Sottal
The twelfth and last month of the lunar calendar is traditionally known as Sottal in Korea. Sottal is a thirty-day period beginning between mid-December and the end of January and ending on the eve of lunar New Year's Day, known as Sol. This month was traditionally a time to tie up loose ends and put things in order. It was especially a time to settle outstanding accounts, as no honorable man would allow a debt of his to be carried over into the new year.
The evening of the last day of the month was by far the most important. It was the time of the yearend night watch, Suse. After the end-of-year house cleaning was finished and darkness began to set in, the house was lit inside and out with lamps and lanterns. This was to keep away evil spirits, who were believed to avoid clean and brightly lit places, so that the house would be filled with good fortune for the new year.
Troupes of musicians with drums and gongs went from house to house dancing and playing loud music to drive out any evil spirits that may have been inside. In the royal court a grand exorcising ceremony was performed by twelve masked dancing guards representing the animal signs of the year and four monsterlike, spear-wielding exorcists. On this new year's eve, all were expected to stay awake keeping the night watch till cockcrow. It was believed that if one slept on this night, their eyebrows would turn white. To avoid this, games and activities of all sorts were played.
Sottal customs were actively observed until the end of the Chosun kingdom at the beginning of the twentieth century. Today, Sottal customs have all but disappeared, but it is still customary to settle one's outstanding debts before the beginning of either the lunar or solar new year.
Sol
Further Reading
Adams, Edward B. (1995) Korea Guide. 8th ed. Seoul: Seoul International Publishing House.
Choe, Sang-su. (1983) Annual Customs of Korea. Seoul: Seomun-dang.
Koo, John H., and Andrew C. Nahm, eds. (1997) An Introduction to Korean Culture. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym.
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