Yes, Korea has an unlucky number, which is four.
This superstition, known as tetraphobia, stems from the similarity in pronunciation between the Korean word for "four" (사, "sa") and the Korean word for "death" (사, also "sa"). This phonetic resemblance makes many Koreans uneasy about the number four, leading them to avoid it whenever possible.
Manifestations of Tetraphobia in Korea
- Buildings: You might find that hospitals and other buildings in Korea skip the fourth floor, numbering floors as 1, 2, 3, 5, and so on. Similarly, apartments and condominiums may avoid using "4" in apartment numbers (e.g., instead of 404, an apartment might be numbered 3A or 501-1).
- Hospitals: The fear is more pronounced in hospitals due to the association of "four" with death. Elevators often exclude the fourth floor or use the letter "F" instead of the number 4.
- Gifts: Giving a gift with four of something is considered unlucky.
- Everyday Life: While not as prevalent as in hospitals, some Koreans avoid using the number four in phone numbers or car license plates, if possible.
It's important to note that while tetraphobia is a significant cultural superstition, especially among older generations, its influence is waning among younger Koreans. Nevertheless, the cultural sensitivity surrounding the number four persists in many areas of Korean life.
