Traditional Korean Wedding

Etiquette and rites in Korea
Pyongyang, June 13 (KCNA) -- Etiquette and rites are diverse in Korea called an eastern country of good manners. For Koreans there is strict etiquette of respecting seniors and remaining dutiful to one's parents. They politely bow to elders and have their heads slightly drooped down towards their friends or nod to them as a sign of greeting. Traditional Korean rites include wedding ceremony and celebrations of one's first or sixtieth birthday. Wedding ceremonies usually take place at the houses of the bride and bridegroom separately. In some cases two families have a joint wedding ceremony. on that day families, relatives and friends of the newly-wed couple wish them a happy life, singing, dancing and telling stories. The couple has souvenir photos taken. The custom of monogamy is strictly observed and intermarriage is prohibited in Korea. Sons and daughters arrange ceremonies on the occasion of sixtieth birthdays of their parents. On such occasions children present new dresses to their parents and arrange a feast to congratulate them. It is the common practice for the families to celebrate the birthdays of their members. A feast is arranged on the first anniversary of a child's birth. that day, parents prepare a simple table for their child, wishing him or her happiness. A funeral service usually lasts for 3 days in Korea. Participants in the service dig a grave, place a coffin in it and then properly cover it with earth. The dead body is also cremated according to the wishes of the deceased and the bereaved families. Participants in memorial services for the deceased place bunches of flowers on the graves and observe a moment's silence in memory of the dead.