The Ritual of First Snow: Why Koreans Made a Wish

The Magic of Korea’s First Snowfall

There’s a hush in the air. The wind stills. The world seems to hold its breath. And then—soft, white flakes begin to fall. In Korea, this is no ordinary weather event. The first snow of the year is a moment woven with emotion, tradition, and quiet magic. It’s a time when people look up, close their eyes, and make a wish.

 

But why? Why do Koreans treat the first snowfall with such reverence? What does it symbolize, and how has it become such a powerful cultural moment?

 

In this article, we journey into the heart of a delicate ritual that blends nature, emotion, folklore, and modern love—the ritual of the first snow (첫눈, cheotnun).

 

 

What Is “Cheotnun”?

In Korean, “cheotnun” (첫눈) means “first snow.” It refers to the very first snowfall of the winter season, and it holds a special place in Korean hearts.

 

Whether you're a child, a student, a young couple, or a grandparent, when the first snow begins to fall, there’s a near-universal instinct:

“Make a wish.”
“Think of someone.”
“Remember the past.”

 

This moment, fleeting and silent, is not about the snow itself—but about what it unlocks in the human spirit: nostalgia, hope, love, and memory.

 

 

The Tradition of Making a Wish

One of the most well-known customs is this simple belief:

 

“If you make a wish during the first snowfall, it will come true.”

 

This idea has been passed down for generations, though its exact origin is unclear. It’s less about ancient shamanistic ritual and more about folk belief and emotional symbolism. The first snow is:

 

• Unspoiled and pure, like a blank page
• A symbol of new beginnings
• A moment that connects heaven and earth

 

In Korean thought, where Confucian and Buddhist values emphasize intention, timing, and purity, making a wish during the first snow carries poetic weight. You're aligning your heart’s desire with the fresh start of nature.

 

 

The First Snow and Love: A Modern Folklore

Perhaps the most iconic aspect of the first snow in Korea is its association with love and destiny. You've probably heard this one:

 

“If you spend the first snow with someone you love, you’ll stay together forever.”

 

This belief is deeply embedded in Korean pop culture:

 

• K-Dramas: From Winter Sonata to Goblin, the first snow scene is almost mandatory in romantic dramas. It signals a turning point in the relationship—often a confession, a kiss, or a silent understanding.
• K-Pop Lyrics: Dozens of songs use the imagery of first snow to express longing, heartbreak, or hope.
• Movies: In Korean cinema, the first snow often triggers a flashback, a moment of realization, or a bittersweet goodbye.

 

In modern Korea, couples will text each other or try to meet up when the first snow falls, even if it's just for a brief walk under the flakes.

 

And yes—many proposals and confessions of love happen on this day, making it an unofficial “romantic holiday.”

 

 

 

First Snow in Childhood: A Day of Wonder

For Korean children, the first snow has always meant one thing: play.

 

• Running outside in slippers to catch snowflakes on tongues
• Trying to build the first snowman of the season
• Writing names in snow with sticks
• Skipping school (if it’s heavy enough!)

 

In the past, when life was simpler and fewer homes had central heating, the first snow also signaled the real arrival of long, cold nights, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes, and the rustle of cotton-padded hanbok jackets (솜한복).

It’s a multi-sensory memory Koreans never forget.

 

 

Snow in Korean Folklore and Symbolism

Although there’s no single ancient ritual exclusively tied to the first snow, snow has appeared throughout Korean poetry, art, and spiritual thought as a powerful metaphor:

 

• Purity and cleansing: Snow washes away the sins and regrets of the past.
• Impermanence: Like snow, all things are fleeting. “Even the coldest pain will melt.”
• Spiritual clarity: Buddhist monks often meditate in snow-covered temples, finding calm in stillness.
• Ancestral connection: First snow is sometimes seen as a blessing from the heavens, especially when it falls on meaningful dates.

 

Some regions in Korea believed that snowfall on certain days could predict harvests, luck, or misfortune.

 

 

Urban Legends and Superstitions

Modern Koreans still believe in subtle superstitions tied to first snow:

 

• Missing the first snow is considered unlucky or a sign you’ll “miss an important opportunity” that year.
• Seeing the first snow while alone may suggest a year of solitude—hence the rush to message a friend or partner when it begins.
• Some wish silently, others shout their wish to the sky.

 

And in Seoul, when the snow suddenly begins falling, you’ll see people stopping in the middle of sidewalks, raising their heads, smiling at strangers.

 

It’s one of the rare moments when the city collectively pauses to feel something together.

 

 

First Snow in Traditional Village Life

In rural Korea of the past, the first snow was also practical and symbolic:

 

• It signaled the end of the harvest and the start of indoor life.
• Farmers would finish repairing tools, stacking firewood, and preparing kimchi (김장) just in time.
• Elders would light fires, gather children inside, and share folk tales.
• The quiet of the snow matched the season of introspection—ideal for storytelling, games, and rest.

It was a time to slow down and reflect. Even today, older Koreans will often sigh and say,

 

“Ah, the first snow… it reminds me of home.”

 

 

A Ritual of Stillness in a Busy World

In a country known for its fast-paced lifestyle, Korea’s first snow acts as a natural reset button.

 

• Students stop worrying about exams—for a moment.
• Office workers look up from screens.
• Social media explodes with one word: “첫눈이다!” (It’s the first snow!)

 

The ritual isn’t formal. It’s not announced. But when those first flakes fall, everyone becomes part of it—as if the sky is reminding people to slow down, feel, and hope.

 

 

Why This Tradition Still Matters

In the age of digital everything, what makes this simple weather moment so meaningful?

Because it reminds us to:

 

✅ Pause and reflect
✅ Wish for something better
✅ Reconnect with memories and loved ones
✅ Believe—just a little—in something magical

 

The first snow doesn’t change the world.
But it changes how we feel about it—for one moment.

 

Wishes in the Wind

The ritual of first snow in Korea is quiet, emotional, and beautifully human. It’s not a ceremony with rules or scripts. It’s a collective breath, a hidden cultural agreement to feel something hopeful together.

 

Whether you make a wish, hold someone’s hand, or just stop and watch the flakes fall—you become part of a living tradition, passed from heart to heart.

 

So next winter, when snow begins to fall where you are…

Make a wish.
Think of someone.

And know that in Korea, millions are doing the same.