South Korea is famous for many things, but did you know we have a lot of quirky superstitions?
Here are 21 Korean superstitions!
Quick Summary
- Koreans have some funny superstitions, such as “Eat and lie down, you’ll turn into a cow” or “Dream about pigs, poop, or ancestors? Buy a lottery ticket!”
- Some spooky superstitions in Korea are sprinkling salt to ward off bad energy, moving on a specific day without evil spirits present, or avoiding funerals for pregnant women.
- If you want to piss off Korean elders, trim your nails at night, step on the door threshold, sit at the sharp corner of the table, or shake your leg. They’ll hate it all.
1. Don’t Cut Your Nails at Night, or a Rat Will Become You
This superstition has a creepy twist.
In the past, when people used knives or scissors to trim nails under dim candlelight, it was super easy to hurt themselves.
And without antibiotics, even small infections could be fatal. So naturally, trimming nails at night became a big no-no.
But things took a dark turn in folklore. A rat might eat your nail clippings, become you, and replace you. So… No nail clipping at night!
2. Avoid Stepping on the Door Threshold
In traditional Korean homes, the door sill was a big deal.
If you step on it too often, it will wear down, letting cold wind sneak in.
Plus, back then, door sills weren’t smooth, making splinters a real risk.
But beyond that, the threshold represented a spiritual border between people (the live) and ghosts (the dead).
Old Koreans believed that people and spirits could coexist outside, but not in the house. The door threshold was the boundary keeping them separated.
When you step on it, a ghost may enter your body and go inside the room, which is a space for the living.
Even today, older generations will say not to do it with a serious side-eye.
3. Eat and Lie Down, You’ll Turn Into a Cow
You know that lazy food coma after a big meal?
Koreans turned it into a saying: “Eat and lie down, and you’ll become a cow.”
Lying down right after eating can cause indigestion and acid reflux. So, this superstition kind of makes sense.
But why cow? It’s because cows digest while lying down!
4. Don’t Pick Up Random Stuff Off the Street
Do you spot a shiny spoon or comfy mattress on the sidewalk? Leave it.
Koreans avoid bringing home found items, especially kitchenware or bedding.
Because in the past, if someone discarded something still usable, there was probably a spooky reason, like bad luck, illness, or even a ghost attached to it.
Today, it’s also a legal issue that could be considered theft. Just don’t do it.
5. Number 4 Is the Korean Version of Friday the 13th
The Korean word for “four” (사, sa) sounds just like the word for “death” (死, also sa).
That’s why elevators often skip the 4th floor or label it “F” (as in four) instead.
It’s like how Western hotels skip the 13th floor. Except in Korea, number 4 is even scarier.
6. Never Write Someone’s Name in Red
This one is serious! Writing someone’s name in red means death.
The most common reason is that red is the same color as blood.
Historically, red ink was used to record the names of the deceased, especially during the Korean War.
So if you write your friend’s name in red, it’s basically like saying “RIP.”
Unless you’re trying to break up with them in the most dramatic way possible, stick with black or blue.
7. Sitting at the Sharp Corner of the Table Means Lifelong Poverty
Sitting at the corner of a table, especially during meals, will bring bad luck in finances.
It’s because it apparently resembles a beggar coming to someone’s table and begging for food.
It’s mostly symbolic. But, why risk it?
8. Don’t Open Umbrellas Indoors
Koreans have this one too, just like in the West.
Opening an umbrella inside supposedly signals leaks in the roof or financial problems.
Historically, it was also just impractical. Wet umbrellas meant a wet floor and more cleaning.
We don’t really believe this anymore though. I just open my umbrellas to dry them after a rainy day.
9. Shaking Your Leg Makes Luck Run Away
Ever been scolded for shaking your leg?
In Korea, it’s believed to shake away your fortune.
Even if it’s just a nervous habit, it’s still seen as bad manners, especially in front of elders.
Modern science says leg-shaking might actually help circulation during long periods of sitting.
Still, maybe tap your foot with caution.
10. Whistling at Night Summons Snakes or Ghosts
This one is a bit wild.
Whistling or playing a flute at night is said to attract snakes or spirits.
Where did this come from? Maybe from stories in India or Egypt where snake charmers play music.
Scientifically, snakes can’t actually hear the whistle. They sense vibrations, not sound.
Still, an older Korean may say something if I whistle at night.
11. Pregnant Women Should Avoid Funerals
It’s an old-school belief that funerals bring bad energy to unborn babies.
But historically, this was more about health.
