In Korea, the day before Seollal or Lunar New Year’s Eve has traditionally been referred to as Magpie’s Seollal. One of the favorite Seollal songs for children starts with the lines, “Magpie, yesterday was your New Year’s Day. But today is our New Year’s Day.” The lyrics, as well as the term “Magpie’s New Year’s Day,” make us wonder whether this particular bird might celebrate the New Year, just as humans do.

Legend says that King Soji of the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla from the fifth century was in danger of being murdered due to an evil plot by his queen and a Buddhist monk. Thanks to the help of some animals, such as a magpie, a mouse, a pig and a dragon, the king was able to escape the danger. Among them, the mouse, the pig and the dragon have their own days to celebrate, as they are included in the 12 zodiac animals. But the magpie is not so there is no day dedicated to the bird. It is said that Lunar New Year’s Eve is the magpie’s New Year.

In another interpretation of the term, “Magpie’s Seollal,” Korean ancestors have traditionally believed that magpies would bring good news. If a magpie sings in the morning it was regarded as a sign that a welcome guest would come to visit. From a scientific perspective, though, magpies tend to chirp loud when they sense unusual smells because they are afraid. So, their noise on New Years’ Eve, when family members and relatives would gather together to celebrate Seollal the following day, may indicate that the birds are wary of strangers. It is said that New Year’s Eve has been called Magpie’s Seollal, due to their loud chirping on the last day of the year.

In a theory based on linguistics Magpie’s Seollal has nothing to do with the bird. In ancient Korea, New Year’s Eve was called “small Seollal,” compared to “big Seollal,” which is New Year’s Day. On small Seollal, people used to make a deep bow to their relatives and seniors in the neighborhood in advance. The ancient Korean word for “small” was “achi.” As time went by, the word “achi” changed to “kkachi,” which means a magpie. So, it is assumed that “small Seollal” has mistakenly been called “Magpie’s Seollal.”

Whatever the origin is, the song “Magpie’s Seollal” beautifully describes a happy scene of a family greeting the New Year. The song goes, “Magpie, yesterday was your New Year’s Day. But today is our New Year’s Day. I put in my lovely pigtail ribbons and wear a new pair of shoes.”