by Cicely Richard

Created on: July 07, 2008

Every culture contains a number of superstitions in order to explain events that occur in everyday life. Dictionary.com defines superstitions as "a belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance." While many of us consider ourselves to be rational, educated people, we still hold on to some of these beliefs that have been passed down to us by our family. Chinese are no different from any other culture. They have a number of superstitious beliefs as well. Let's examine the reasons behind Chinese superstitions.

Many of their superstitions center on New Year's celebrations. For example, at midnight, every door and window in a house should be opened to let out the old year. Some abstain from meat on New Year's Day ensures a long and happy live. On the other hand, others eat whole fish for togetherness and abundance while others eat chicken with it head and feet attached for prosperity. A bowl of noodles should be uncut for long life. Because plants and flowers symbolize rebirth, a home is luck if plants bloom on New Year's Day. Basically, the superstitions that they have for New Year's have similar meaning as other cultures. It's about getting rid of the old of the previous year and giving birth to, hopefully, a prosperous year.

Other superstitions center on numbers. The year you are born somehow determines your life's destiny. There are lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture. For instance, the number eight is lucky and symbolizes prosperity. Conversely, the number four is unlucky because it sounds like the Chinese word for death. Seven is death, and one is loneliness. The number nine is good because it sounds like the Cantonese word "sufficient."

In the United States, we have a number of customs when it comes to marriage and weddings, as do the Chinese. American brides are supposed to wear white on her wedding day. This is not so in Chinese culture. While white can be worn on the wedding day, other colors are colors are red and yellow for a lucky marriage. If black, blue, or gray is worn, this will bring bad luck to the marriage. Interestingly, you cannot marry someone with the same surname, even if they are not related to you. It is believed that they belong to the same ancestry. A couple should also be no older or younger than 3 or 6 years.

When I was pregnant, I heard a number of old wives tales concerning pregnancy and childbirth. The Chinese also have their superstitions. For instance, if newlyweds want good luck and baby boys, a boy must roll over their matrimonial bed. When a woman is pregnant, she cannot use glue because they believe this will cause a difficult birth. Striking an animal during pregnancy will make your baby look and act like one. Praising babies invites evil spirits and ghosts. There are many more than can be listed.

Before scientific research, superstitions were a means of explaining the unexplainable. While many people are intelligent, superstitions remain a part of their lives because of how deeply engrained they are in the human psyche.

Sources:

Chinese Superstitions
http://www.chinatownconnection.com/chin ese-superstitions.htm

http://dictionary.reference.com /browse/superstitions

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