[Anchor] This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at Singugan, the time of the year on Jeju when legend has it that it’s the best time to move and avoid any ill will from local deities.
[Report]
It’s that time of year again, when people on Jeju traditionally prefer to move from one home to another. Due to increased demand, they have to endure razor thin moving schedules and, of course, inflated prices. But they do it for good luck.

This is Singugan, which means the time “between the old and the new.” This is a shamanistic belief related to household deities.

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Traditionally an auspicious time to move, repair one’s home

According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs, since every part of the traditional household was thought to be overseen by its own deity, moving or even doing household repairs or yard work would attract their attention and wrath.

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Relates to shamanistic belief in household deities

But during Singugan, these deities have returned to the heavens. So there are no auspicious, nor inauspicious, days during this period. This vacancy in “the divine order” means that people can go about moving without fear of a year of bad luck.

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Solar terms: 24 astronomical or natural points

The moving period is calculated using what are called “solar terms.” You can find them on any traditional East Asian lunisolar calendar. These are 24 points which correspond to an astronomical event or natural phenomenon. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite easy to calculate.

If you have a calendar printed in Korea, look for the date on which the solar term Daehan (or “great cold”) falls, and look for the fifth day after that. This is when Singugan begins.

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Todd Thacker

For the end of Singugan, look for the solar term Ipchun (or “beginning of spring”) and count back three days. This year Singugan is between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1.

Todd Thacker KCTV