In Korea, families celebrate a baby's first birthday with a big event called a doljanchi. It marks the beginning of the baby's journey through life.
Korean people's homes are often filled with a variety of family photos: parents, children, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles. One photo that is always present depicts a child's doljanchi, or first birthday celebration. It's usually a photo of all close family members, standing behind a long table in a party hall, with the little confused baby in the middle wearing a traditional Korean outfit. When a guest sees this picture, they will certainly ask: "So what did they choose?"
At a baby's first birthday party, usually held in a large hall with family and friends, the highlight of the celebration is the doljabi. It comes near the end, when the baby is sat in front of a bunch of items. The items can be different based on the family, but typical items include string, a paint brush, a pencil, money and scissors. Each has a meaning, and the one the baby picks is said to predict their future. The baby looks at the items and picks whichever one they like the most. The string means they will have a long life. The paint brush means they will be an artist. The pencil means they will be a good student. The money means they will be rich.
