In Korean culture, the 100th day after a child’s birth is celebrated as a 10oth day birthday & is called Baek-il.  A feast is prepared and the family has a small celebration for the baby’s health and the mother’s recovery from delivery. The number 100 represents maturity and perfection, signifying a baby (and family) passed through this “difficult” period safely as a human being and is perfect. People bring presents and congratulatory statements and wish for the baby’s health and blessing. Baek-il is one of two Korean traditions celebrating the passage of a baby from one age to another. In addition to celebrating a baby’s 100th day of life, another very important birthday is the first birthday, which in Korea is called Dol. Both traditions stem from centuries ago when medicine and hygiene weren’t as advanced and the rate of infant mortality was much higher. Making it past the first 100 days was a sign that you’d live to see your first birthday, and making it past your first birthday was a sign that you’d make it out of infancy.

Here is the shoot we did to document Austin’s traditional Korean outfit, which is called a dol bok or hanbok (I’m not exactly sure which . . . I keep seeing both? Judy?). It’s designed after the dress that belonged to a prince in the Cho Sun Dynasty (1392-1910). I wish the picture did it justice. The colors were beautiful. I can’t say that Austin appreciated it too much. He was more into the string he was playing with;o) I hope I got all that right!