Repeated Advice from Joseon Scholars: "Conduct Ancestral Rites Modestly"

Sungkyunkwan Recommends Simplified Ancestral Rites Table
'Hongdongbaekseo' Not Actual Etiquette
Joseon Confucian Scholars Also Emphasized 'Frugality'

Sungkyunkwan has attracted attention by revealing the 'proper way to set up a charye table' ahead of this year's Lunar New Year. Sungkyunkwan, which is establishing etiquette in line with tradition, has been researching simplified holiday etiquette that reduces the burden on people of all ages under the banner of 'Confucianism suited to the times' since last year.

The Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee (Establishment Committee) held a press conference at the Korea Press Center on the 16th to introduce 'holiday greeting methods and charye plans.' Among these, the charye table was presented as a form with a total of nine types of food, including rice cake soup, namul (seasoned vegetables), grilled dishes, kimchi, alcohol (cups), and four types of fruit.

Various jeon (Korean pancakes) and colorful fruits, which are commonly associated with the 'charye table,' were not recommended. Sungkyunkwan explained, "Foods fried or pan-fried in oil do not necessarily have to be placed on the charye table," adding, "You can stop the hard work of frying jeon now." Regarding fruit, they repeatedly emphasized 'convenience,' saying, "You can comfortably place 4 to 6 types."

Prevent 'Holiday Syndrome'... Sungkyunkwan Establishes a Standard for Simplified Charye Table

An example of the Lunar New Year ancestral rites table prepared by the Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee / Photo by Sungkyunkwan Yudohoe Headquarters

This is not the first time Sungkyunkwan has recommended a 'simplified charye table.' During last year's Chuseok, Sungkyunkwan also recommended a standard charye table excluding labor-intensive foods such as jeon. At that time, Sungkyunkwan emphasized, "Charye is food filled with the sincerity of descendants who cherish their ancestors," adding, "If this causes suffering or family discord, it is certainly not desirable."

There have been many opinions that the Lunar New Year and Chuseok, the nation's biggest holidays, are burdensome due to the preparation of the charye table in the past. New terms such as 'holiday syndrome' and 'holiday stress' have emerged, meaning exhaustion from frying jeon during the holiday period.

Especially amid international crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused soaring prices of grains, meat, and fruit last year and this year, setting up the charye table has become an even bigger concern. In a 'Ritual Culture Awareness Survey' conducted by the Establishment Committee in July last year targeting 1,000 adults in Korea, 'simplification of the charye table (40.7%)' was identified as the most urgent issue to improve in holiday culture.

Confucianism Actually Recommends 'Frugal Ancestral Rites'... "We Must Inherit a Happy Traditional Culture"

On the morning of the 16th, participants demonstrate the proper way to perform the New Year's bow at the 'Simplified Lunar New Year Ancestral Rite Together' press conference held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Moreover, the extravagant charye tables of the past do not align with Confucianism, which values practicality and frugality as virtues. At this press conference, Sungkyunkwan emphasized, "Expressions such as Hongdongbaekseo (紅東白西) and Joyurishi (棗栗梨枾) are not found in literature dealing with etiquette."

Hongdongbaekseo refers to the order of placing red fruits in the east and white fruits in the west on the charye table, and Joyurishi refers to jujube, chestnut, pear, and persimmon. Some households have prepared ancestral rites tables according to this order, but Sungkyunkwan explains that there is no need to prepare specific fruits.

In fact, Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty left several writings recommending that ancestral rites be conducted frugally. For example, in 'Galamjip,' written by Galam Lee Hyun-il (1627?1704), a Joseon-era civil official and Confucian scholar, it is emphasized, "It is better to have a grieving heart than to perform funeral and ancestral rites with formalities, and it is better to be frugal than extravagant."

Regarding this, Choi Young-gap, chairman of the Establishment Committee and head of the Sungkyunkwan Confucianism Association Headquarters, said, "We will ask for opinions from Confucian scholars and the public and conduct research on ritual culture, with a results report meeting planned around September this year," adding, "Ultimately, we aim to inherit a happy traditional culture without family discord, gender conflicts, or generational conflicts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.