[Korean Culture & Language] What's in a Name?
Hello, this is Uptempo!
Have you ever wanted to change your name for good? In Korea, it is not uncommon for individuals to legally change their names as children or even later in life as adults. This practice is called 개명 (gae-myung).
The reasons for changing one’s name run the gamut. For some, it’s because they were ridiculed for their name growing up or simply didn’t like their name from a young age. For others, it’s because their name doesn’t align with their 사주팔자 (saju-pal-ja), which means their fate according to Korean fortune-telling traditions. Changing their name to a more auspicious one would increase their chance of living a happier and luckier life. And for those who are on the unluckier end of the stick, they change their names because it happens to be the same as that of a serial killer. In addition, some change their name because they want to be able to write it in Chinese characters (note: many, but not all, Korean names typically have Chinese characters, much like how English words have Latin roots).
Whatever the reason may be, the approval process one has to undergo for 개명 is now much more lenient after the passing of a law in 2005 that states name changes would be allowed as long as the individual is not doing so in order to conceal a crime or avoid imposed restrictions. All that’s needed is an appointment at the local courthouse and completion of the appropriate paperwork.
But how exactly does one choose a new name? Many people usually visit a 작명소 (jahk-myung-so), where naming experts select a list of names that would bring you the most luck based on the sound and pronunciation, letters and syllables, the meaning, and the level of compatibility with your 사주 (saju). The individual would choose from this list and proceed with the courthouse process, which takes about a month to receive final approval.
To share a little bit more about 사주, this word translates to four pillars, where each pillar represents birth year, birth month, birthday, and birth time. Each pillar has two characters that represent heaven and earth, resulting in a total of eight characters that define one’s destiny. These characters are called 팔자, which literally means “eight characters” and each character is categorized as one of the five elements: wood, water, fire, metal, and earth. Whoever is reading your 사주팔자 would analyze your four pillars and give you a reading that delves into your personality, interpersonal relationships, and what your future holds.
What do you think about the 개명 process? Would you partake in it? Share with us in the comments below!
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