TOPIC

Chinese superstitions

Chinese superstitions
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chinese superstitions. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
We explain the traditional Chinese divination practice of “ask rice” or mun mai, which involves a woman medium believed to be possessed by spirits using 1,080 grains of round rice for rituals. Photo: RedNote
Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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

Trending in China

China son nearly dies after sleeping on late mum’s bed in ritual to help departed souls

Trending in China

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.

A wedding tradition among the Yugur ethnic group in China involves the groom shooting three arrows at the bride’s clothing to dispel evil spirits and bring eternal love. Photo: gansu.gscn.com.cn
Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending in China

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.

China’s Bouyei ethnic group has a funeral custom called “stealing the pig”, which requires the eldest son-in-law to untie a pig hung above the coffin. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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.

A city in Japan has warned against placing coins in coffins during cremations, as they can melt and stick to the crematorium bed. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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.

Trending in China

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
Trending in China

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.

In some regions in China, people playfully scream at the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival as a message of love. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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.

Trending in China

China grandma cuts ‘longevity horn’ off head with scissors; needs emergency surgery

Frustrated 98-year-old bypasses doctors to cut off ‘finger-sized’ growth, starts bleeding profusely; ends up in critical condition.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Asian cinema: Chinese films

10 Taiwanese horror movies that turned to urban legends for inspiration

With the release of Haunted Mountains: The Yellow Taboo, here are other Taiwanese horror films and the allegedly true stories behind them.

videocam
Angela Yuen (left) and Jasper Liu in a still from Haunted Mountains: The Yellow Taboo, a new Taiwanese horror film that releases in Hong Kong this week.
Chinese culture

What gifts must you avoid giving in Chinese culture? Clocks, shoes and more

Some common presents in the West are considered bad luck in Chinese culture. Avoid giving these items to friends and loved ones.

8
Trending in China

Officials reject Chinese man’s request to change name to 48-character combo

‘Absurd’ 23-year-old plagues police with name-changing applications as his father hits out at son’s identity-switching exploits.

Trending in China

‘Hit a villain’: China bar offers cocktails for customers to banish bad vibes

Traditional ritual involves use of a slipper to hit piece of paper on which customers write the names of ‘villains’ in their life.

A bar in China is selling cocktails with slippers so that customers can partake in a ritual to banish bad vibes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese man scratches lottery tickets at ancestors’ tomb, wins, credits blessings

Kowtowing man takes total of 60 lottery scratch cards to grave-sweeping ceremony, scoops total prize of US$1,400, thanks ancestors.

A man in China who scratched lottery tickets at his ancestors’ tomb and scooped a rare win has given thanks to his ancestors as a result. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese influencer smashes temples, does bold stunts to challenge superstitions

Lifestyle challenging influencer with penchant for the paranormal stages scary stunts such as sleeping graveyards to debunk ancient rituals.

Trending in China

Taiwan nurse suffers burns, miscarriage after firecracker ritual between legs

Pregnant qualified nurse accepts bizarre instructions from staff at temple, court orders significant compensation for her physical, emotional damage.

Trending in China

Odd Chinese customs in treating guests – enough means more, less tea, more wine

When visiting Chinese friend’s home, best to refrain from complimenting their kids as parents prefer to downplay children’s abilities.

China has specific customs for hosting and being a guest, if unsure, it is wise to learn these etiquettes to fit in smoothly. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Trending in China

4 fun, dangerous festivals in China – knife climbing, frog dancing

From risky blade climbing to legalised thievery, China’s cultural diversity makes the country home to numerous strange festivals.

The Post runs the rule over a few of China’s most bizarre annual festivals. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu/Sohu/YouTube
Trending in China

China temple ‘high-5 cat’ raises paw to greet visitors, draws crowds seeking luck

Pet moggy decked out in gold chain goes viral on mainland social media by offering a human-style greeting to queues of tourists.

Trending in China

China myths impact daily life – don’t look back, no mirror near bed, bad brolly

Every society has its myths but China ranks high when it comes to superstitions thanks to its ancient civilisation.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement