Chinese superstitions

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There are a huge number and variety of Chinese superstitions. China has a diversity of different religions and cultural beliefs that include hundreds of different superstitions. Before the development of modern society in China, most Chinese believed in some form of superstition. Most of Chinese Superstitions were separate in to several parts which association with the similar pronunciation (Homonyms), Feng Shui --'qi' or bad luck superstition in business or some special area. These all rules of superstitions were built to avoid negative influence and improve their life.

Feng Shui--Qi

Feng Shui -'qi'

Feng Shui is one of ancient historical superstitions, which is a philosophical system use the law of the heavens and the earth to improve 'qi'. The literal meaning of 'Feng Shui' is 'Wind Water'--or may understand as divination, which is a kind of physical structure spread by wind and attach on water.. Yin-Yang is one of the main theories in Feng Shui. In the universe, everything is composed by two opposing, but deeply connected forces - the Yin-阴 (feminine) and the Yang-阳 (masculine). Represent by the Tai Chi symbol. This symbol is divided into two parts, which is black are and white area. Yang is the sun essence of the mid-day with white area and Yin is the mystery of the night with black part. The sensitivity of Feng Shui is described as a kind of environment that influences 'qi' and the balance of environment. Initially used for building tombs by 'qi' and later become a common way to achieve harmony with the natural environment. This also brings various scientific technologies. For instance, the first compass was Feng Shui instrument, which describe the balance of yin and yang. The Superstitions usually about luck in Feng Shui were connected between the culture and some philosophical belief systems that discovered variety areas. Chinese usually believe that the different types of superstitions were related with other specific invisible energy domain that about luck, like family, energy of love or their life. Chinese usually take 'Feng Shui' seriously, like in one's home, workplaces or businesses (and originally graves) are designed in certain ways to maximise benefit and maintain an overall balance of 'qi'.

Some researches show only 30% interviewee think Feng Shui need to be controlled and other 70% believed that Feng Shui should be encouraged. This practice can bring people positive influence and lead to happiness and lucky. Feng Shui can be applying in many situations, includes architecture, some garden design or improve the business development. The company usually employ a Feng Shui master to do this correctly, which usually is an expensive process. Therefore it is more widespread in companies. Ancient Tombs is one typically example about the application of Feng Shui.

Ancient Tomb

In ancient China, most tombs used Feng Shui for site selection. The royalty and high society usually had Feng Shui masters spent few months or years, walking the mountains to find an ideal spot for use as the family's burial ground. This arduous task was called Xun Long Dian Xue-寻龙点穴 ( Find the Dragon, Pinpoint The Meridian Spot ). According to ancient texts, desirable burial sites with auspicious time allow the dead to rest in peace, ensure the happiness and prosperity of future generations. Otherwise, if the buried site is bad will have the opposite of 'signal', which impacted negatively. Therefore, Chinese mindset that they need to be buried in good Feng Shui and the negative buried location may influence the three-generation.

Superstitions about pronunciation

Many superstitions in China are derived from words that sound nearly identical: what are known as Homonyms. In Chinese Superstition, the similarity of sounds with different meanings has lead to people treating homonyms as a potential site for superstitious meaning. For instance, the relationship between the number 4 (pronounced as "si") is similar to the Chinese word for death (pronounced as "si" as well). It is not only sounds, however, that play into the superstitious relationship between words and concepts. Often, particularly with numbers, Chinese superstitions are derived from the shape of the number: for instance, the relationship between 11 and a stick.

Numbers (Pronunciation)

Most of Chinese believe strongly in numerical superstitions. Numerical superstitions always tend to make a connection between the different numbers with same pronunciation. '4', '6' and '8' are three obvious examples. The number '4' is an evil death number in the Chinese superstition because of the sounds is related to the death, just like the number 13 in some of western cultures. The pronunciation of 4 is 'si-四' which sounds same with death also called 'si-死'. For instance, if the products have connection with the number which could be a terrible idea and this is very unusually to have a floor with number 4 in the elevator. Most Chinese tourism would book hotels and asking specially that they were not on fourth level or the room with '4' and they may ask to move to the different floor if they get this number.. There also have Lucky numbers in the superstitions which is '6' and '8' The pronunciation of '8' is 'Ba-八' which sounds similar with 'fa-发'. The word 'Fa' means wealthy or make a fortune and '6-六' more like means have good luck. Therefore, most Chinese will choose to add these two lucky numbers on their phone number or license plate. Some Chinese even pay for the lucky number, but there has no one will choose to pay for a number with many '4' on their phone number. The report shows in Vancouver, the sale price of neighborhoods that relevant with Chinese resident were lower by 2.2% due to the street address numbers ending in '4'. While those ending with '8' were higher by 2.5%.

Numbers (Shape-festival)

There is an example of number superstitions not just related with the pronunciation, also have connection with the shape of the number. The date in China is expressed in order of year/month/day. One of the popular Internet festivals is 11.11. The shape of number '1' same like a stick which usually relevant to the people who have no boyfriend or girlfriend. Four Sticks come together become an incredible day to celebrate for the people who don't have lover or dates and called 'Double Eleven'. Another popular festival is 5.20 that know as a day for confession to show their mind. Also, broke the record of marriages on 2013.01.04 because of the number '2013.1.4' sounds like love you forever.

