Korean New Year Wishes 2026: Meaning & 100+ Seollal Greetings

Korean New Year Wishes 2026: Celebrating Seollal in the Year of the Fire Horse

Korean New Year wishes 2026 mark a special celebration as Seollal (설날) falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse (병오년, Byeongo). This powerful zodiac combination symbolizes vitality, ambition, passion, and dynamic energy—making 2026 a year of transformation and bold new beginnings.

Seollal is Korea's most cherished traditional holiday, celebrating the first day of the lunar calendar with ancestral rites (차례, charye), family reunions, traditional games, and heartfelt wishes exchanged between loved ones. Whether you're honoring Korean heritage, connecting with Korean friends, or simply embracing this beautiful cultural tradition, learning authentic Seollal greetings will deepen your appreciation of this meaningful celebration.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover over 100 Korean New Year wishes for 2026, learn proper pronunciation, understand cultural significance, and explore how to celebrate Seollal with authenticity and respect.

What Is Seollal and Why Is It Important?

Seollal (설날) is the Korean Lunar New Year, the most significant traditional holiday in Korean culture. Unlike the Western New Year on January 1st, Seollal follows the lunar calendar and typically falls in late January or February.

Seollal 2026 Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Public Holiday: February 16-18, 2026)

The three-day celebration includes:

• Ancestral Rites (차례, Charye) – Honoring ancestors with traditional foods and bows
• Sebae (세배) – Formal bows to elders, receiving blessings and money (세뱃돈, sebaetdon)
• Tteokguk (떡국) – Eating rice cake soup symbolizes gaining a year of age and good fortune
• Traditional Games – Yutnori (윷놀이), kite flying, spinning tops
• Hanbok Wearing – Donning traditional Korean attire
• Family Reunions – Traveling across the country to gather with relatives

The Year of the Fire Horse 2026: Special Significance

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (병오년), the 43rd year in the 60-year zodiac cycle. This rare combination appears only once every 60 years, making it particularly auspicious.

Fire Horse Characteristics:

• Element: Fire (丙, Byeong) – symbolizing passion, energy, transformation
• Animal: Horse (午, O) – representing freedom, vitality, ambition, strength
• Color: Red – the most auspicious color in Korean culture
• Personality Traits: Confident, independent, charismatic, adventurous, dynamic

People born in Horse years (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026) are believed to be natural leaders with unstoppable energy and determination.

How to Say "Happy New Year" in Korean

The most common Korean New Year greeting is:

새해 복 많이 받으세요!
(Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!)

Translation: "May you receive lots of blessings in the new year!"

Pronunciation Guide:

• 새해 (Saehae) – "Sae-hae" (New Year)
• 복 (Bok) – "Bohk" (Fortune/Blessing)
• 많이 (Mani) – "Mah-nee" (A lot)
• 받으세요 (Badeuseyo) – "Bah-deu-se-yo" (Please receive, formal)

Alternative Greetings:

• 설날 잘 보내세요! (Seollal jal bonaeseyo!) – "Have a great Seollal!"
• 복 많이 받으세요! (Bok mani badeuseyo!) – Shortened version, still respectful
• 행복한 새해 되세요! (Haengbokhan saehae doeseyo!) – "Have a happy new year!"

100+ Korean New Year Wishes for 2026

Here are over 100 authentic Korean New Year wishes organized by category. Each includes Korean text (Hangul), Romanization, and English translation.

Traditional Seollal Greetings (전통 설날 인사)

1. 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!) – May you receive lots of blessings in the new year!
2. 행복하고 건강한 설날 보내세요! (Haengbokhago geonganghan Seollal bonaeseyo!) – Have a happy and healthy Lunar New Year!
3. 설날 가족들과 즐겁게 보내세요! (Seollal gajokdeulgwa jeulgeopge bonaeseyo!) – Enjoy Seollal with your family!
4. 웃음과 사랑이 가득한 설날 되세요! (Useumgwa sarang-i gadeukhan Seollal doeseyo!) – Wishing you a Seollal full of laughter and love!
5. 병오년 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Byeongo-nyeon saehae bok mani badeuseyo!) – Happy New Year of the Fire Horse!

Wishes for Health (건강 기원)

6. 새해에는 건강이 가득하길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun geongang-i gadeukhagil baramnida!) – Wishing you a year full of health!
7. 항상 건강하세요! (Hangsang geonganghaseyo!) – Always stay healthy!
8. 병오년에는 몸과 마음이 튼튼하시길 바랍니다! (Byeongo-nyeon-eneun mom-gwa ma-eum-i teunteunhasigil baramnida!) – May your body and mind stay strong in the Year of the Horse!
9. 가족 모두 건강하시길 기원합니다! (Gajok modu geonganghasigil giwonhamnida!) – Wishing health to your entire family!
10. 설날 떡국 드시고 더 건강해지세요! (Seollal tteokguk deusigo deo geonganghaejiseyo!) – Eat tteokguk this Seollal and grow healthier!

