Did You Know? Why Writing Name In Red Ink Is Considered A Death Wish In South Korea

What if I told you that you should never write your own name—or anyone else's—using a red pen or red ink? Doing so could bring your death or the death of the person whose name you wrote. Sounds strange, right? You might think, "What kind of outdated superstition is this? How could someone die just by writing a name in red ink?"

However, let me tell you that this belief is taken very seriously in several countries. Just as we in India follow certain superstitions in our daily lives, there are superstitions in other parts of the world that would leave you stunned. One of them is the fear of red ink.

Red Ink: A Myth

Generally, superstitions lack a strong logical foundation, whether in India or elsewhere, but the fear and belief in people's hearts treat them as solid facts. In South Korea, people do not use red ink to write names; in fact, they avoid using red ink altogether. You generally won't even find a red pen in a Korean household. This is because, in traditional Korean culture, red ink was exclusively used to record the names of the deceased. Consequently, writing the name of a living person in red is considered extremely inauspicious.

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Another theory suggests that during the Korean War, red ink was used to cross off the names of deceased civilians and soldiers. Since then, South Koreans have begun associating red ink with death, and the superstition became deeply rooted in their minds.

Looking further into history, during the Joseon Dynasty, it is said that Grand Prince Suyang (the seventh king and second son of King Sejong the Great) plotted a coup against his nephew, King Danjong. According to historical claims, Grand Prince Suyang used red ink to create a "hit list" of his enemies. These historical events are likely why red ink is seen as a bad omen in South Korea today.

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Global Variations Of The Myth

This myth isn't limited to South Korea; similar beliefs exist in countries like Portugal, Japan, and China.

Portugal: Writing in red ink is considered rude. People there believe red ink is meant for pointing out mistakes or indicating danger. Therefore, writing someone's name in red is seen as disrespectful.

In China and Japan, as in these cultures, writing the name of a living person in red ink is considered a sign of bad luck or a death wish, as red ink was historically reserved for tombstones and funeral records.

(NOTE: This article is part of the series 'Did You Know'. To read more articles in the series, click here)