Korean Baby Dol (First Birthday) and Baegil (100-Day) Customs

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The meaning of samchilil and the guardian rope (geumjul)
When a baby was born, it was customary to hang a guardian rope (geumjul) at the gate or front of the house to keep outsiders from entering for samchilil, the 21 days after birth — this carried the meaning of protecting the mother and baby from impure influences and germs. Red peppers and charcoal were hung on the rope for a boy, and pine branches and charcoal for a girl, also signaling the baby's gender.
The origin and meaning of the baegil (100-day) celebration
The baegil celebration marks the 100th day after a baby's birth; in the past, when medicine was less developed and infant mortality was high, it became established as a way to celebrate and give thanks that the baby had safely grown to 100 days old.
The origin and meaning of the dol (first birthday) celebration
The dol celebration is a grand commemoration of a baby's first birthday; like the baegil celebration, it originated from celebrating a baby's survival in an era when it was difficult for a child to grow healthily even to age one. Records show even the Joseon royal court held elaborate first-birthday celebrations for the crown prince, reflecting a long-standing tradition.
The doljabi custom
Doljabi is a game in which various objects — rice, thread, money, a brush or book, a bow, and more — are laid out in front of the baby, and the baby's future is divined based on which object they pick up first; rice was believed to symbolize wealth, thread longevity, and the brush and book scholarship. In recent times, objects symbolizing modern professions, such as a stethoscope, a microphone, or a computer mouse, are sometimes included as well.
First-birthday attire (dolbok, hanbok)
The traditional hanbok a baby wears for their first-birthday celebration is commonly called "dolbok"; the traditional attire consists of a colorful striped jeogori (jacket) and vest for a boy, and a colorful striped jeogori and skirt for a girl, along with elaborate accessories such as a dol belt, a bokgeon (boy's cap), or a jobawi (girl's hood).
The culture of sharing baegil-tteok and dol-tteok (rice cakes)
For baegil and dol, it was customary to make baeksulgi (white steamed rice cake, symbolizing purity) and susu-patteok (millet and red bean rice cake, believed to ward off bad luck) and share them with neighbors; neighbors who received rice cake would reciprocate with thread or money, offering wishes for the baby's health and good fortune.
Recent changes in dol celebration culture
In recent years, small-scale dol celebrations inviting only family and close friends have become more common instead of large gatherings, and it has become increasingly common to give a return gift instead of distributing rice cake in person, or to simplify things further by skipping the celebration entirely in favor of a family meal.

Why are the dol and baegil celebrations so special?

The dol and baegil celebrations are representative Korean childcare customs that celebrate a baby having safely grown and wish for their future health and happiness. Even today, with advanced medicine, the meaning of celebrating a baby's growth together remains cherished.

Curious about the hanbok worn at a dol celebration?

If you're curious about the traditional dolbok a baby wears at their first-birthday celebration, along with the basic composition and types of hanbok, take a look at our guide to types and features of hanbok as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good dol celebration gift?

A gold ring, baby clothes, diapers, and childcare items are commonly given as gifts, and in recent years, giving cash or a gift certificate to express congratulations has also become common.

Does the baegil celebration have to be a big event?

No. These days, it's increasingly common to simply have a meal with close family or mark the occasion with a photo shoot instead, and the baegil celebration is gradually becoming more low-key.