Wishes for Prosperity (번영과 부 기원)

11. 병오년에는 재물이 풍성하시길 바랍니다! (Byeongo-nyeon-eneun jaemul-i pungsonghasigil baramnida!) – May the Year of the Horse bring you abundant wealth!
12. 새해에는 행운과 재물이 따라오길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun haengun-gwa jaemul-i ttaragil baramnida!) – May luck and wealth follow you this year!
13. 재산이 늘어나고 번창하는 한 해 되세요! (Jaesan-i neureonago beonchanghaneun hanhae doeseyo!) – May your assets grow and prosper this year!
14. 설날 복을 많이 받아 부자가 되시길 바랍니다! (Seollal bok-eul mani bada bujaga doesigil baramnida!) – Receive many blessings this Seollal and become wealthy!
15. 돈이 술술 들어오는 새해 되시길 바랍니다! (Don-i sulsul deureooneun saehae doesigil baramnida!) – May money flow easily to you in the new year!

Wishes for Happiness (행복 기원)

16. 새해에는 행복만 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun haengbokman gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May your year be filled only with happiness!
17. 웃음과 즐거움이 넘치는 새해 되세요! (Useumgwa jeulgeoumi neomchineun saehae doeseyo!) – Wishing you a year full of smiles and joy!
18. 매일매일 행복한 순간으로 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Maeilmaeil haengbokhan sunganeuro gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May every day be filled with happy moments!
19. 설날에는 걱정 없이 행복하세요! (Seollal-eneun geokjeong eopsi haengbokhaseyo!) – Stay worry-free and happy this Seollal!
20. 당신의 미소가 항상 빛나는 한 해 되세요! (Dangsin-ui misoga hangsang bitnaneun hanhae doeseyo!) – May your smile always shine this year!
21. 새해에는 사랑하는 사람들과 행복한 시간 보내세요! (Saehae-eneun saranghaneun saramdeulgwa haengbokhan sigan bonaeseyo!) – Spend happy times with your loved ones this year!
22. 새해에는 모든 걱정이 사라지고 행복이 넘치길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun modeun geokjeong-i sarajigo haengbok-i neomchigil baramnida!) – May all worries disappear and happiness overflow!
23. 병오년 말처럼 활차게 달려가는 행복한 한 해 되세요! (Byeongo-nyeon malcheoreom hwalchage dallyeoganeun haengbokhan hanhae doeseyo!) – Like the Horse of 2026, may happiness gallop towards you!
24. 설날에는 웃을 일이 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Seollal-eneun useul il-i gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May you have many reasons to smile this Seollal!
25. 새해에는 모든 순간이 행복으로 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun modeun sungan-i haengbokeuro gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May every moment be filled with happiness!

Wishes for Success (성공 기원)

26. 새해에는 큰 성공 이루시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun keun seonggong irusigil baramnida!) – May you achieve great success in the new year!
27. 모든 목표가 이루어지는 새해 되세요! (Modeun mokpyoga iru-eojineun saehae doeseyo!) – Have a year where all your goals come true!
28. 병오년에는 말처럼 달려가 성공을 잡으세요! (Byeongo-nyeon-eneun malcheoreom dallyeoga seonggogeul jabeuseyo!) – Gallop toward success like the Horse of 2026!
29. 새해에는 번창하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun beonchanghasigil baramnida!) – Wishing you prosperity this year!
30. 새해에는 노력의 결실을 맺으시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun noryeogui gyeolsileul majeusigil baramnida!) – May your hard work bear fruit in the new year!
31. 새해에는 승진과 발전이 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun seungjin-gwa baljeon-i gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May you experience promotion and growth!
32. 설날에는 새로운 기회와 성공을 맞이하시길 바랍니다! (Seollal-eneun saeroun gihoewa seonggogeul majihasigil baramnida!) – May Seollal bring you new opportunities and success!
33. 새해에는 목표를 달성하고 성취감 느끼시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun mokpyoreul dalseonghago seongchwikam neukkisigil baramnida!) – May you achieve your goals and feel accomplished!
34. 성공적인 프로젝트들로 가득한 한 해 되세요! (Seonggongjeogin peurojekteudeullo gadeukhan hanhae doeseyo!) – Have a year full of successful projects!
35. 설날 복을 많이 받아 성공의 해가 되시길 바랍니다! (Seollal bogeul mani bada seongong-ui haega doesigil baramnida!) – May Seollal blessings bring you a successful year!