Back when hygiene was poor and infectious diseases were common, keeping pregnant women away from large gatherings made sense.
Even today, many expecting moms still avoid funerals. I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Oh, soon-to-be-married tend to avoid attending funerals in South Korea as well.
12. Dream About Pigs, Poop, or Ancestors? Buy a Lottery Ticket
In Korean culture, pigs symbolize wealth and abundance.
So if you dream of a fat, happy pig, go straight to a convenience store and buy that lotto ticket.
Seeing an ancestor in your dream is also good luck.
Some say their late grandparents visited their dreams and gave them the lucky numbers.
Many Koreans who won a lottery mention that they bought a ticket after having a poop dream.
13. No Seaweed Soup Before Exams Because You Might Slip
On the day of a big exam like Suneung, Korean students avoid seaweed soup because it’s slippery.
The logic is that you might “slip up” on your test.
Instead, they eat sticky rice cakes or taffy, believing that the stickiness will help them “stick” to the answer sheet (and their dream schools).
14. First Birthday Fortune Game
In Korea, a baby’s first birthday isn’t just about cake and cute outfits.
It’s a big cultural event called doljanchi.
A highlight of the event is doljabi where the baby is placed in front of various items (like money, a stethoscope, a microphone, etc.), and whatever the baby grabs first predicts their future.
The items change over time, reflecting the country’s obsession with success, such as doctors, K-pop stars, and scholars.
15. Baby Belly Names For Protection
Many Korean parents give their unborn baby a taemyeong. It’s a sort of temporary nickname used during pregnancy.
Koreans have been practicing this, wishing for the baby to grow strong and healthy.
In ancient times, the names were often humble or even “ugly” on purpose, based on the superstition that evil spirits wouldn’t target a child with a lowly name.
Nowadays, people go the opposite route by choosing meaningful, cute names that represent hope, love, or strength.
I think it’s a little bit of both superstition and sweet tradition!
16. Don’t Gift Shoes to Your Lover, or They’ll Run Away
This one is mostly old-fashioned, but some people still believe it.
If you give your significant other shoes, they’ll use them to literally walk away from you.
Back in the day, shoes were often handed down between family members. So when someone got new shoes as a gift, they’d take them out for a stroll and maybe just keep walking.
These days, this has mostly died out.
In fact, some believe new shoes, especially stylish ones, can take you to good places!
17. Chicken Wings, Legs, and Cheating?
In Korea, there was a superstition that if a man eats chicken wings, he might cheat by flying away to another woman.
On the flip side, if a woman eats chicken drumsticks, she might run away.
If someone says these now, they’ll be called ridiculous and crazy.
18. The Deadly Nine Curse
In Korea, the number 9 is considered unlucky, especially when you hit ages ending in 9, like 29, 39, or 49. It’s called “ahopsu (아홉수).”
It’s believed that right before a new decade, bad things are more likely to happen.
Some people delay big decisions like weddings or starting a business if they’re in the 9.
19. Blood Type Equals Personality
Ever had someone ask your blood type on a date?
There’s a popular belief that your blood type determines your personality.
For example,
- Type A: Careful, introverted, polite
- Type B: Free-spirited, passionate, selfish
- Type O: Confident, outgoing, stubborn
- Type AB: Mysterious, genius, unpredictable
It’s kind of like zodiac signs in the West.
Though now, MBTI (Myers-Briggs) has taken over among young Koreans.
20. Ghost-Free Moving Days
This one is still widely practiced.
Koreans call it a “son-eopneun-nal (손 없는 날),” which means “a day without evil spirits,” not hands (also pronounced “son” in Korean).
When no evil spirits roam around causing trouble, it’s a good day to move house, start a business, or even get married.
It happens every month on lunar days ending in 9 or 0 (like the 9th, 10th, 19th, 20th).
Because… ghosts have a schedule in Korea!
Booking a moving company on those days is harder and more expensive!
21. Sprinkle That Salt for Purification
After going to a funeral, some Koreans sprinkle salt on their clothes before entering home.
It’s to ward off bad energy and keep evil spirits from following you home.
Many people buy salt after a stressful event to purify their space or shake off bad luck. It’s like a spiritual Febreze.
This practice is fading, but older folks still take it seriously.
Some Korean store owners might sprinkle salt in front of the store entrance when an awful customer (like Karen) leaves.
Were there any new Korean superstitions you didn’t know about?
I understand that many Korean superstitions sound a bit odd or ridiculous, but they often mean well.
