Author Archives: park118

Dreaming of pigs will bring you wealth

Informant is an immigrant from Korea. First moved to Paraguay around his teens then to Los Angeles in his 20s.

Superstition as told by informant: There’s another one that has to do with dreams and wealth. If you dream of pigs when you sleep then that is supposed to be a sign that you’ll be rich later in life.

Another belief my informant follows by is the Korean Zodiac. Since I was born on the year of the pig my informant believes that I will also be wealthy. I think the thing about pigs and wealth has to do with how greedy pigs can be. So they’re supposed to symbolize prosperity. I remember this one vividly growing up. My brother was born on the year of the dragon so I was always jealous because his zodiac animal was way cooler than a mere pig.

Don’t sleep with the fan on

Informant is an immigrant from Korea. First moved to Paraguay around his teens then to Los Angeles in his 20s.

Superstition as told by informant: One thing we believe in is not sleeping with the fan on. You always liked doing this which annoyed me, but I’m not that superstitious so I just let it go.

Upon further research I couldn’t find anything on why having a fan on when you’re asleep is associated with death, but I did find out that if you have a door or a window open while the fan is one then you should be fine. It is only in closed rooms that this superstition applies to.

Daeboreum “Great Full Moon Day”

Informant is a Korean born immigrant who went to primary school in Korea and college in Hawaii lives in Los Angeles

Folk belief as told by informant: On Jan 15th ‘Full Moon Day’ – if you go to sleep early on this date, your eyebrow will turn into to a grey color.  So we used to stay up and play believing that don’t happen.

I believe this was one belief that wasn’t upheld once my mom moved to the United States. It was more prominent when she lived in Korea. After doing some more research there a few other things Koreans practice on this day. Some people crack nuts with their teeth because they believe doing so will strengthen their teeth and give them good healthy teeth. People who live on the countryside climb the highest mountain to see the full moon. Apparently whoever is the first to see the full moon is granted good luck for the entire year.

New Year’s Day traditions

Informant is a Korean born immigrant who went to primary school in Korea and college in Hawaii lives in Los Angeles

Tradition as told by informant: New Years Day is a big holiday for Koreans, usually lasts 3 days long. It’s a fun day for children because they get to eat, play games, and practice the Sebeh tradition( Sebeh is the best part for the children), bow to the parents and grandparents and wishing them a good fortune for the new year.  And parents/grandparents or elders will bless them back with money.  It’s a  family tradition.

Done every year with the whole family together, and yes it is my favorite part of the holiday when we get free money.

Eating Yeot candy to bring fortune

Informant is a Korean born immigrant who went to primary school in Korea and college in Hawaii lives in Los Angeles

Superstition as told by informant: It’s one of the main superstitions in Korea that every parent will stick the yeot( sticky candy like tootsie roll) onto the college door  that he/she is applying for do wishing that his child will make it to that school on the day the child is taking the college entrance exam.

Upon further research this candy also symbolizes fortune and good luck as do many other Korean folk objects. The candy is made from glutinous rice so it is naturally sticky.