Korean Superstitions – Beliefs and Practices for Good Luck

Korean superstitions are not only interesting, but they’re still widely used today in Korea. It’s a fun way to learn about cultural norms, especially living or traveling in Korea.

Superstitions in Korea are unique, engaging, and helpful to learn, especially travelers. Knowing Korean superstitions can be beneficial, so you can know what to watch out for. For example, the color ink you choose might not matter to you when writing someone’s name. However, it could be to South Koreans!

Below is a free PDF guide for “Korean Superstitions” that you can download and take with you:

Although not everyone believes these superstitions, most people do know about them. The Korean superstitions below can be some great conversation topics, especially if you have some Korean friends.

Below, we’ve collected the top 14 Korean superstitions for your reading enjoyment.

Let’s get to them!

Moving on Certain Days is Bad Luck

It’s moving day, so make sure you have everything packed. Favorite athletic pair of shoes? Check. Giant coffee mug from a trip to India? Check. Evil spirits? Best to leave those behind!

According to Korean superstition, moving to a new home on certain days of the month can bring misfortune. Some believe that evil spirits will follow you to your new place. This may cause a lot of trouble.

According to folklore, this activity will prevent the ghosts from heading into the heavens if you block them with your moving activities on certain days. Luckily, a calendar will help you choose the correct dates to move according to this superstition.

Follow this calendar and make sure that you keep the bad luck away from you. The calendar title is called “손없는날 달력” (soneomneunnal dallyeok | evil spirit-free day calendar). 손 (son) means “evil spirit.” Stay away from the dates on the calendar with “손없는날 (soneomneunnal)” written on it!

Korean Fan Myth

Have you heard of the Korean Fan Myth? Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Although the death threat caused by electric fans to some Koreans is a mystery to many foreigners, the Korean Fan Death myth is one of the more common Korean superstitions.

Although there’s no scientific evidence that Korean fan death is a real thing, some Koreans still believe that electric fans can cause death. According to this Korean superstition, the cause of death is that the fan creates moving air around your face. That moving air makes it hard to breathe, so people suffocate.

Not all fan situations are wrong, though. This superstition says that you’re good to go if you have some windows or doors open. However, if you close the windows and doors in a room with a fan on, you’re asking for trouble.

 

It’s such a widespread belief in South Korea that many consider the fan timer a lifesaving function. The Korean phrase for the “fan death” is 선풍기사망설 (seonpunggisamangseol).

Don’t Whistle at Night

Whistle while you work? Sure, that shows you’re a happy person. Whistling at night? It’s probably not a great idea if you believe in Korean superstitions.

According to superstitious beliefs,  snakes love a good whistle tune at night. Some also believe that whistling at night summons demons and other creatures not from this world.

If you have to, schedule the whistling sessions after sunrise!

Number Four

The number four is bad luck in South Korea. This is common in other countries in Asia, too. It’s similar to the superstition in the western world about the number 13.

Koreans believe that the number four is bad luck since it is similar to the word for death. As a result of this Korean superstition, the fourth floor of a building is often replaced with an “F.” For example, the floor sequence will go 1, 2, 3, F, 5, and so on.

Apartments with multiple “4s” have a lower value since many see them as bad luck.

The Korean word 사 (sa) means “four,” and it also means “death.” Follow this Korean superstition to keep good luck flowing your way! For more on numbers and counting in Korean, check out our complete guide here.

Beautiful Food, Beautiful Kids

Some superstitious Koreans believe that the appearance of your food contributes to the appearance of your kids.

Let’s take a gimbab, for example. If you look at a sliced gimbab, the middle pieces are more organized look more appealing than ends.

According to this superstition, if a mother eats the middle pieces while pregnant, she has fortune on her side to bring her some good-looking offspring.

If Mom loves to chow down on the gimbab ends, then she’s less likely to have to worry about her children becoming celebrities. Keep this Korean superstition and other Korean table manners in mind next time you have your meal.

Don’t Give Shoes as Gifts

Aside from the fact that it’s hard to find someone’s correct size, giving shoes as gifts in South Korea is a no-no. Koreans who believe in this superstition believe that giving shoes will cause the receiver to run away.

This is especially bad to do with your significant other unless you’re trying to find a subtle way to give a hint!

This is one Korean superstition that you may want to stick to if you care about your relationship. There are plenty of great gifts you can shop for in South Korea, so best to stay away from shoes.

Don’t Shake Your Legs

Not only does shaking your legs distract Grandma at the dinner table, but it also brings bad luck your way!

In traditional Korean culture, your legs symbolize wealth and prosperity. Koreans who believe in this superstition think that if you shake your legs, you’re shaking the wealth right out of you. You can say “다리 떨면 복 나간다” (dari tteolmyeon bok naganda).

Avoid Writing Names in Red Ink

It’s bad luck to write names in red ink. The main reason is that the names of the deceased used to be written in red ink. Therefore, if you write someone’s name in red ink, the superstition says that you’re giving any person a death wish!

You’re safe with other words in red ink, but make sure the names stay in standard blue or black ink.

Better to keep those bright colors for special occasions and avoid this Korean superstition altogether.

Dreaming of Pigs is a Sign of Good Luck

If you wake up from a dream and feel like you just got back from a trip through an animal farm, you may be in for some good luck!

The pig symbolizes good luck, wealth, and fortune in Korean culture. If you believe in Korean superstitions and you wake up with pigs on your mind, you may have wealth, a promotion, or other good luck coming up in your future.

Eating 엿 (yeot) Brings Good Luck

엿 (yeot) is traditional Korean taffy made from glutinous rice. Because of its stickiness, this Korean superstition says that it will cause good luck to stick to you.

This principle of eating sticky food will make good luck stick also applies to exam answers. Eating 엿 (yeot) while studying will help knowledge stick in students’ minds. Students who believe in this Korean superstition will often eat it before exams to help them recall the correct answers.

Avoid Jumping Over Your Baby

Superstitious Koreans believe that if you jump over your baby, they won’t grow tall.

Since it’s dangerous to jump over your baby anyway, this is one Korean superstition that everyone should follow.

Don’t Touch Your Eyes After Touching a Butterfly

A Korean superstition says that if you touch a butterfly and then touch your eyes, you’ll go blind.

If you find yourself around butterflies, you may want to follow this Korean superstition and keep some wet napkins nearby or stop at the closest sink.

Korean Good Luck Charms

Like many countries in Asia, Koreans associate some objects and trinkets with luck and fortune. Many traditional Korean charms are used to get wealth and ward off misfortune. One example is the Pujok, a piece of paper (typically yellow) with symbols and patterns inscribed. The Korean talisman is said to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Korean Lucky Numbers

So we already know that the number 4 is unlucky in South Korea as it is associated with death. But did you know that there are also Lucky numbers in Korea? Similar to many Asian cultures, specific numbers are said to be associated with luck and prosperity. In Korea, numbers like 8, 9, and 3 are often considered lucky.

What Korean superstition caught your attention?   Do you think Korean superstitions have a place in modern society? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave us a comment below!