Singmogil or Sikmogil ( ko, 식목일,
hanja
Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom.
(, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, wh ...
: 植木日) is a holiday in
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
, the Korean
Arbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...
. It is celebrated annually on April 5.
Background
The idea of Singmogil was to celebrate
forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. Th ...
and the development of national history. The day of April 5 was chosen for its historical significance. On April 5,
Silla
Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of K ...
achieved the unification of the
Three Kingdoms of Korea
Samhan or the Three Kingdoms of Korea () refers to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Baekje (백제, 百濟), and Silla (신라, 新羅). Goguryeo was later known as Goryeo (고려, 高麗), from which the modern name ''Kor ...
.
History
Singmogil was designated by presidential decree in 1949 following legislation by the
National Assembly
In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repre ...
.
In 1960, Singmogil's status as a holiday was abolished and April 5 was treated as any other day. However, the following year the official status of the holiday was restored.
In 2006, Singmogil's holiday status was abolished again.
Activities
On Singmogil, South Korean people plant trees that are appropriate for the region's climate. Government offices help people plant trees. During the month of Singmogil, the government encourages the economical utilization of forestry by designating a "National Planting Period." Even though Singmogil was abolished in 2006 as a holiday,
the South Korean public continues to take part in meaningful activities.
See also
*
Arbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...
References
{{reflist
Forestry in South Korea
Observances in South Korea
Forestry events
April observances
Spring (season) events in South Korea