Superstitions in Southeast Asia: How to keep ghosts away?
Apr 5th, 2008 | 09:01 PM
#1
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Superstitions in Southeast Asia: How to keep ghosts away?
Here in Hawaii, we often carry Hawaiian salt and/or ti leaves to help ward off spirits. I guess in Catholic tradition, holy water and a crucifix might be a protective measure. Do people carry any items, materials, talismans, etc. in SE Asia to help repel spirits?
I realize I sound like a freak asking this question, but if you see some of my posts on other boards, I'm pretty open about my superstitious nature.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I realize I sound like a freak asking this question, but if you see some of my posts on other boards, I'm pretty open about my superstitious nature.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Apr 5th, 2008 | 10:12 PM
#2
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In Hong Kong and elsewhere in Southern China, it's not uncommon to see people hang a <b>Bagua Mirror</b> outside their front door.
And one may also carry a "Fu", which is symbol usually drawn in red ink on yellow paper that can attract or repel spirits.
Both are based on Taoist "tradition".
And one may also carry a "Fu", which is symbol usually drawn in red ink on yellow paper that can attract or repel spirits.
Both are based on Taoist "tradition".
Apr 5th, 2008 | 11:10 PM
#3
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I found this list of Thai superstitions.
(1) Do not let your children play with shadows during the evening. The shadow guy will come and take them away.
(2) Do not pick flowers in the temple grounds. You will go to hell when you die.
(3) Do not walk with your face down. It will make your life shorter.
(4) Do not stomp as you walk around the house. You will scare the guardian spirits of the house.
(5) Do not walk heavily. You won't be able to save any money.
(6) Do not walk across any sharp objects. It will make them unsharp.
(7) Do not hit your parents. You will become a very bad ghost.
(8) Do not boil an egg in a rice cooker. It will make your life worse.
(9) Do not set up a spirit house in the shadow of a house. The owner of the house won't be successful.
(10) Do not cut your hair on Wednesday. It is bad luck for you.
(11) Do not cut your nails during the night-time. It will be like breaking the bones of your ancestors.
(12) Do not insult a Buddha image. You will go to hell.
(13) Do not get married on odd numbered months. It is a bad omen for your marriage.
(14) Do not spit or complain about the smell at a funeral. Bad things will happen to you.
(15) Do not take off your clothes or sleep next to the closet. A ghost will come to haunt you.
(1) Do not let your children play with shadows during the evening. The shadow guy will come and take them away.
(2) Do not pick flowers in the temple grounds. You will go to hell when you die.
(3) Do not walk with your face down. It will make your life shorter.
(4) Do not stomp as you walk around the house. You will scare the guardian spirits of the house.
(5) Do not walk heavily. You won't be able to save any money.
(6) Do not walk across any sharp objects. It will make them unsharp.
(7) Do not hit your parents. You will become a very bad ghost.
(8) Do not boil an egg in a rice cooker. It will make your life worse.
(9) Do not set up a spirit house in the shadow of a house. The owner of the house won't be successful.
(10) Do not cut your hair on Wednesday. It is bad luck for you.
(11) Do not cut your nails during the night-time. It will be like breaking the bones of your ancestors.
(12) Do not insult a Buddha image. You will go to hell.
(13) Do not get married on odd numbered months. It is a bad omen for your marriage.
(14) Do not spit or complain about the smell at a funeral. Bad things will happen to you.
(15) Do not take off your clothes or sleep next to the closet. A ghost will come to haunt you.
Apr 5th, 2008 | 11:42 PM
#5
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LOL! Hanuman, I'm sitting here laughing to myself, that was too much!!
OK I'm kind of aware of the "do nots" as my mom would scold me for certain things. But what can I carry with me to ensure no spirits come around? I'm headed for Vietnam, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in about a month and I need to be well armed. Sort of.
OK I'm kind of aware of the "do nots" as my mom would scold me for certain things. But what can I carry with me to ensure no spirits come around? I'm headed for Vietnam, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in about a month and I need to be well armed. Sort of.
Apr 6th, 2008 | 01:30 AM
#6
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Apr 6th, 2008 | 09:07 AM
#12
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In a number of places in SE Asia, doorways always have a sill 4-6 inches high, so you have to step over it to get into the house. These high sills are meant to "trip" the bad spirits trying to get into your house. (You can see these at the Jim Thompson House)
Apr 6th, 2008 | 05:21 PM
#15
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I brought this up because I travel with Hawaiian salt, but there was definitely a spirit in an apartment I rented in Prague. The Hawaiian salt didn't help, so I figure the repellant must vary from country to country...? I actually don't see ghosts, they make themselves known to me in other ways.
GAWD, I sound like a freak!! I promise, I'm a legitimate Fodorite!
GAWD, I sound like a freak!! I promise, I'm a legitimate Fodorite!
