Q: What is Doljabi?

The highlight of a child’s 1st Birthday Ceremony. A quick explanation behind the concept.

Long has been the Korean tradition to celebrate a baby’s first birthday in the form of a grand ceremony, called Doljanchi (1st Birthday Party).

The primary purpose of the ceremony is to bless the child with a prosperous future and a healthy life ahead.

The highlight of the ceremony is called the Doljabi.

Doljabi is a tradition where the child is placed in front of various items or objects (Usually 6 – 8 items). Then, the child is encouraged to grab one or two items from the set of objects where each choice represents a certain future of the child with respect to his or her career or a lifestyle.

Obviously, you would only want to use items representing careers and lifestyle of bright futures!

Which Objects or Items to Use?
Which Objects or Items to Use?

View the full gallery of these parties in our Parties section with contributor & vendor information.  View Parties

Q: Which items or objects should I use?
Judge

Items Used: Gavel

If Chosen: Looks like your child is already working towards being the respected judge in your town. Your honor?

Alternate: Lawyer

Doctor

Items Used: Stethoscope

If Chosen: Your child is destined to heal the people around the world and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a doctor in your family!

Entepreneur

Items Used: Piggy Bank, Money

If Chosen: One way or another, your child will figure out a way to become a successful business person. Entrepreneurs are always thinking outside the box, and you should be seeing signs of this from your child shortly!

Scholar

Items Used: Graduation Cap, Books

If Chosen: The outlook for your child shows that he/she will be a smart one! There are countless ways your child can use his/her scholarly brain to achieve greatness. Buy your child many books early on.

Athlete

Items Used: Sports Balls & Equipments

If Chosen: Will your child be the next superstar pro athlete? Perhaps you should look for signs of unusual athleticism from your child starting now. He or she just might be the next (insert star athlete here).

Music/Performing Artist

Items Used: Microphone

If Chosen: Your child’s future may hold one or two Grammy Awards. You will soon realize that your child loves to sing. Encourage him or her to keep singing to their heart’s delight!

Scientist / Inventor

Items Used: Test Tubes, Other Science Objects

If Chosen: Your child may have the gift to create inventions that will shape our world for years to come. Time for you to start researching a bunch of science projects to work on with your child.

Astronaut

Items Used: Space Shuttle Toys, Any celestial toy model.

If Chosen: Only a fraction of the world’s population gets to see our planet from outer space. Your child may very well be one of the first people ever to explore Mars. Let your child shoot for the stars!

Q: Which items or objects should I use?

Judge

Judge

Items Used: Gavel

If Chosen: Looks like your child is already working towards being the respected judge in your town. Your honor?

Alternate: Lawyer

Doctor

Doctor

Items Used: Stethoscope

If Chosen: Your child is destined to heal the people around the world and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a doctor in your family!

Entrepreneur

Entepreneur

Items Used: Piggy Bank, Money

If Chosen: One way or another, your child will figure out a way to become a successful business person. Entrepreneurs are always thinking outside the box, and you should be seeing signs of this from your child shortly!

Scholar

Scholar

Items Used: Graduation Cap, Books

If Chosen: The outlook for your child shows that he/she will be a smart one! There are countless ways your child can use his/her scholarly brain to achieve greatness. Buy your child many books early on.

Athlete

Athlete

Items Used: Sports Balls & Equipments

If Chosen: Will your child be the next superstar pro athlete? Perhaps you should look for signs of unusual athleticism from your child starting now. He or she just might be the next (insert star athlete here).

Performing Artist

Music/Performing Artist

Items Used: Microphone

If Chosen: Your child’s future may hold one or two Grammy Awards. You will soon realize that your child loves to sing. Encourage him or her to keep singing to their heart’s delight!

Inventor / Scientist

Scientist / Inventor

Items Used: Test Tubes, Other Science Objects

If Chosen: Your child may have the gift to create inventions that will shape our world for years to come. Time for you to start researching a bunch of science projects to work on with your child.

Astronaut

Astronaut

Items Used: Space Shuttle Toys, Any celestial toy model.

If Chosen: Only a fraction of the world’s population gets to see our planet from outer space. Your child may very well be one of the first people ever to explore Mars. Let your child shoot for the stars!

Q: Are those my only options?

Of course not! There is no limit to your options when it comes to choosing which props to use, and which career options to include on your child’s doljabi set. Your options go as far as your creativity.

Accountant, Architect, Teacher, Programmer, Designer, Chef, Firefighter, and Policeman are some of other examples. As you can see, your choices are endless.

Seriously, it could be anything, as long as it represents a future career or a profession that has a significant meaning in your family.