Wishes for Family (가족과 화목 기원)

36. 설날 가족들과 행복한 시간 보내세요! (Seollal gajokdeulgwa haengbokhan sigan bonaeseyo!) – Enjoy a happy time with your family this Seollal!
37. 새해에는 온 가족이 웃음과 행복으로 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun on gajok-i useumgwa haengbokeuro gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May your entire family be filled with laughter and happiness!
38. 가족과 함께 따뜻하고 즐거운 설날 보내세요! (Gajokgwa hamkke ttatteutago jeulgeoun Seollal bonaeseyo!) – Have a warm and joyful Seollal with your family!
39. 새해에는 부모님께서 항상 건강하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun bumonimkkeseo hangsang geonganghasigil baramnida!) – May your parents stay healthy in the new year!
40. 온 가족이 화목하고 평안한 설날 되세요! (On gajok-i hwamokhago pyeong-anhan Seollal doeseyo!) – May your family have a harmonious and peaceful Seollal!
41. 새해에는 더 자주 가족과 소중한 시간을 보내세요! (Saehae-eneun deo jaju gajokgwa sojunghan siganeul bonaeseyo!) – Spend more precious time with your family this year!
42. 가족들과 함께 새해의 희망과 꿈을 나누는 설날 되세요! (Gajokdeulgwa hamkke saehaeui huimanggwa kkumeul nanuneun Seollal doeseyo!) – Share hopes and dreams with your family this Seollal!
43. 새해에는 온 가족의 건강과 화목을 기원합니다! (Saehae-eneun on gajokui geonganggwa hwamogeul giwonhamnida!) – Wishing your entire family health and harmony!
44. 설날에는 가족과 맛있는 음식 많이 드세요! (Seollal-eneun gajokgwa masitneun eumsik mani deuseyo!) – Enjoy lots of delicious food with your family this Seollal!
45. 새해에는 가족 모두 사랑과 행복으로 가득하길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun gajok modu saranggwa haengbokeuro gadeukhagil baramnida!) – May your family be filled with love and happiness!

Wishes for Career (직장과 경력 기원)

46. 새해에는 모든 직장에서 성공하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun modeun jikjangeseo seonggonghasigil baramnida!) – May you succeed in all your workplaces this year!
47. 새해에는 승진과 성과가 가득하길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun seungjin-gwa seonggwaga gadeukhagil baramnida!) – Wishing you promotions and accomplishments in the new year!
48. 설날에는 새로운 직업의 기회가 찾아오길 바랍니다! (Seollal-eneun saeroun jigeopui gihoega chajoogil baramnida!) – May new career opportunities come your way this Seollal!
49. 올해는 꿈꾸던 일을 이루는 해가 되시길 바랍니다! (Olhaeneun kkumkkudeon ireul iruneun haega doesigil baramnida!) – May this year be the year you achieve your dream job!
50. 새해에는 동료들과 더 좋은 협력 관계를 맺으세요! (Saehae-eneun dongnyo-deulgwa deo joeun hyeomryeok gwangyereul majeuseyeo!) – Build stronger collaborations with your colleagues this year!

Wishes for Students (학생과 교육 기원)

51. 새해에는 학업 성적이 크게 향상되길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun hageop seongjeogi keuge hyangsangdoegil baramnida!) – May your academic performance improve greatly this year!
52. 새해에는 시험에서 좋은 결과를 얻으세요! (Saehae-eneun siheomeseo joeun gyeolgwareul eodeuseyo!) – Achieve great results in your exams this year!
53. 설날 복을 많이 받아 대학에서 성공하시길 바랍니다! (Seollal bogeul mani bada daehageseo seonggonghasigil baramnida!) – Receive many blessings and succeed in college this Seollal!
54. 새해에는 새로운 지식을 배우는 즐거움을 느끼세요! (Saehae-eneun saeroun jisigeul baeuneun jeulgeoeumeul neukkiseyo!) – Enjoy the joy of learning new knowledge in the new year!
55. 새해에는 열심히 공부하여 목표를 달성하세요! (Saehae-eneun yeolsimhi gongbuhayeo mokpyoreul dalseonghaseyo!) – Study hard and achieve your goals in the new year!

