Celebrating the 23rd Full Moon Festival with the Burning of the Moon House
By Na Kyung, 14th SNS Reporter
<Celebrating the 23rd Full Moon Festival with the Burning of the Moon House>
Date: March 3, 2026
Location: Along the Han River in Gaya-eup, Hamann County (767-3 Geomam-ri)
Hosted by: National Farmers' Association, Hamann County Farmers' Association
Hello!
To celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year, various events were held in different regions.
I visited the site of the Moon House Burning event in Gaya-eup, Hamann, and it was an exciting experience!
What is the Moon House Burning?
On the Full Moon Festival (the 15th day of the lunar calendar), a wooden or bamboo structure called a Moon House is set ablaze. This tradition symbolizes burning away misfortune and wishing for good fortune in the new year.
The Moon House is typically constructed from pine branches, bamboo, and straw, stacked into a conical shape with a central pillar.
This was my first time experiencing the Moon House Burning, and I was amazed by its scale and the joyful atmosphere that made me feel as if all my troubles had vanished.
The enormous size of the Moon House prepared in Hamann was truly impressive!
Seeing the small people beside it gives you a sense of its scale, right?
I was worried about the bad weather leading up to the event, but fortunately, it cleared up on the day of the festival.
Many residents and officials attended the event.
A variety of programs were prepared for the Moon House Burning, including folk games, a traditional ritual, an opening ceremony, and the burning itself, making it a delightful experience for people of all ages.
A makeshift stage hosted performances of traditional Korean music and speeches.
Various folk games such as kite flying, Tuho, kicking a Jeogi, and Yutnori were also available for participation.
Although these are traditional games, they are not as easily accessible today.
Watching people fly kites and play games created a joyful atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the Moon House Burning is making wishes!
You can write your wishes and hang them on the Moon House, hoping for them to come true.
It's a simple act but filled with heartfelt intentions.
I hope my wish will soar up with the flames of the Moon House!
Meanwhile, traditional foods were being prepared and participants donned Hanbok for the ritual.
The ritual is a respectful way of asking for blessings while burning the Moon House.
After the ritual, there is a custom of sharing food and drinks.
At the event, various rice cakes, meat, and makgeolli were shared, strengthening the sense of community.
As the opening ceremony commenced, more residents gathered at the Moon House Burning site.
The wish notes became denser, filled with heartfelt desires.
After the opening ceremony, traditional music and farming performances energized the event.
The performance of Hamann Hwacheon Nongak, a cultural heritage of Gyeongsangnam-do, was particularly captivating.
This traditional performance, passed down for generations in Hwacheon Village, celebrates good harvests and peace.
The performance lasted for about 30 minutes and was filled with energy and excitement.
The lively rhythms are believed to ward off misfortune, and the powerful spinning of the hats was a highlight.
After the performance, the actual Moon House Burning began at 6:14 PM, coinciding with the rising full moon.
Before the main Moon House was set ablaze, a smaller one was burned first to clear away any negative energies.
When the flames were ignited, I was surprised by how quickly they roared to life.
There is a belief that if the flames burn brightly and steadily, it signifies a prosperous year ahead.
The sound of the bamboo popping as it burns was believed to chase away evil spirits.
As the flames rose high, it signified a bountiful harvest for Hamann this year!
It was my first time witnessing such a large fire up close.
I hope all misfortunes are burned away and that the wishes tied to the Moon House come true.
The flames were powerful, causing the Moon House to burn quickly.
Another interesting belief is that taking the ashes of the burnt Moon House and spreading them on fields will lead to a good harvest.
It's impressive how the heartfelt wishes of our ancestors continue to be passed down.
The 2026 Moon House Burning event in Hamann was conducted safely and without incidents, filled with sights, activities, and delicious food.
I plan to participate in the Moon House Burning every year from now on.
If you get the chance, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself!
Thank you for reading!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224207340802
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