek-il celebration, a pivotal 100-day milestone that honors the health and future of newborns.
Today, I want to celebrate this beautiful tradition in the Korean culture. The "100 days celebration" or "Baek-il" (백일). This is a significant milestone in Korean culture that celebrates a baby's first 100 days of life, and having the opportunity to share this important moment with a beautiful and loving family, at my studio, was a dream come true.
The Baek-il celebration holds great significance in Korean culture. It is a traditional ritual that marks the 100th day of a baby's life. In Korean belief, this milestone is considered important as it symbolizes the successful survival of the newborn through the vulnerable early stages of life. Baek-il is a joyous occasion that celebrates the health and future of the baby, and it is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Korea.
The 100 days celebration (Baek-il) in Korea is a cherished tradition that highlights the importance of family, community, and the beginning of a child's journey through life. It holds several important reasons and significance:
Celebrating the 100 days in Korean culture is a meaningful way to recognize a baby's early milestones, express gratitude for their health and well-being, uphold cultural traditions, strengthen community ties, and offer blessings for their future. It is a blend of practicality, cultural heritage, and heartfelt wishes for the newborn's journey through life.
Baek-il is a special occasion that strengthens family bonds. It provides an opportunity for family members to come together and celebrate the joyous milestone of the baby's 100th day of life. Through this celebration, family members can bond over shared traditions, rituals, and memories. Baek-il fosters a sense of unity, love, and support within the family, creating lasting connections and strengthening the familial bond.
Baek-il is marked by various traditional practices and symbols. One common tradition is the doljabi ceremony, where the baby is presented with a selection of items that represent different aspects of life. The item that the baby chooses is believed to indicate their future path and talents. Other traditional practices include wearing hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), performing ancestral rites, and preparing special food such as red bean rice cakes (patjuk) and seaweed soup (miyeokguk). These practices and symbols add depth and meaning to the Baek-il celebration.
Sharing Korean traditions while living in the USA can be a meaningful way to maintain cultural heritage and connect with your roots. That's what I love the most about the 100 days celebration! And having memories to commemorate that day is the best gift for generations to come!
I loved that this family embraced their traditional clothing and symbols. By wearing traditional Korean garments such as hanbok for these special photoshoot, they imbued a deep sense of honor for their Korean heritage and cultural traditions.
These memories will help their kid explore their Korean-American identity and prompt discussions about heritage, history, and the importance of cultural traditions.
As an immigrant myself, I love how these 100 day tradition maintains a strong connection to Korean culture despite living abroad. It's a way to celebrate diversity and enrich family life with the richness of Korean traditions.
Photographing a milestone
Photographing a baby's 100 days is a cherished tradition in Korean culture, known as "Baek-il" (백일). This practice holds several cultural and practical significances:
I was so honored to be the photographer that captured the baby's 100 days, and to document the celebration of this child's health, growth, and future, surrounded by a beautiful and lovely family.
This Milestone will be captured forever in a magical set of photographs and albums.