๐ซ The Number 4: A Number Koreans Avoid
In Korea, the number 4 is considered highly inauspicious because its pronunciation (ๅ, sa) is the same as the Chinese character for death (ๆญป, sa). This belief is similar to how the number 13 is viewed as unlucky in Western cultures.
Buildings in Korea often avoid labeling the fourth floor directly, using “F” instead. In some hospitals, the fourth floor is not used for patient rooms but instead houses funeral halls.
๐ In subway stations, many Koreans unconsciously avoid standing in front of Gate 4-4, showing how deeply ingrained this superstition is in daily life.
๐ก Superstitions in Israel
Superstitions are not unique to Korea. In Israel, during the Gulf War, many people believed that stepping into the house with the right foot first would prevent them from being shot. Another widespread belief is that writing a personโs name in red ink will bring misfortune or even death.
Superstitions often emerge in times of uncertainty and crisis, providing a false sense of security.
๐จ The Origins of Superstitions: Rooted in Anxiety
Superstitions arise from uncertainty and fear.
๐ In ancient times:
- Humans had to fear wild animals, which could threaten their lives.
- Natural disasters could destroy crops, leading to famine.
๐ In modern society:
- Students worry about college admissions and academic success.
- Job seekers fear unemployment and financial insecurity.
- Workers stress about retirement and long-term financial stability.
Superstitions persist because they provide a psychological buffer against the unknown.
๐ญ The Need for Control: Why People Believe in Superstitions
In difficult situations, believing in superstitions can provide psychological relief.
๐ก Why do people believe?
- Superstitions give a sense of control over unpredictable situations.
- They provide hope and confidence, helping people navigate hardships.
- Believing in some level of control allows individuals to persist despite adversity.
๐ง The human brain is wired to believe in supernatural forces and patterns, making superstitions difficult to eradicate.
๐ฎ The Birth of Fortune-Telling: A Desire to Predict the Future
The more uncertain the future, the stronger the belief in fortune-telling. Predicting the future gives people a sense of control over their fate.
๐ In Eastern cultures: Saju (์ฌ์ฃผ, Four Pillars of Destiny)
- Determines a personโs luck and fortune based on their birth date.
๐ In Western cultures: Astrology
- Predicts a personโs destiny based on celestial movements.
๐ Fortune-telling is neither inherently good nor badโits interpretation depends on the individual. However, the fact that modern humans still seek fortune-telling as much as ancient civilizations suggests that our anxiety about the future has not changed.
๐ฌ Science vs. Religion: Different Perspectives on Superstition
๐ Scientific View
- Superstitions are false beliefs with no scientific basis and should be eliminated.
๐ Religious View
- Some argue that religion itself is a large-scale version of superstition.
- Just as franchises outperform small businesses, organized religion has outgrown local superstitions by offering a structured belief system.
- Religions provide consistent results, making them more appealing than random superstitions.
๐ Did Superstition Help Civilization Emerge?
Historians and anthropologists argue that superstition played a role in shaping human civilization.
๐ Jared Diamond (Author of Guns, Germs, and Steel)
- Called agriculture โthe worst mistake in human history.โ
๐ Yuval Noah Harari (Author of Sapiens)
- Claimed that agriculture was โthe biggest fraud in history.โ
๐พ Was agriculture humanityโs greatest superstition?
- Early humans believed farming would bring a better life.
- However, it led to social inequality and modern economic struggles.
Their argument suggests that civilization itself may have been built on a grand illusion, much like superstitions today.
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