Whether red ink is considered unlucky depends heavily on cultural context. While it's not universally unlucky, it holds specific negative connotations in some cultures.
Here's a breakdown:
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In some Western cultures: Red ink generally doesn't carry superstitions. It might be seen as assertive or attention-grabbing but not inherently unlucky. Teachers commonly use it for grading, and businesses might use it for highlighting important information.
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In Korean culture: Writing a person's name in red ink is a serious taboo and considered extremely unlucky. This superstition stems from the historical practice of writing the names of the deceased in red on family registers or tombstones. Writing a living person's name in red ink is therefore associated with death or wishing them ill fortune.
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Possible general associations: Due to its association with blood, red may be considered unlucky in contexts relating to health. Similarly, in accounting, red is often used to indicate a loss. Therefore, using red might be seen as tempting fate.
Ultimately, the perception of red ink as unlucky is rooted in specific cultural beliefs and historical practices.
