The Meaning Behind Korean Wedding Ducks and How to Include Them in Your Celebration

Every people group has traditions, symbols and words that bring meaning and significance to celebrations, and Korean culture is no exception. Korean wedding ducks are a prime example of this. The beautiful statues are displayed at various points during the nuptial celebrations and symbolize a couple's lifelong commitment to one another.

To get a deeper understanding of this Korean wedding tradition, we spoke with Joyce Yeram Choi, a wedding and editorial photographer based in Los Angeles. Through her brands Joyce Choi Photography and House of Marey, she captures timeless, romantic and cinematic love stories for couples both locally and at destinations around the world.

In this article: Korean Wedding Ducks Meaning | Korean Wedding Ducks History | Where to Buy Korean Wedding Ducks | How to Display Korean Wedding Ducks

Photo: Joyce Choi Photography

Korean Wedding Ducks Meaning

Choi shares that Korean wedding ducks "symbolize fidelity, sincerity and everlasting love. Because wild geese and ducks are known to mate for life, they represent the couple's lifelong commitment to one another. In addition, wedding geese and ducks are also seen as symbols of harmony and prosperity, carrying wishes for a peaceful and flourishing marriage." With such a beautiful meaning behind them, it's no surprise they are often high on the list of wedding gift ideas for couples with Korean heritage.

Photo: Joyce Choi Photography

Korean Wedding Ducks History

According to Choi, "the tradition of Korean wedding ducks, originally wild geese, dates back to early Joseon Dynasty wedding customs. In the ceremony called Jeonanrye (전안례), the groom presents a wild goose—or today, a pair of wood ducks—to the bride's family as a symbolic gift."

Like many global wedding traditions, this has changed over time. "In earlier times, an actual wild goose was used," Choi says. "But as it became impractical to obtain, wood carvings replaced the real birds. The symbolism remains powerful: Wild geese are known to mate for life, never taking another partner even if their spouse dies. Because of this, the goose—or duck—represents the groom's promise of fidelity, sincerity and everlasting love to his bride."

Choi also added that "the term Jeonanrye literally means 'the ceremony of delivering the goose,' highlighting the act of offering this meaningful gift as the first step of the traditional Korean wedding." As the ducks offer a beautiful symbol of connection to the new couple, Korean wedding food traditions are also rich with tones of devotion and love.

Photo: Joyce Choi Photography

Where to Buy Korean Wedding Ducks

Choi emphasized that "traditionally, ducks were hand-carved, but today many couples purchase them." This could be due to time restraints, not having the skills to carve or create them or wanting to give a truly beautiful and unique pair of ducks. She also notes that there are all kinds of different options for wedding ducks these days, from "modern or stylized versions, or the classic hand-carved look."

• The Knot Registry: In a time where so many people feel overwhelmed by extra stuff, shopping for exactly what the couple wants can go a long way. The best wedding registry ideas are often actually the ones that a couple chooses themself. Always check someone's list first to see if they have already chosen a specific item, such as a vintage Korean wedding duck, that they want. The Knot Registry has a plug-in that allows couples to add gifts from other vendors, having a comprehensive, all-in-one registry.
• Etsy: Full of independent shops, Etsy is one of the best spots to find hand-carved, ceramic, unique or antique Korean wedding ducks. With vendors all over the world with different specialties, couples can find Korean wood ducks for decorations, gifting, cake topping and more. There are also duck-themed invitations, napkins and more available for couples looking to incorporate a Korean wedding duck in a different way.
• Korean Gift Shops: If you live near a city with a Koreatown, Choi recommends stopping by a Korean gift shop to see options in person. This is a time you can find—and actually feel—different art pieces. You might even find a Korean wedding duck cake topper for sale.
• Amazon: It should come as no surprise that one of the world's largest online marketplaces also has plenty of Korean marriage ducks to choose from. Shipping quickly and often for free, this is a go-to spot for last-minute purchases from a reliable vendor.
• Jote-Ta: This Korean online marketplace is a curated store of high-quality, authentic assets, typically made in South Korea. Their wedding gift collection includes wood and ceramic ducks and geese, each beautifully crafted to impress.

Photo: Joyce Choi Photography

How to Display Korean Wedding Ducks

"Today, wedding ducks are most commonly incorporated into the paebaek ceremony—a traditional ritual where the newlyweds pay respect to their families," Choi says. They are typically displayed on the table during the ceremony for all to see. However, modern ceremonies can be tailored to fit a couple's desires, so feel free to include the Korean wedding duck tradition at any point in your wedding ceremony order planning.

"After the wedding, the ducks are often displayed in the couple's home as a meaningful decoration," Choi shares. "Many couples place them in a visible spot, serving as a daily reminder of their vows, love and lifelong commitment." This could be on a mantle, coffee table or even a prominent windowsill or similar spot.