Korean Traditional Game : Haemaji Julnori

Korean Traditional Game Series 50

Haemaji Julnori

(해맞이 줄놀이 · Korean Sunrise Rope Play)

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🕰️ 1. Introduction

Haemaji Julnori (해맞이 줄놀이), or Sunrise Rope Play, is a traditional Korean folk game held at dawn to celebrate the first sunrise of the New Year.
The word Haemaji means “welcoming the sun,” and this beautiful custom blends play, ritual, and hope — expressing the wish for good fortune, health, and success in the coming year.

As villagers gathered before dawn, they would greet the rising sun together while performing rope games (Julnori), symbolizing unity and the strength of community ties.
The act of pulling the rope was not just a game — it was a joyful ceremony connecting people, nature, and the new light of the year.

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🪄 2. How to Play and Celebrate

1. Preparing the rope:
   A long and thick rope made of straw (jul) is prepared, often over several days.
   The rope is so large that many hands are needed to carry and twist it together.
   Sometimes, two ropes — representing male (su-jul) and female (am-jul) — are joined as a symbol of harmony and fertility.
2. The sunrise gathering:
   Before sunrise on New Year’s Day, villagers gather at a hill, field, or seaside to face the eastern sky.
   As the first light appears, people bow, cheer, and clap, celebrating new beginnings.
3. Playing Julnori:
   After greeting the sun, the rope play begins.
   Two teams pull on opposite ends of the giant rope, shouting rhythmic chants like
   “하나! 둘! 셋! 당겨라!” (“One, two, three, pull!”).
   The team that pulls the rope across the center line wins — and it’s said that their side of the village will enjoy a more prosperous year.
4. Sharing joy:
   When the game ends, everyone celebrates together with rice cakes, warm soup, and songs.
   The rope is sometimes hung at the village entrance afterward to protect against bad luck.

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👀 3. Example from Life

As dawn breaks over the horizon, golden light spills across the frozen fields.
Villagers, bundled in warm clothes, gather around a massive straw rope coiled like a sleeping dragon.
The drums beat, and as the sun rises, the crowd shouts in unison — “새해 복 많이 받으세요!” (“Wishing you a blessed New Year!”).

The rope tightens, feet dig into the earth, and laughter echoes as both teams pull with all their strength.
When the game ends, everyone bows toward the sun — tired but smiling, hearts glowing brighter than the morning light itself.

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🌏 4. Similar Traditions Around the World

• Japan: Tsunahiki, New Year’s tug-of-war symbolizing good harvests and luck.
• Philippines & Indonesia: Rope-pulling festivals to mark community unity and strength.
• Western countries: Tug-of-war games during harvest or village fairs, representing teamwork and celebration.

Across the world, rope-pulling games connect people through shared effort — turning simple strength into collective joy and harmony.

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💌 Closing Words

Haemaji Julnori is more than a morning game; it is a living prayer woven with straw and sunlight.
Through the act of pulling together, people remind themselves that every bright beginning is built on unity, laughter, and shared hope.
As the first sun rises, so too does the spirit of the community — strong, warm, and filled with light.

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📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
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