Coming of Age Day

Coming of Age Day, which falls on the third Monday of May, is the day on which young adults officially announce their coming-of-age at the age 20 at a special ceremony. This day replaced the traditional coming-of-age ceremony, and was designated as a commemorative day organized by the Korean government in 1973.

경북 안동의 성년의 날 의식을 보여주는 표

Coming of Age Day in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Samgarye (三加禮)	Suja	Greetings to the Family Elders

Traditionally in Korea, noble families held the official ceremonies known as "Gwanrye" (冠禮) and "Gyerye" (笄禮) in accordance with the book of family rituals titled Jujagarye (朱子家禮), which was written by the Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi (朱子). The ceremony had the purpose of announcing that a child was now an adult. "Gwanrye" refers to the custom observed by young men, upon completing the coming-of-age ceremony, of wearing a topknot and a headdress; whereas "Gyerye" refers to the custom observed by young women, upon completing the coming-of-age ceremony, of doing their hair up in a chignon embellished with an ornamental hairpin called a "binyeo." It was customary for young persons to participate in the Coming-of-Age ceremony once they reached the age of 15, whereupon they were assigned a social position and social responsibilities.

성년의 날 행사

Coming of Age Day Events in Nam-gu, Ulsan

The traditional coming-of-age ceremony and the modern one share the same purpose and meaning; however, their procedure and contents differ. The traditional ceremony followed complex procedures. For a boy, for example, he was given a real name and a pen-name. The modern-day coming-of-age ceremony is a simplified event in which a young person’s coming-of-age at 20 is announced and encouragement is given.