Why is 4 a bad number in Korea?

In South Korea, it's four. The reason behind the fear of the number four, known as tetraphobia, lies in the way it sounds. The Korean word for "four" sounds much like their word for "death." Some elevators in South Korea do not have the number 4.

What does the number 4 mean in Korean?

In Korea, the number 4 is considered to be bad luck. It goes even further; this number is believed to symbolize death itself. Unlike the unlucky number 13 (which does not have a real explanation for the bad luck), the basis behind number 4's superstition is logical.

Why is the number 4 considered 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.

Is the number 4 good luck in South Korea?

Number Four (Bad Luck Symbols)

Koreans believe that certain numbers hold significance. The number four is bad luck since it is similar to the word for death.

What are Korean bad numbers?

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.

Why some Korean elevators do not have the number 4?

Why are twins bad 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.

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 9 unlucky in Korea?

Some suggest it's because the Japanese word for “nine” is similar to the Japanese word for “torture and suffering” (Source: How Stuff Works). 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.

What is the luckiest number in Korea?

Lucky number 3,7,8

If you are in Korea then add numbers 3, 7, and 8 to your lucky number inventory as these numbers determine many things. For example parents like to set weddings on any date with an '8' in it, or couples that have a 3 or 7 year difference are considered to be the best match.

Is house number 4 unlucky?

Now the number 4, which sounds like the word “death” in Cantonese and Mandarin, is considered very unlucky not only in the Chinese culture, but also in Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese communities.

Why is there no 4th floor in Japan?

In many East Asian cultures, including China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, the number 4 is considered unlucky. If you step onto an elevator, you probably won't see a button indicating the fourth floor because most apartment buildings and hospitals skip the number altogether.

Is 4 a good no?

A house number that totals to 4 is ideal for you. Moreover, living in a home with number 4 helps you set realistic goals, thus, making it easier for the dwellers to work towards them.

Why is 4 an unlucky number in China?

4: In China, the pronunciation of the word for the number four is similar to that of the Chinese word for death. Many buildings in China skip a fourth floor, just as U.S. builders sometimes omit floor 13.

How do you say 123 in Korean?

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.

Why are there 2 ways to count in Korean?

Through political and cultural influence, these Chinese characters crept their way into the Korean number system. And so today you have two number systems in Korea: one native Korean, and the other with Chinese imprints.

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 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.

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 8 a lucky number in Korea?

They also believe that numbers have important meanings and messages—particularly if they keep on repeating in your life. The number eight is thought to bring in money and luck so Koreans try to book special events like dates, business meetings, and weddings on dates which have a lot of the number eight in it.

Is 7 a lucky number in Asia?

The number 7 (七, pinyin: qī) in Mandarin sounds like "even" in Mandarin (齊, pinyin: qí), so it is a good number for relationships. It also sounds like "arise" (起, pinyin: qǐ) and "life essence" (氣, pinyin: qì) in Mandarin. Seven can also be considered an unlucky number since the 7th month (July) is a "ghost month".

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).

Can I wear sleeveless in Korea?

For dresses that are low-cut you can always wear something underneath, and if it is sleeveless you can pick up light cardigans or Jacket.

Is writing in red bad luck?

Another deadly Korean superstition is writing a living person's name in red ink. 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.