Calculate Korean traditional birthday milestones (Hwangap 환갑, Chilsun 칠순, Palsun 팔순) based on Korean age (만 나이) — solar calendar dates
This page provides cultural reference information about Korean traditional milestone birthdays (Hwangap, Chilsun, Palsun, etc.) for informational purposes only.
For accurate solar-lunar date conversion, use the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (astro.kasi.re.kr).
Korean age (만 나이) is calculated according to the Unified Korean Age Act (effective June 28, 2023).
This tool does not recommend or broker any banquet hall or ceremony venue.
Hwangap marks the 60th birthday, when the 60-year cycle of the Chinese sexagenary cycle (육십갑자, combining 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches) completes a full revolution and returns to the year of birth's stem-branch combination. '還' means 'to return.' Traditionally, children held grand celebrations to honor a parent's long life.
Jingap is the 61st birthday — one step beyond Hwangap. '進' means 'to advance,' marking the entry into the next 60-year cycle.
Named after the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu's verse '人生七十古來稀' ('It has always been rare to live to 70'). Also called Chilsun (七旬, seven decades). A major milestone celebrating exceptional longevity.
The Chinese character 喜 (joy), written in cursive script, resembles 七十七 (77). The 77th birthday is called Huisu — the 'age of joy.'
Palsun celebrates the 80th birthday. '旬' means a decade; Palsun means the eighth decade of life.
The Chinese character 米 (rice) can be decomposed into 八十八 (88). The 88th birthday honors this symbolic age, precious like rice.
Gusun celebrates the 90th birthday — the ninth decade. A testament to remarkable longevity in Korean culture.
Remove 一 (one) from 百 (one hundred) and you get 白 (white/pure). The 99th birthday, one short of 100, is called Baeksu.
Ancient Korean texts placed the supreme (上) human lifespan at 100 years, hence Sangsu. Reaching 100 is celebrated as the pinnacle of longevity by the entire family.
Hwangap is the 60th birthday in Korean culture, marking the completion of one full 60-year sexagenary cycle. The person's birth year's stem-branch combination recurs, symbolizing a return to the beginning. Traditionally, children organized grand celebrations.
In Korean tradition, many families celebrate on the lunar birthday. This calculator shows solar (Gregorian) calendar dates. For the accurate corresponding lunar date, use the KASI Solar-Lunar Converter at astro.kasi.re.kr.
Under the Unified Korean Age Act (effective June 28, 2023), Korean age is: current year − birth year (if birthday has passed this year) or current year − birth year − 1 (if birthday has not yet passed). This is the same as international age.
Chilsun falls on the 70th birthday (만 70세). The solar date is simply the birth month and day in the year of birth + 70. If you wish to celebrate on the lunar birthday, convert using KASI's service to find that year's corresponding solar date.
Sangsu is the 100th birthday, derived from ancient texts that placed the supreme human lifespan at 100 years. Reaching Sangsu is a rare and joyful occasion celebrated by the whole family.
Calculate Korean traditional birthday milestones: Hwangap (환갑, age 60), Jingap (61), Goheui/Chilsun (칠순, 70), Huisu (77), Palsun (팔순, 80), Misu (88), Gusun (90), Baeksu (백수, 99), and Sangsu (100). Dates are shown in the solar (Gregorian) calendar based on Korean age (만 나이) per the Unified Korean Age Act (June 2023). In Korean culture, these milestone birthdays are celebrated with family gatherings and traditional feasts. For lunar calendar party planning, use the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute solar-lunar converter (astro.kasi.re.kr). This tool is for cultural reference only and does not recommend any venue or service.