The ceremony typically involves the ritual offering of a samsinsang to the god Samsin (whom is said to watch over children), the preparation of a dolsang with various foods and ritual objects, and a doljabi (based on the Chinese zhuazhou), where children are encouraged to pick up an object that is said to predict their future.

Across social classes and generations, the doljanchi has marked a significant milestone for families, and involves celebrations and rituals that express hope for the child's health and future.

[2] Traditionally, on the morning of the ceremony, the family prepares a ritual food offering called samsinsang (삼신상; 三神床).

[3][4][5] The most basic form of the offering consists of miyeok-guk, rice, and ritually pure water (정화수), and is placed by the mother of the child in generally the anbang (private room for women).

Boys wear jeogori, baji, jokki, magoja, durumagi, and blue kwaeja, as well as a bokgeon on their head and beoseon on their feet.

The guests generally bring gifts for the child and family, including money, rice, thread, silverware, furniture such as tables, blankets, jewelry, and clothing.

dol table) is then prepared, and traditionally placed in either the anbang or the daecheong (common floor space of the household).

[2] The table itself is traditionally round (둥근상; 原盤), in order to avoid having corners that the child can bump into.

[1] Particularly popular, and increasingly so in recent years, are rice cakes: songpyeon, baekseolgi, gaepi-tteok, red bean gyeongdan, and injeolmi.

Examples of objects and their meanings include books, ink, brushes, or paper (intelligence and success in the civil service examinations); money (wealth); rice (having enough to eat[8] or wealth[1]); bows or swords (martial talent[1] or bravery[2]), sewing equipment (household skills), and threads or noodles (longevity).

[10] Recent doljanchi have involved practices such as inviting people to a banquet hall, serving catered food, and hiring professionals such as photographers, stylists, and emcees.

[9] Pre-prepared kits for doljanchi have been attested to being sold online, on e-commerce websites such as Amazon and Etsy.

Examples include stuffed animal toys (becoming a veterinarian),[15] stethoscopes (becoming a doctor),[15] gavels (becoming a judge),[16] microphones (becoming an entertainer),[3] computer mice (working in tech),[3] and passports (becoming a diplomat).