Korean Traditional Game : Juldarigi

🍂 Korean Traditional Game Series 7

Juldarigi
(줄다리기 · Tug-of-War)

🕰️ 1. The Game

Juldarigi, or Korean tug-of-war, is a traditional community game that symbolizes cooperation, strength, and the wish for prosperity.
It is typically played during festivals or agricultural celebrations, especially around the first full moon of the lunar year (Jeongwol Daeboreum).

Two teams pull on a massive rope made from rice straw, with each side representing different sections of the village—often the East and West, or men and women.
Victory was believed to bring good harvests, harmony, and blessings to the winning side’s community.

 

🪄 2. Rules & How to Play

Two enormous straw ropes are joined together in the center with a large wooden peg or knot.
Each team lines up on either side, grasping the rope firmly.

At the signal, both teams pull with all their might, trying to drag the opposing team across a marked line.
The match continues until one side clearly overpowers the other.

Traditional instruments such as the buk (drums) and taepyeongso (horns) are often played to heighten the excitement and unity.

 

👀 3. Example from Life

In many villages, Juldarigi was more than a contest of strength—it was a festival of togetherness.
Men, women, and even children participated, cheering and laughing as they pulled the great rope in unison.

Afterward, people shared food, sang folk songs, and celebrated the spirit of community and cooperation.

 

🌏 4. Similar Games Around the World

• Japan: Tsunahiki, a similar rope-pulling event held during local festivals.
• Cambodia & Laos: Traditional tug-of-war games tied to harvest celebrations.
• Western countries: Tug-of-war as a competitive sport or team-building activity.

✨ Juldarigi demonstrates how strength, unity, and shared purpose can transform a simple game into a powerful symbol of community harmony.

---

💌 Closing Words

Juldarigi is more than just a tug-of-war—it is a reminder of how people achieve strength through cooperation.
This timeless game carries the essence of Korean village life, where unity and joy were always stronger than rivalry.

---

📌 Note

This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.