Korea's First Western Christmas Tree

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor
Each year as Christmas nears, I recall American missionary and physician Lillias Horton Underwood describing introducing western Christmas traditions to the Korean royal court and monarchy. I included the story in one of my historic novels, " A Yankee In the Land of the Morning Calm: A Historical Novel."

Victorian-era  Christmas Tree 

Page 53

Since the mid 1880s, Anglo merchants, diplomats, and missionaries

who lived and worked in Korea celebrated their respective national

and religious holidays. Most often these were small affairs as

there were few foreigners dwelling in Korea-most Anglos were

concentrated in the port towns and Seoul. Naturally some Koreans

were curious of these strange western ceremonies and started asking

questions, especially about Christmas.

The Korean royal family was no exception. In December 1893, King

Kojong and his wife Queen Min became very curious about the holiday

and started to inquire about its significance. In fact, Queen Min

summoned her closest western friend and personal physician,

missionary Lillias Underwood to explain about Christmas. That year

on Christmas day, Queen Min sent the Underwood family gifts of

expensive cloth and silk screens.

Encouraged by the queen's gesture and aware of the royal family's

curiosity, Lillias asked to set up a Christmas tree in the

palace-even though it was several days after Christmas.

Accounts tell of Lillias putting a great deal of effort into

trimming the tree. When finished Lillias was somewhat disappointed

with the results, as "their majesties were too impatient to wait

till dark to view it." With no heavy drapes to block the lights

from the windows, the full effect of the Christmas tree was "quite

spoiled." Lillias cited "the poor little candles flickered in a

sickly way in the glaring daylight." Nevertheless in spite of her

concerns, Lillias did introduce the holiday tradition to the Korean

court.

###

On behalf of myself and Bridging Culture Worldwide have a happy

holiday season!

Sae hae bok man i ba deu say yo!

Questions? Feel free to contact  dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

1-310-866-3777

Don