9 Korean superstitions you may not have known about

 Korea is a modern and technological country that nevertheless has remained very attached to traditions. Among these, we also find superstitions and many Koreans, while declaring that they do not believe in it, still continue to do or not to do certain actions out of superstition so as not to recall bad luck. Most felt by the elderly population, however, they continue to be observed even by the youngest.

So let's see in this article what are the most widespread Korean superstitions.

1. Avoid number 4

As already mentioned in our article " 15 curiosities about South Korea ", the number 4 is absolute to be avoided because it recalls the idea of ​​death. The pronunciation of the number 4 in Sino-Korean numbers, in fact, has the same pronunciation as the hanja which indicates death and for this reason, it would bring bad luck.

You might find it hard to find the button corresponding to the fourth floor in Korean elevators: it is often replaced by an F key, which stands for the fourth floor.

2. Don't feed your partner chicken wings

Among the most curious Korean superstitions, there is one that recommends not serving chicken wings to your partner. Eating them, in fact, would fly away from us, fluttering from one boy or girl to another. So if you are planning to prepare a romantic dinner, remember to exclude the chicken wings, you never know!

3. Don't write the names of living people in red

Writing the name of a person still alive in red would correspond to wishing them death. This is because especially in the past, but still today during some traditional rituals such as those carried out during the Chuseok, the names of the deceased were written in red. So the idea that links red ink to death remained. So if you don't have other colored pens, avoid writing the names of your Korean friends or they may not take it well!

4. Move only on certain days of the month

To prevent evil spirits from following them during the move, many Koreans prefer to move during particular calendar days called soni eobneun nal, meaning "days without spirits". This superstition is still so strong that during those days the costs of moving companies are much higher than on other days.

If you have inquired about a move to Korea and have noticed a seemingly inexplicable price difference based on the chosen day, now you know why! If you are not easily conditioned by Korean superstitions, we, therefore, advise you to choose the most convenient day… but at your own risk!

5. Don't shake your legs

Many of us have a bad habit of waving one leg or both legs while sitting. According to the Koreans, however, by doing so we are "shaking" luck away from us , recalling bad luck instead. Better than to stay still!

6. Do not give knives as a gift

This superstition can also be found in some areas of Italy and recommends not giving knives, otherwise it would be like wishing that person to cut all ties with you. Therefore, give away a knife or other sharp objects only if you no longer want to have anything to do with that person.

7. Do not "stick" the spoon into the rice

Serving a bowl of rice with a spoon "skewered" in the bowl recalls the image of a dagger stuck in a body and therefore, by extension, the image of death. It is therefore rude to serve someone rice in this way as it would appear that they are being wished for death. In addition, rice bowls with a spoon stuck in this way are often present on the tables of rituals to celebrate the dead, thus strengthening the link they have with the idea of ​​death.

8. Don't whistle at night

Whistling on the street at night, as well as disturbing other people, is not to be done for another reason. It would in fact be a call for evil spirits and therefore, if you do not want to be persecuted, we advise you to avoid whistling.

9. Don't touch your eyes after touching a butterfly

Probably no one would ever think of touching the wings of a butterfly and immediately after touching his eyes, but if this happens, according to this Korean superstition the consequences of this gesture would be very serious: it would in fact lead to blindness. So if you don't want to lose your sight, be careful not to touch the butterflies and run your fingers over your eyes immediately afterward.