Skip to main content

Color Guidance Lanes (Joo-haeng-yu-do-seon ): What are those bright pink and green lines on the road?

In the past, Koreean highways and city intersections were incredibly confusing. When approaching a largejuction (a place where multiple roads meet) , drivers had to quickly read multiple overhead signs. This confusion caused drivers to change lanes at the last minute, leading to severe traffic accidents.    In March 2011, a tragic and fatal traffic accident occurred at the Ansan Juction on the West Coast Expressway. A paassenger car and a cargo truck crashed simply because they were confused about which lane to take. In fact, this area always used to be a frequent car accident spot, with 20~30 traffic accidents occuring every year.  So Mr. Yoon Seok-deok, an employess of the Korea Expressway Corporation wanted to do something about this problem. One day, he went home and watched his children drawing pictures on the floor with colorful paint and crayons.  Watching them , a brilliant idea flashed in his mind: what if we colar the roads just like my children's drawings,...

Bokjori: The Traditional Korean Lucky Charm

Have you ever heard of Bokjori (복조리), the traditional Korean lucky charm? This woven bamboo strainer is not just a kitchen tool but a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Korea. Especially around the Lunar New Year, Bokjori is hung on walls to invite luck and ward off misfortune. Let’s explore the fascinating tradition of Bokjori and its cultural significance.


🎍 What is Bokjori?

Bokjori is a tool to sift dirt from rice traditionally used in Korean households. While it originally served as a tool for washing rice, its meaning has evolved over time. Today, it is a symbol of luck and wealth, with many Koreans believing that hanging a Bokjori in their homes brings good fortune.


✅ Material: Bamboo
✅ Shape: Round, woven strainer
✅ Symbolism: Luck, prosperity, and protection from bad energy
✅ Best Time to Hang: Lunar New Year’s Eve




🎍 The Tradition of Buying Bokjori

One of the most famous Bokjori markets is in Andong, a city known for preserving Korean traditions. Every year, people gather to buy Bokjori at the crack of dawn on Lunar New Year’s Day, as it is believed that the earlier you buy it, the more luck you will receive in the coming year.

🎍 How to Use Bokjori

Koreans typically hang Bokjori on walls or doors, especially in kitchens, to attract wealth and good luck. Some families even keep multiple Bokjori in different rooms to enhance their fortune.

🎍 Modern Adaptations

While traditional Bokjori is still popular, modern variations are now available in miniature sizes, decorative designs, and even as keychains. These contemporary versions make great gifts and souvenirs, spreading Korean cultural heritage worldwide.




Bokjori is more than just a woven bamboo strainer—it is a cherished part of Korean culture and tradition. Whether you believe in its power or simply appreciate its beauty, adding a Bokjori to your home could be a meaningful way to embrace Korean heritage.

💡 Interested in more Korean traditions? Check out our guide to Lunar New Year customs and lucky charms! 👉 Read More

Popular posts from this blog

Master List of Korean Seafood — Explained Simply

Ever walked past a seafood section and thought, "What is all this?" If you've been to a Korean market or restaurant, chances are you've come across unfamiliar seafood names like gajami , gaebul , or seop . Don't worry — in this post, you'll get a complete and simple breakdown of Korean seafood names, their English translations, and how they’re commonly used. Whether you’re a curious foodie or just want to know what you’re ordering, this guide is for you. 🐟 Fish (생선류) Korean Name English Name Description 가자미 (Gajami) Flounder Flat, delicate flesh, great grilled or in stews 넙치 (Neobchi) Halibut Large flatfish, firm white meat 광어 (Gwang-eo) Olive Flounder Most common sashimi fish in Korea 고등어 (Godeungeo) Mackerel Oily and rich flavor, usually grilled 갈치 (Galchi) Hairtail Long and shiny, often braised 연어 (Yeoneo) Salmon Fatty and bold, eaten raw or grilled 참치 (Chamchi) Tuna Served raw or cooked, versatile 명태 (Myeongtae) Alaska Pollock Used fresh, dried, or ferm...
Read more

How Cotton Came to Korea and Changed Korean Life (Mun Ik-jeom story)

Before Cotton: Clothes Were a Winter Problem Before cotton became common, ordinary Koreans mainly depended on hemp cloth . Silk was available, but it was expensive and mostly used by the upper class. Hemp was strong, but it was rough and did not keep people very warm. That was a serious problem during Korea's cold winters. This meant that many poor people suffered severely in winter, and in extreme cases some even died from the cold. After cotton was introduced, this situation changed dramatically. There is also an interesting story about how cotton first arrived in Korea. 1363–1364: The Seeds Came from Yuan China In 1363 , near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, a Korean diplomatic mission went to the Yuan Dynasty , the Mongol-ruled dynasty in China. One official on that mission, Mun Ik-jeom , returned to Korea in 1364 with about ten cotton seeds. According to a well-known story, he hid the seeds inside a writing brush case (this is the famous anecdote), but it is important to note t...
Read more

Doljanchi : the baby’s first birthday (Doljabi)

  Have you ever been to a baby’s first birthday party in Korea? If not, you’re in for a treat. Korean first birthdays are not your typical “cake and candles” kind of thing. It's a big, meaningful celebration with deep historical roots. Let me tell you why it’s so special. Baek-il (백일) So, in the past — especially before modern medicine — infant mortality was really high. Babies often didn’t survive the first few months. That’s why when a baby made it to 100 days old, called "Baek-il" in Korean, it was already considered a miracle. Families would throw a small party to celebrate, inviting relatives, neighbors, and pretty much anyone who wanted to come. It was kind of like saying, “Hey! Our baby made it this far — let’s celebrate life!” But the even  bigger  celebration came at the baby’s  first birthday , which we call  "Dol"  or  "Doljanchi."  By that point, if the baby had reached one year, the family felt hopeful that the child would live a lo...
Read more