A baby boy who dressed up as a Korean emperor to cele
Over the weekend, user Lorraine Ye posted pictures of her nephew Elliot, who was clothed in a hanbok and surrounded by a bounty of food and ornaments.
Elliot was celebrating baek-il, a time-honored Korean tradition that celebrates an infant’s first 100 days after birth.
“Back in the olden days, it was very easy for children to fall sick and pass away prior to the 100th day,” Ye recalled.
Families observing the milestone traditionally worshipped Samshin, the triple goddess of childbirth and fate in Korean mythology.
They offer her rice and soup in gratitude for the infant’s survival, while rice cakes, wine and other delicacies are served after prayer with relatives and friends.
Thanks to Aunt Ye, Elliot’s celebration was an instant hit, gaining more than 370,000 likes and 100,000 retweets as of this writing.
The “benevolent baby emperor” has become so popular that his family caved in to requests for an Instagram page that “his people” can follow.
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User @JayssNest even created an artwork depicting the “young emperor’s” celebration.
“My sister-in-law (the baby’s mother) loves this! She thinks it’s funny and adorable!” Ye commented.
Interestingly, Elliot had a bicultural celebration as he is half-Chinese. Ye pointed this out in explaining the presence of red confetti eggs on his cake.
“Baby is half Chinese and his 100th day was in part a Korean celebration part Chinese! It’s custom for 100th day Chinese celebrations to have red eggs and ginger.”
Needless to say, Elliot’s subjects are enjoying his rule.
