Slice of Life Sunday – Week 15

The Chinese have many superstitions, so many that they can fill up a whole book.  But what I can write here is a molehill not a mountain.  Most of what I can recall at the moment are those that my mother used to influence belief in her children, generally out of love for their well being. 

Particularly striking are the dos and don’ts during the lunar new year (Chinese New Year).  We were not allowed to wear black during the first fifteen days because black is a mourning colour.  Actually, most dark colours such as dark blue or green would be avoided.  We had to wear bright coloured clothings instead.  Red is especially encouraged because it’s the colour of luck.

We were also not allowed to sweep the floor on the first day of Chinese New Year as we would be sweeping away good luck.  In fact, brooms were hidden from sight.  I remember thinking that the reason for this was probably just so no one accidentally grab the broom and do some sweeping, and not because a witch would come upon the house.   On the second day, the broom was brought out and sweeping begun from the front of the house to the back, to sweep in good luck. 

Anything to do with the dead was taboo to my mother.  She would not attend a funeral or go to anyone’s house whose family was in mourning.  The normal mourning period is usually 100 days.

Well, my mother is no longer around to see what her children are doing these days but we still follow the “good” superstitions such as wearing bright colours during the new year.  Prehaps, it’s more out of respect for her wishes rather than believing in the superstition ourselves, and just in case she’s watching us from somewhere.