Most of the time, human beings are intelligent individuals. We care about facts, we think critically and rationally. However, a lot of us still believe in superstitions.
A best example is when misfortune strikes, we can't avoid but become superstitious, we can't be persuaded that our bad luck is not related to any cosmic voodoo but is a consequence of our actions. Maybe that's why every culture has its own collection of ancient and unwavering superstitious beliefs.
We continue to believe them and transfer them down from generation to generation. Check the list of the most common Korean superstitious beliefs, and probably the strangest, which every Korean has learned and/or participated in at some point in life!
THE BANNED NUMBER
You are not going to see the 4th floor in any of the existing buildings across Korea. Or, some towers will have the fourth floor but this will be labeled as the "fth floor" in the elevator. This is because an ancient Korean superstition has indicated that the number 4 is linked to death, so it's unfortunate to have a fourth floor in a tower or building.
RED INK
If you lend a red pen to a Korean individual and request a signature, you will likely be initially rejected. Another century-old Korean superstition. Signing with red ink will bring poor fate to the signee or whoever's name is written in red ink. The red color, in Korean culture, is linked to death as well. Unless you really want to activate some dark sorcery, never bring a red pen on your next travel!
SOJU SHOT
A much more common belief forbids Koreans from pouring drinks for themselves, like soju, while other guests sit at the table. Single Koreans usually follow this mysticism because it is a popular belief in Korea that whoever pours his own drinks around others will never find anyone to date.
SHOE GIFT
You won't think of a nice pair of shoes with malicious intentions, but this is one of the least favorite things amongst lovers who both are superstitious in South Korea.
The theory goes as follows: If you lend your partner a pair of shoes, he or she will use them to leave the relationship or marriage or any bond you basically have with eah other.
CHICKEN WINGS
If you're in a happy marriage or relationship and have purchased fried chicken for dinner, you'll have to eat the chicken wings, as this outdated-but-gold superstition describes it.
The truth is, if your current partner will be eating the wings, this will enable them to fly away from you. Appropriately, chicken wings will impart a romantic desire in the heart of your spouse, lover or companion and you will end up losing him or her to a love affair.
ELIXIR MUSHROOM
Have you ever been to a KBBQ and had portobello mushrooms placed on the side to grill? Oh heck, call it. You've seen it happen. Whenever these shrooms are warmed, they ooze water that spills in the middle. Koreans have claimed this shroom-liquid to be an absolute healthy drink for the longest period of time ever.
This belief had Koreans gulp the straight out of the grill flaming elixir for stamina and various other things.
HOUSE FAN DEATH
Amongst Korean homes, the most enigmatic story of fan death is a classic. Superstitious Koreans think it's dangerous to sleep with the fan on.
Some suggest that the fan is going to rob the room of oxygen and you're going to suffocate to death. Others claim the fan is going to catch fire and you'd be burning to death. Any edition, if you leave the fan overnight you're doomed to die.
FISH
This is another strange superstition that applies to food. You can be in superstitious hell if you toss a fish. Every fish is a fishing vessel out at sea as the legend implies.
Any ships out on the open waters will even overturn and lose their passengers if you turn one, and if you don't want a crew sinking and their ghosts haunting you. Don't flip the fish!
FINGERNAIL
You will be instructed in Korea, the country of superstitions, not to trim your finger and toenails at night. Such conduct is bad luck, with no reason linked. But what could be much worse if you don't rid of your trimmed nails appropriately?
Say a nail falls on the loose: Koreans thought a little animal (like a rodent) will eat the clipped nail and will become your doppelgänger and steal your identity for the rest of your natural life. Just imagine that!
SEAWEED SOUP
You must eat miyeok-guk or algae soup on your birthday. This started from the belief that every pregnant woman must eat this to gain vigor. Since it is associated with child birth, it has been known as the birthday soup.
However, there are also days when you can't actually eat the soup. These are the evaluation days. The slick texture of seaweed would put a bad fortune on you, and slow you down to absolute failure, as per the ancient belief.
