In Korean superstition, red ink is traditionally avoided for writing a living person’s name.
The belief is associated with the use of red writing on the names of deceased people, particularly in funeral or memorial contexts. As a result, writing a living person’s name in red can be interpreted as wishing death or inviting misfortune. Many Koreans recognize the custom even when they do not personally treat it as a serious superstition.
The practice is a cultural convention rather than a rule of Korean grammar or calligraphy. Red has important positive meanings in Korea and elsewhere, including vitality and celebration, so the taboo applies specifically to writing a living person’s name.
The custom is sometimes confused with the broader use of red in Korean culture. Red envelopes, decorations, and clothing can carry favorable meanings in different settings. The superstition concerns names written in red ink, especially in personal messages, records, or gifts.