Chuseok (秋夕), Full Moon Day / Korean Thanksgiving Day 

"Chuseok" (秋夕), which means "the Full Moon Day in the eighth month" or "the middle of August" of the lunar calendar, is the most important holiday of the year. Its other names include "Gabae" (嘉俳), "Gabaeil" (嘉俳日), "Gawi," "Hangawi," "Jungchu" (仲秋), "Jungchujeol" (仲秋節), and "Jungchugajeol" (仲秋佳節). Of these, "Hangawi" originated from the "Gabae" event of the Silla dynasty, and "Jungchujeol" from the word "Jungchu," meaning "the eighth month."

추석 관련 자료

Visiting Ancestral Graves on Chuseok	Chuseok Charye Ritual
A Scene of Chuseok	Songpyeon

There is a record on "Gabae" in the "Ninth Year under Yuri Isageum" (儒理尼師今) section of the ancient work of history titled Samguk sagi (The History of the Three Kingdoms):
"Having taken a month from July 16 to the full moon day of August, womenfrom all over the country were divided into two teams, which then competed for weaving cloth. According to the result of the contest, the losing team prepared plenty of food and drink and treated the winning team; and they reveled in dancing, singing, and all kinds of entertainment. This was called 'Gabae.'"
Here, "Gabae" originally meant "a day in the middle," but this word changed over time to become "Gawi" which, with the addition of "han," meaning "great," gave the popular name for Korean Thanksgiving Day, "Hangawi," by which it is still known today. It is thought that "Chuseok" was already a major holiday even in the early days of the Silla dynasty.

올베심리

Olbesimni Rituals
Chopping Rice	Shaking Rice Stalks	Hanging up Ears of Grain

The rituals performed on "Chuseok" included "Olbesimni" and "Putbasim." "Olbesimni" refers to the "Olbyeo Cheonsin" (薦新) performed in the Jeolla region, while it is known as "Putbasim" in the Gyeongsang region. The ritual included offerings of the first-harvested grain to the local gods, prayers for a good harvest and re-celebrations among farmers and families.

추석 관련 자료

"Tug-of-War" by Lee Eok-yeong	"Ganggangsuwollae" by Lee Eok-yeong	Geobuknori

Like the proverb, "We don’t want to get better or worse than Hangawi," Korean Thanksgiving Day is the season of abundance. More than any other holiday, "Chuseok" entailed various folk customs and activities which took place all over the country. There were customs like "Banbogi" and "Geunchin," while community events like "Ganggangsuwollae," "Juldarigi" (tug-of-war), "Gamassaum," "Sonori," "Geobuknori" and many more took place.
Along with "Daeboreum," the Full Moon Day in January, "Yudu," the Full Moon Day in June, and "Baekjung," the Full Moon day in July, "Chuseok" is also a major full moon holiday. While Daeboreum celebrates a new year, Chuseok is a holiday that falls in the harvest season, during which farmers express their gratitude to the local gods, families and communities. And even though contemporary Korean society is no longer based on agriculture, "Chuseok" remains one of the two most celebrated holidays, along with "Seol," for all Korean people.