What does it mean if you hear whistling in Korea?

Whistling in public is very unusual for the normally reserved Korean, but it goes a bit beyond just being shy. Like with many other Korean no-nos, the main culprit is superstition. It is said that whistling, especially at night, will attract ghosts, thought to be pervasive in Korea's past.

What is considered bad luck in Korea?

In Korea it is believed that writing someone's name in red ink denotes threat, bad luck or death. It is also often interpreted as wanting the person dead.

What symbolizes good luck in Korea?

The pig symbolizes good luck, wealth, and fortune in Korean culture.

Why is shaking your leg bad in Korea?

We also know that in a gathering, shaking legs looks awkward. In the Korean cultural belief, success and prosperity lie in the legs of human beings. Thus, according to the superstition, if you shake your legs, you will shake off your good luck, prosperity, and wealth.

What are some Korean superstitions?

These are some common superstitions in Korea: Writing names in red is thought to bring bad omens, including failure and death. This shamanistic belief originated in China as red calligraphy was reserved for execution decrees. This shamanistic belief may have spread to Korea while it was a vassal state of China.

What?! THIS will happen if you WHISTLE in Korea?! | HIGHLIGHTS

What color is unlucky in Korea?

This is traditionally taboo because the color red to Koreans used to symbolize death. The belief was that if a person's name was written in red, death or bad luck would come soon.

Can you wear red in Korea?

In the Korean flag, red is balanced by its opposite color, blue. The color red also symbolizes passion and, historically, it was inappropriate for Koreans to wear the color red. However, in modern Korea, red is associated with a passion for sports and it is common to wear red to sporting events to show support.

Is it bad luck to have twins in Korea?

On The King's Affection, it is said that the birth of twins is a bad omen because the two look alike, so when one of them becomes the king, it may confuse the public into thinking there are two kings, causing chaos and unrest in the country.

Is 7 a lucky number in Korea?

Coincidently or not, in Korea, there are also lucky numbers, like 7, which are believed to bring good luck, and bad numbers like 4, which are widely avoided.

Is 9 a lucky number in Korea?

Koreans find the number 4 unlucky because it is associated with death. Numbers 3, 8 and 9 are considered lucky numbers, according to the blog, 90 Day Korean.

Is 4 considered unlucky in Korea?

Every culture has a number considered unlucky because of superstitions. In the United States it's 13. In South Korea, it's four. The reason behind the fear of the number four, known as tetraphobia, lies in the way it sounds.

What is the symbol of love in Korea?

The finger heart gesture is a trend that was popularized in South Korea during the 2010s. The thumb and index finger of one hand are crossed to form a heart shape: an invisible heart is implied above it.

What animal is lucky in Korea?

The signature of luck and success is of monkeys in Korea.

Why is red bad in Korea?

Traditional Korean culture uses red to write the names of the dead and doing the opposite (writing the names of the living) is a big no-no and considered very unlucky and potentially life threatening.

Is it rude to write in red in Korea?

Writing names in red ink is a death threat

Therefore, writing someone's name in red ink meant they had either passed away, or, if they were still living, you were wishing harm or death upon them. While this is no longer the case, many Koreans still consider it very rude to write someone's name in red ink.

What does 13 mean in Korean culture?

In the USA, the number 13 is considered unlucky. In Korea the unlucky number is 4. Four has been deemed unlucky in Korea because it sounds like the Chinese word for “death.” (This refers to four in Sino-Korean numbers, which is pronounced “sah.”) Four is also considered unlucky in China and Japan as well.

What does throwing salt at someone mean in Korea?

They discovered salt kept food from going bad, and they started to believe salt could keep evil spirits away. Since then, people throw salt (or just say it) in order to push devils away after unwelcomed or despised people visit.

Why is 13 unlucky?

Some believe this is unlucky because one of those thirteen, Judas Iscariot, was the betrayer of Jesus Christ. From the 1890s, a number of English language sources relate the "unlucky" thirteen to an idea that at the Last Supper, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table.

Why is 4 unlucky?

But the number four is considered unlucky because it sounds a lot like the word for “death,” and as a result Chinese buildings often lack a fourth floor (just as American buildings sometimes skip the 13th). Likewise, Chinese drivers avoid license plates ending in four.

What do Korean babies eat?

The majority of Koreans start baby food (이유식) with purees, but in the form of rice porridges (쌀미음) or otherwise known as juk (죽).

What is the parrot blood test Korea?

The blood of a parrot is put on the child's hand and if the blood doesn't run then she is still a virgin! But since the girls are so young, the test is merely a ritual probably to enforce in the girls how important it is to remain pure.

What foods are taboo in Korea?

The most generally forbidden food included duck meat, dog meat, rabbit meat, squid, and pork. It was believed that if a pregnant woman ate duck meat, she would give birth to a child with webbed hands and feet like a duck.

Is eye contact rude in Korea?

In Korea, it is traditionally rude to look directly into the eyes of an elder/senior/respectable person who is speaking to you, ESPECIALLY when you are getting into trouble. Find out WHY and how you can avoid this easy mistake.

Do foreigners bow in Korea?

Meeting and greeting

Foreigners will see Koreans bowing all the time, even during telephone conversations. Though doing likewise will do much to endear you to locals, don't go overboard – a full, right-angled bow would only be appropriate for meeting royalty (and the monarchy ended in 1910).

What should I avoid in Korea?