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A pig's head as a symbol of good luck. Ya kidding me, right?

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East meets west and strange things happen

Living in the Republic of Korea for three years was an incredibly enriching cultural experience that my entire family enjoyed. While living in Seoul and visiting most of the country, north to south and east to west, we had to face a few cultural relics that were like none in the United States. Good luck seems to be a staple of the culture and nothing was curiouser than what appears to be smiling pig heads. This may not be for the timid, but over in Korea, many a business opens with a real pig's head out front to wish the new entrepreneur luck.

If you're in the market for just such a good luck symbol, see me. I still have some connections in the good luck industry!

Opening day!

Opening day for a new business in Korea needs a symbol of good luck.. While I am not sure whose shoulders it falls on to procure the porcine smiling symbol of good luck, what is certain, it is welcome. Out in front near the door the joweled head is displayed. Why they appear to be smiling I am not certain of as well, but the joweled head is there and part of the celebration that's getting lots of well wisher's attention. As well wishers visit throughout the business opening, currency is rolled up and stuffed into the snout and mouth of the of the head.

I think the new business gets to pluck all the bills from the snout and ears and mouth at the end of the opening. Nothing says good luck like this anywhere I've travelled. So there new business owner, make sure you get one when you open, you heard it here first!

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  • Mujjen Feb 29, 2012 @ 3:13 am | delete
    funny how good luck symbols vary so much!
  • hntrssthmpsn Feb 8, 2012 @ 9:55 pm | delete
    So *that's* what my luck has been missing... now how on earth am I going to hang a pigs head over the door? Do carvings count?
  • veryirie Feb 7, 2012 @ 3:58 am | delete
    Here in Hawaii, the ti leaf is a symbol of good luck.
  • goo2eyes Jan 28, 2012 @ 5:48 pm | delete
    i believe that some cultures use the pig's head as good luck symbol.
  • goo2eyes Jan 28, 2012 @ 5:48 pm | delete
    i believe that some cultures use the pig's head as good luck symbol.
  • PositiveChristian Jan 1, 2012 @ 2:54 am | delete
    Not very lucky for the pig :-)
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