Korean Traditional Game : Yutnori

🍂 Korean Traditional Game Series 1

“Yutnori”

(윷놀이 · Yutnori)

 

🕰️ 1. The Game

Yutnori is one of Korea’s most beloved traditional board games, usually played during major holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year).

 

It is a family game that combines strategy, teamwork, and a bit of luck.

The game uses four wooden sticks called 'yut', each with a flat and a round side. The way these sticks land determines how far a team can move their pieces on the board.

 

🪄 2. Rules & How to Play

• Players are divided into teams.
• Each team throws the four yut sticks.
• Depending on the combination of flat and round sides, the movement is called Do, Gae, Geol, Yut, or Mo (representing 1 to 5 steps).
• Players move tokens around the board, trying to reach the finish line first.
• Teams can “capture” other tokens, sending them back to the start, which adds excitement.

👀 3. Example from Life

On Korean New Year’s Day, entire families gather and enjoy Yutnori together.

It is not only a game of chance but also a way to strengthen familial bonds, teamwork, and laughter among relatives.

 

🌏 4. Similar Games Around the World

• USA: Parcheesi, often called the “Royal Game of India.”
• India: Pachisi, an ancient cross-and-circle board game.
• UK: Ludo, a simplified version of Pachisi.

✨ Yutnori demonstrates how board games across the world share similarities, connecting people through play.

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💌 Closing Words

Yutnori is more than just a holiday pastime.
It carries the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of laughter, and the spirit of togetherness.
Through this traditional game, we see how play can bring hearts closer across generations.

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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.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.