12 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



knocked down with a broom from the left. In Japan a similar 

 superstition prevails. In eating rice (which is always eaten with 

 a spoon), if the first spoonful is accidentally spilled it is a sign of 

 bad luck. My informant's father often did this, and purposely 

 challenged other superstitions as well, to show his contempt for 

 them. In parties meeting together it is desirable to have an odd 

 number, as in two, four, six, etc., there is an end, while in three, 

 five, seven, and the like, there is no end ; hence thirteen at the 

 table is considered a lucky number. If a bride, in coming to her 

 husband's house, stops on the threshold, it is a sign of bad luck. 

 A horseshoe fastened over the door is to invite good luck. Bad 

 dreams are, as with us, neutralized by saying that dreams go by 

 contraries. If the hat is blown off by the wind it is a sign that 

 something will be lost. In occupying a new house it is customary 

 to have a woman, either the wife or a servant, enter first, carrying 

 a bunch of matches ; this insures prosperity, as a flame burning 

 up. To avert infectious diseases, it is believed that a paper ob- 

 tained from a priest and fastened over the door will be effective. 

 A fierce face carved out of wood and placed over the door will 

 drive away diseases which are supposed to be brought by the 

 devil; also the burning of strong incense will have the same 

 effect. Nothing can be removed from the house structure with- 

 out vigorous protest from the womenfolks. (The women in 

 Korea, as elsewhere, are the conservers of superstition. Old 

 women, even in the higher classes, are superstitious, though there 

 are some exceptions.) If the removed portion is to be replaced 

 by other structures, then no objection is made, but to take any- 

 thing away from the house structure without substituting some- 

 thing else is considered a bad omen. If a coal gathers on the 

 lamp wick, it is a sign that one is to receive money, or some lucky 

 windfall ; so fixed is this superstition that many will not remove 

 the coal. In Japan also this is considered a good omen. If the 

 ear itches, it is a sign that some one is talking about you. If the 

 chin itches, it is a sign that candy or cake will come as a gift. If 

 one dreams of a Buddhist priest, it is a sign of being poisoned. A 

 certain bird singing in a tree near the house presages the coming 

 of a guest. If an owl hoots near the house, it is a sign that the 

 master will soon die. If a fragment of tea floats vertically in the 

 cup, it is a sign that a guest will come. If a candle is lighted in 

 the middle of supper, it is a sign that the boys will get fierce 

 wives. If money is found, it is considered a sign of bad luck, as 

 it is gained without labor; an unexpected calamity will occur 

 unless the money is spent before entering the house. If one acci- 

 dentally places his spoon on the table upside down, it is a bad sign. 

 If one's boot is upside down, it is considered bad ; one will remain 

 in the house if this happens rather than risk the consequences, 



