7 strange Korean Superstitions From “Moving Days” to “Red Ink” – A Guide to Inviting Luck into Your Korean Home
The Invisible Rules of a Korean Household
Do you believe in superstitions? Personally, I wouldn’t say I’m a believer in spells or myths, but I do feel there’s a certain “energy” in the world that science can’t quite explain yet. (Does that count as believing? lols)
In Korea, superstitions, especially those related to the home are treated almost like unwritten laws. Regardless of religion, many people still pay close attention to them.
In this post, I’ll introduce you to some fascinating, and perhaps slightly strange, Korean superstitions that shape our daily lives.
The Do’s – Inviting Good Fortune
1. The “Evil-Spirit-Free” Moving Day: Son-om-neun-nal
In Korea, the first thing we do when planning a move is check the calendar. A good day to move is called “Son-om-neun-nal” (손 없는 날). Here, “Son” doesn’t mean “hands”; it refers to evil spirits. These are days when malevolent spirits are inactive, meaning they won’t follow you or cause harm during your transition. These days fall on dates ending in 9 and 0 of the lunar calendar. Because of this belief, moving companies are much more expensive and fully booked on these days. Interestingly, younger generations like myself tend to care less about this. I actually moved without checking the calendar at all!
2. Sunflowers on the Porch
The entrance (porch) is considered the gateway for fortune. There is a common belief that hanging a sunflower painting near the entrance invites good energy and blocks bad vibes. Sunflowers symbolize warm energy and financial luck due to their bright, golden petals. Even if you don’t believe the myth, a sunflower painting is beautiful enough to brighten up any home!
The Don’ts – Household Taboos
3. Never Step on the Threshold (Muntteok)
In traditional Korean architecture, the Muntteok is the raised wooden boundary between rooms or between the inside and outside. It was designed to block dust, wind, and insects. Symbolically, the main gate’s threshold is compared to a person’s “chin.”
Stepping on or sitting on the threshold has long been considered bad luck. Some even say it’s like stepping on your parents’ heads! While researching, I found a fascinating fact: this taboo isn’t unique to Korea. Records show that in places like Morocco, Armenia, and Russia, the threshold was revered as a resting place for spirits and was treated with great caution.
4. The Direction of Sleep: Avoiding the North
There is an old taboo against sleeping with your head facing North. This likely stems from the tradition of burying the deceased with their heads pointed North. However, this superstition also holds practical wisdom. In traditional Korean houses (Hanok), the north wind was the coldest. Since insulation was poor back then, sleeping with your head toward the north increased the risk of catching a cold or even sudden health issues. It was a “lifestyle hack” disguised as a myth!
5. Don’t Whistle After Dark
Traditionally, it is said that whistling at night summons ominous beings like ghosts, goblins, or snakes. This stems from the idea that the sharp, steady sound of a whistle attracts spiritual entities in the “Yin” (dark) energy of the night. Practically speaking, however, this was likely a way to prevent disturbing neighbors in thin-walled houses or to avoid sending accidental “signals” to thieves!
The Daily Manners – Habits for Luck
6. Stop Shaking Your Legs
Scientifically, shaking your legs is actually a good habit! It’s been proven to improve blood circulation and concentration. However, in Korea, there’s a famous saying: “If you shake your legs, your luck falls out.” This likely originated from traditional folk tales where poor characters were depicted shaking their legs. While it’s a superstition, it’s also a lesson in sitting with a composed and refined posture.
7. The Red Ink Myth
Finally, never write a living person’s name in red ink in Korea. During the Joseon Dynasty, red ink was used to record the names of death row inmates or the deceased. Even in family trees, the names of ancestors who have passed away are often marked in red. Because of this history, using red ink for a name is seen as an omen of death or extreme bad luck. Always stick to black or blue pens!
More than Just Superstition, It’s About Mindset
While some superstitions still hold a strong grip on Korean hearts, their influence seems to be fading compared to our grandparents’ generation. Today, these 7 Korean superstitions feel more like a charming part of Korea’s ancient culture. Ultimately, I believe these taboos were born from a warm heart—a desire to wish for the well-being of one’s family. They are precious pieces of Korean culture that contain both a bit of mystery and a lot of practical wisdom from the past.
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Understanding these superstitions is just the beginning of discovering the beauty of Korean heritage. For a deeper look into our most celebrated holiday, check out my guide on [Embracing Korean traditions during Seollal]
