Chinese Superstitions 迷信!

 

 

Hey all! For the last post of the week, we’re going to talk about Chinese superstitions(迷信míxìn). In America, we have superstitions that many people believe in even though they can be silly. For instance, people believe walking under ladders(楼梯lóutī), having a black cat walk past you, and breaking a mirror(镜子jìngzi) will bring bad luck(厄运èyùn). Chinese superstitions are no different. Here are some examples!

The number 4 is unlucky, but the number 8 will bring good luck.

This is a very popular superstition. The number 4 in Chinese(四sì) is pronounced similiarly to the Chinese word for death(死sǐ). Therefore, people tend to avoid using license plates with the number 4 or living in a house with a house number that includes the number 4.  Some buildings in China do not even have the fourth floor. However, the number 8(八bā) sounds similar to the Chinese word for prosperity(发fā). Hence, Chinese people who believe in these superstitions stray from using the number 4 and tend to use the number 8 more often.

Never stick your chopsticks into your food.

This comes off as very disrespectful to those who are dining with you. Read more about this in Dining Formalities.

The color red is the best!

To Chinese people, the color red(红hóng) represents happiness. For instance, at weddings, the bride will wear a red Chinese style dress(旗袍qípáo). Also, red is ubiquitous during Chinese New Year and other important festivals. People also give and receive red envelopes(红包hóngbāo), which symbolize good luck(好运hǎoyùn), containing money during Chinese holidays.

Don’t gift clocks!

Be careful with what you give as presents to Chinese people. The term in Chinese that means “gift clocks”(送钟sòngzhōng) is pronounced the same as the phrase “送终sòngzhōng” in Chinese, which means to pay one’s last respects when someone passes away.

Do not point at the moon!

Here is the last superstitions that many Chinese people believe in. This one is a unique one. There is a legend that says to never point at the moon(月亮yuèliang) or else there will be a cut behind your ear as a punishment.

We have come to the end of some of the most common superstitions in China. I hope you enjoyed and learned a lot more about the Chinese culture! Make sure to comment below and tell us what you want to learn about next!