Why Do Koreans Believe You Shouldn’t Whistle at Night? – Superstitions and Modern Perceptions

Why Do Koreans Believe You Shouldn’t Whistle at Night? – Superstitions and Modern Perceptions

In Korea, there is a common belief that whistling at night can attract ghosts.

The eerie sound of a whistle traveling through the quiet night was thought to summon spirits or goblins.

Additionally, some regions believed that whistling could provoke snakes, making it a potentially dangerous act after dark.

This superstition is not unique to Korea.

In Europe, sailors believed that whistling on a ship could bring storms, while in theaters, whistling was considered bad luck as it could lead to stage accidents.

In the Middle East and India, whistling or playing the flute was thought to attract snakes.

This belief is reflected in literature as well—Agatha Christie’s novel The Adventure of the Speckled Band features a scene where a whistle is used as a signal for a venomous snake to appear.

 

Although few people today take these superstitions seriously, the cultural habit of avoiding whistling at night still lingers. It’s fascinating to see that the idea of whistling bringing misfortune is shared across different parts of the world, not just in Korea.

 

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I grew up hearing this all the time, and I even say it to my kid sometimes! 😂

Honestly, doesn’t it feel eerie and chilling when you hear a whistle on a quiet night street? It’s interesting to think that this is just a cultural difference. So fascinating!

 

I asked Adobe Express to generate an image about "whistling," and this is what it came up with.