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Chinese superstitions

Chinese superstitions
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chinese superstitions. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, it’s vital to observe customs that promote positive energy and good fortune. Photo: Sohu
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What to eat, say, or buy at Lunar New Year to bring positive energy, good fortune

From colours and hidden coins to language and gifts, the SCMP runs the rule over taboos that surround the annual festivities approach.

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Why traditional Chinese paper horses are burned during festivals, big life events

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Explainer | Why old Chinese custom requires brides to bring ‘toilet’ for ceremony

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Explainer | How Chinese ritual balances unboiled egg on mirror or knife to detect spirit possession

Strange tradition can also involve the use of a copper coin; often used to ‘treat’ young children who wake up in the night screaming and crying.

We explain why an old Chinese ritual for detecting spirit possession involves balancing an unboiled egg on a mirror or knife. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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Explainer | China folk custom beats women to boost fertility, dire results for not conceiving

Ancient ritual saw women beaten with bamboo sticks, brooms, wooden clubs; in variation of tradition, women were held over a fire.

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Explainer | How ancient Chinese ‘borrowing longevity’ custom helps to extend lifespan

In ancient China, people believed that fate predetermined lifespan, yet they also thought life expectancy could be borrowed or exchanged.

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Explainer | China ‘hair-shaving’ ritual for newborns uses stones, coins, eggs, symbolises success

Ancient custom sometimes saw babies’ eyebrows completely shaved by a highly skilled barber; tradition believed to remove ‘misfortune, evil’.

A traditional Chinese “hair-shaving” custom for newborns involves placing 12 stones, 12 coins, and 12 red eggs in water, symbolising intelligence and future success. Photo: Shutterstock
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Explainer | Why China custom requires new wife to leave husband’s home, hide from family lantern

Decorations normally seen as a sign of ‘light and hope’, but turn taboo for newlywed women during annual festival.

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Explainer | Why China children wear ‘canine-head hats’ and have humble names like dogs or pigs

Strange ancient custom which remains to present day sees children given names like wok, spoon handle, broom and chopping board.

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Explainer | China Bao’an ethnic group’s ritual ‘whips’ bride’s dad for not disciplining daughter

Ritual ‘punishment’ carried out as woman’s father kneels in courtyard of groom’s family; 3-day wedding also involves soot smearing custom.

We delve into the Bao’an ethnic minority in China which has a unique wedding tradition called “flogging the father-in-law” for not disciplining his daughter. Photo: dzwww.com
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China mum jailed for accidentally killing daughter by pressing her chest in ‘exorcism’

Superstitious mother who believed in telepathy pours water down girl’s throat to induce vomiting, expel demons.

A Chinese mother has been handed a three-year suspended jail term for accidentally killing her daughter during an “exorcism” after the young woman claimed to be possessed. Photo: Shutterstock
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Explainer | How China Dai women use chickens to find husbands, reject unwanted suitors

Women in 1.3 million-strong ethnic minority group use price of a cooked chicken, secret meetings in the woods to find the ideal partner.

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Explainer | Why Chinese ‘ask rice’ divination ritual involves using 1,080 round grains

Mystifying ancient tradition uses combination of the spirit world and mathematical formulas to predict future.

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Explainer | Why China Gelao ethnic group required women to have 1 to 2 upper teeth removed before wedding

Painful ritual from centuries past involved brutal dental procedure using a hammer; missing gnashers could be replaced by those of a dog.

In the Gelao ethnic group, an old tradition required brides to have one or two upper teeth removed before marriage. Photo: Sohu
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China son nearly dies after sleeping on late mum’s bed in ritual to help departed souls

Only child, 60, whose 86-year-old mother died from tick-borne virus, contracts same disease after picking up infection from her secretions.

An elderly son in China fell seriously ill after sleeping on his late mother’s bed, a local tradition believed to appease departed souls. Photo: Sohu
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Explainer | Why China Yugur ethnic group weddings involve groom shooting 3 arrows at bride

Unique ritual at elaborate ceremony stems from ‘monster slaying’ legend; nuptials also involve fire and a lamb shank smeared with butter.

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Explainer | How Chinese ritual uses hot oil to determine person’s guilt using boiling lube

Ancient method of deciding guilt or innocence appears to be blatant superstition in action, but wise shaman adds dash of natural justice.

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Chinese husband accused of cheating after wife’s fortune-teller session

Her accusation stemmed solely from a US$70 fortune-telling session she had purchased online.

A Chinese woman accused her husband of cheating based on a fortune-telling session that claimed he visited prostitutes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
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Explainer | Why China’s Bouyei ethnic group funerals include ritual ‘stealing’ of a pig

Historic custom mixes humour and physical comedy to lighten the grieving mood; includes playful slapping ritual; may involve use of a knife.

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Explainer | What is ‘offering sacrifices to empty coffin’ ritual in Taiwan; why burn figurine

Grounded in folk belief that ‘bad luck comes in threes’, ritual seeks to ward off misfortune and avert a third death in family.

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Explainer | Why Chinese boy rolls across newlyweds’ bed while chanting on wedding day

Centuries-old marriage ritual mandated that boys of a particular age took part; modern-day version can see adults doing the rolling.

A Chinese wedding tradition involves a young boy rolling across the newlyweds’ bed three times while chanting blessings. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/RedNote
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Explainer | Why brides from China Bai ethnic minority wear sunglasses on their wedding day

Wedding day ritual in 2 million-strong ethnic group is rooted in strong emotions; another sees bride pinched intensely by relatives, friends.

Find out why brides from China’s Bai ethnic minority traditionally wear sunglasses on their wedding day. Photo: SCMP composite/Zhihu
Viral stories

Japan’s Sapporo bans coins in coffins to help the dead pay for ferry to afterlife

Equipment damage sees ancient crematorium ritual outlawed; similar custom in China involves legend of the goddess of oblivion.

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Explainer | What is ‘dragon vein’ and why China artist, top brand hit over Himalayas fireworks

Environmental worries over pyrotechnics that may have compromised ancient beliefs about topography related to rise and fall of dynasties.

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Explainer | Why Taiwan women mark Mid-Autumn Festival by stealing neighbours’ spring onions

Ancient customs rooted in marriage and fertility take place across China, sees men and women rummage about in vegetable patches.

In Taiwan, unmarried women celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival by sneaking into neighbours’ gardens to “steal” green onions in a custom believed to help them find ideal partners. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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Explainer | Tian Kuang Festival – from sun-dried dragon robes to airing laundry for good luck

Auspicious time of year first marked by ancient emperors evolves into a modern-day festival that makes the most of sunny days.

We explore China’s Tian Kuang Festival, known as the Double Six Festival, which originated with emperors sun-drying their robes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
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Explainer | Screaming at the moon during Mid-Autumn Festival – tale of yearning and connection

Practice is rooted in local legend about elderly woman who tragically lost 17-year-old son to military conscription.

Chinese culture

Explainer | Demon, spirit, ghost or monster? How Chinese mythology separates them

As the Hungry Ghost Festival nears, we look at ‘yao jing gui guai’ in Chinese culture and their habit of appearing as beautiful women.

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