Wishes for Love and Relationships (사랑과 관계 기원)

56. 새해에는 사랑하는 사람들과 더 가까워지길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun saranghaneun saramdeulgwa deo gakkawo-jigil baramnida!) – May you grow closer to your loved ones this year!
57. 새해에는 아름다운 사랑을 시작하세요! (Saehae-eneun areumdaun sarangeul sijakhaseyo!) – Begin a beautiful love story in the new year!
58. 새해에는 친구들과 더 많은 추억을 만드세요! (Saehae-eneun chingudeulgwa deo maneun chueogeul mandeuseyo!) – Create more memories with your friends this year!
59. 새해에는 연인과 함께 소중한 시간을 많이 보내세요! (Saehae-eneun yeoningwa hamkke sojunghan siganeul mani bonaeseyo!) – Spend precious moments with your partner this year!
60. 새해에는 사랑이 당신을 중심으로 퍼져나가길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun sarangi dangsineul jungsimeuro peojyeonagagil baramnida!) – May love spread around you this new year!

Spiritual Blessings (영적 축복 기원)

61. 새해에는 하늘의 축복이 가득하시길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun haneurui chukbogi gadeukhasigil baramnida!) – May the heavens bless you abundantly this year!
62. 새해에는 모든 기도가 이루어지길 바랍니다! (Saehae-eneun modeun gidoga iru-eojigil baramnida!) – May all your prayers be answered in the new year!
63. 새해에는 평화로운 마음과 영혼을 가지세요! (Saehae-eneun pyeonghwaroun ma-eumgwa yeonghoneul gajiseyo!) – May your heart and soul be at peace this year!
64. 설날에는 신의 축복으로 가득한 한 해 되세요! (Seollal-eneun sinui chukbogeuro gadeukhan hanhae doeseyo!) – May this Seollal be filled with God's blessings!
65. 새해에는 감사의 마음으로 하루를 시작하세요! (Saehae-eneun gamsaui ma-eumeuro harureul sijakhaseyo!) – Begin each day with a heart full of gratitude this year!

Seollal Traditions and Customs

Understanding Seollal traditions will help you appreciate the depth of Korean New Year wishes:

Sebae (세배) – Traditional Bow

Children and younger family members perform deep bows to elders while saying "새해 복 많이 받으세요!" Elders respond with blessings and give 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon) – New Year's money in envelopes.

Tteokguk (떡국) – Rice Cake Soup

Eating tteokguk symbolizes gaining a year of age. The white rice cakes represent purity and a fresh start, while the round slices symbolize coins and prosperity.

Charye (차례) – Ancestral Rites

Families set up a memorial table with traditional foods and perform bows to honor deceased ancestors. This ritual connects generations and shows respect for family lineage.

Traditional Games

• Yutnori (윷놀이) – A traditional board game played with wooden sticks
• Neolttwigi (널뛰기) – Korean seesaw jumping
• Jegichagi (제기차기) – Traditional shuttlecock kicking
• Kite Flying – Releasing kites to send away bad luck

Seollal Travel Tips for 2026

Planning to visit Korea during Seollal 2026? Here's what you need to know:

• Public Holiday Dates: February 16-18, 2026 (Monday-Wednesday)
• KTX Train Tickets: Book early! Tickets go on sale to foreigners from January 21, 2026, at 3pm KST
• What's Open: Major tourist areas in Seoul (Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae) often remain open
• What's Closed: Many small shops, restaurants, and traditional markets close during Seollal
• Cultural Experiences: Folk villages offer special Seollal programs with traditional games and performances

Conclusion: Celebrate Seollal 2026 with Meaningful Wishes

Korean New Year wishes for 2026 carry special significance as we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. This dynamic zodiac year promises energy, passion, and bold achievements for those who embrace its spirit.

Whether you're celebrating Seollal with Korean family, friends, or colleagues, sharing authentic greetings like 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!) will create meaningful connections and show your respect for Korean culture.

As the Fire Horse gallops into 2026, may your New Year be filled with vitality, success, and boundless happiness. 병오년 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Happy Fire Horse New Year!)

Want to learn more about the Lunar New Year? Explore our Complete Guide to Lunar New Year Traditions and Celebrations for detailed insights!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is Korean New Year (Seollal) 2026? – Seollal 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The public holiday runs from Monday, February 16 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
2. What zodiac animal is 2026 in Korea? – 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (병오년, Byeongo). The Horse symbolizes vitality, freedom, and ambition, while Fire represents passion and transformation.
3. How do you say "Happy New Year" in Korean? – The most common greeting is "새해 복 많이 받으세요!" (Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!), meaning "May you receive many blessings in the new year!"
4. What is Sebae? – Sebae (세배) is the traditional Korean bow performed during Seollal. Younger family members bow deeply to elders, offering New Year wishes. In return, elders give blessings and sebaetdon (New Year's money).
5. What do Koreans eat during Seollal? – The most important dish is tteokguk (떡국), rice cake soup. Eating it symbolizes gaining a year of age. Other traditional foods include japchae, jeon (pancakes), galbi-jjim, and songpyeon.