Gifts

Chinese usually prepare the gift for others during the festival or some special day. They usually need to consider various things because the different type of gifts is representing different means. Others may get worse or upset due to the wrong gifts. For instance:

• Avoid giving gift with a set of four, like four bed linings, tableware.
• Clock is a terrible idea as a gift (especially for the elderly). The word 'clock' have the totally same pronunciation with the word "end" which usually means the end of the life and equivalent of wishing the death of someone. This may been taken as a wicked curse.
• The pronunciation of umbrella sounds like 'San-伞' which means to break up with others.
• The pronunciation of Shoes sounds like 'xie-鞋', which means evil and may relevant with some bad luck things.
• Avoid giving pear as gift, this word called "li-梨" which means get divorce or leave someone.

Chinese Superstitions in business

There are some superstitions in business. Businesses may ask advice from Feng Shui master and check the business's Feng Shui to achieve better future development. There are many mythologies in China history and many businesses choose to put the statue of a prominent figure in the business for bless the company. Chinese believe that consecrate the statue of famous historical figure will helpful to improve the business development. For example, in some medicine business, Chinese may built the statue of Hua Tuo and pace the statue to protect the company's operation.

• There are many Feng Shui superstitions and lucky conditions around casinos. The location of the casinos or the decoration from outside to inside all associations with Feng Shui that influence the business wealth.

• When the business need to discuss the problem and have the meeting at 4 O' clock Meetings. Chinese may try to avoid them and arrange at 8 O' clock.

• Fish are considered lucky in Chinese Superstitions and usually ordered during business dinners. The sound of 'Fish'-鱼 is same as 'yu'-余 which means surplus.
• Water is one of the most powerful symbols in Fengshui. Most business will put water and fish in the company which help business running.

• Turtle always symbolism as longevity. If the business package the turtle as a pet. It will destroy the business and slow the business run down.

Chinese Superstitions in festival

China has a diversity traditional festivals, like Mid-Autumn Festival, China National Day or Qingming Festival. These traditional festivals usually with various superstitions. One typical festival is Spring Festival with various superstitions.

Spring Festival

Spring Festival is know as Chinese New Year which is one of most popular festival in China. This festival is a time to commemorate ancestors which maintain for centuries with several myths and superstitions。

• According to the tradition, people must stay up late on New Year's Eve until New Year. Then scare off spirits and "Nian-年" (the New Year monster) by using firecrackers and fireworks.

• Chinese usually celebrate New year by Paste couplet or hanging the word "fu-福" on the door. This word means prosperity and when the word is hung upside down "Fu Dao Lai-福到来" which means prosperity will arrive. They also do this in their company.

• Most of people will choose to wear bright red colour to celebrate for itand hope be luckier during next year.
• There are so many objects were packed with red colour during the New Year, like red lantern, red bag and red couplets. Even after the New Year, some people choose to let red couplets remain pasted on for bring safety and lucky in their daily life.
• Avoid cut hair during the New Year, If people cut hair on New Year's Day is believed to be cutting their life short. People may become unlucky because of borrowing money on this day and try to pay all the debt before New Year Eve.

Chinese Superstitions in Colours

Colour is another part in Chinese Superstitions and some usually play lucky role in the culture, while others are not and have some different meaning. The four typically superstition colours are red, yellow, white and Green which also represent different meanings.

Red

Red is a popular colour that means lucky in China Superstitions. Red as a colour of national flag always represents happiness and people think red colour can bring good luck especially during the spring Festival. This colour is everywhere especially during wedding and festival. This colour is the main colour used in traditional Chinese wedding. The bride and the bridegroom will also dress in this colour with the word "囍" cut out in red as well.

Yellow

Yellow is the colour usually represents royalty and power and China ancient emperors often dressed in this colour with the patterns of dragons also being sewing on it. In the modern society, This colour usually shows on the older generation, like gold jewellery and sometime as a gift for the new born with beautiful meaning from elder people.

White

White colour is the main colour of the funeral and with the unlucky colour with negative meaning, people choose this colour for mourning the death of their loved people. White chrysanthemum is the main flower to use in funeral (remember never give others these flowers as a gift). Therefore, people usually think wear this colour without funeral with ominous implications.

Green

Green usually not connected with unlucky meaning, but this colour has some negative meaning and usually shows when people wear a green hat. This means the wife of this man is unfaithful to him and this word is usually used for male

Chinese Superstitions compare with Malaysian Chinese

Malaysian Chinese Superstitions refers to the beliefs of Malaysian Chinese and Singaporean Chinese. They are the neighbor of China and both share the similar culture. These countries have some similar superstitions with Chinese, but with different detail. They all believe in the some numbers superstitions, like, 4 which represent the unlucky meanings. One famous place is "Sacred" stone attraction. People from everywhere were seeking good luck from this granite stone for several years. One visitors said he bought $1 water to clear the stone and saw four numbers, he use these numbers won RM1,400 in Wednesday's four-digit draw.

There are some different superstitions:

• never sit on the books, book is use for read not for sit ans sit on books for a long time shows the disrespect of books which leads to stupidity.

• Don't let the plate to dry after a meal, people are expected to clean their plate or pour a small amount of water to keep the plate wet. People believed that if let plate dry, the food will soon "Dry out"
• Don't shake the leg uncontrollably when they sit on the coach or pillow, this behavior may in influence the wealth which make wallets become empty.
• Never cut nail at night and don't watch mirror during the midnight. This time area usually connect with other negative word which may led to some bad things.

External links

• www.example.com

This article "Chinese superstitions" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Chinese superstitions. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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