Posted on June 13, 2008 - by The Clam -

Some might disagree but they are the most superstitious people in the world. Perhaps it’s the lack of organized religion, but the Chinese are quick to link natural disasters, accidents and violence to a combination of divine intervention and heavenly anger.

Now China’s online “net citizens” are linking Beijing’s Olympic mascots to a string of misfortunes in the run-up to the Games.

Four out of the five “fuwas” - literally friendly toys - are being tied in to the natural and human disasters visited on China during the turbulent build-up.

• Jingjing - the Panda - an animal closely associated with Sichuan Province, epicentre of last month’s terrible quake.

• Huanhuan - the Olympic torch - the round the world torch relay was a PR disaster of awesome proportions.

• Yingying - the Antelope - native to Tibet, the location of the March riots and the military crackdown.

• Nini - the Kite - the kite city of Weifang is located in Shandong, scene of April’s deadly train crash that killed 72 people.

• Beibei - the Fish - a Chinese sturgeon found only in the Yangtze River. Is this the location for China’s next major disaster as many are guessing.

“The scariest part of the message is the question it raised,” said website editor Chen Wei after seeing the postings.

“You never know what Beibei (the sturgeon) has in store”. In other words the worst may be yet to come. I won’t say I believe it, but I do feel a little worried about the unknown.”

Now there is also concern about the number eight. It’s supposed to be a lucky number. So much so that China’s Olympic Organizers have chosen August 8, 2008 as the opening date for the Games.

But the online doom and gloomers point out that this year’s snowstorm, the worst in a century, struck on 25/01 and if the numbers are added up they total eight. The same applies to the date of the Tibetan riots 14/03 and the earthquake 12/05.

The website reports: “The conclusion: counter to conventional wisdom, eight brings bad luck and untold disaster is in store for August 8, 2008. The very date chosen for the Olympic Opening Ceremony because of its supposed auspiciousness.”

Chinese Superstition Quick Round-Up

No sevens or fours

Chinese culture is steeped in superstition, with numbers playing a major role in birthdays, wedding dates and naming.

Six, eight and nine are considered lucky numbers, while four, seven and even one are considered more unfortunate.

The pronunciation of nine means everlasting, particularly in relationships, while six means things will go smoothly.

Telephone numbers, license plates and even residential or business addresses which use any of or a combination of those numbers are extremely popular and often cost more.

Conversely, anything involving the numbers four and seven are avoided as much as possible. Four sounds like the Chinese word for death. Seven translates as “gone” which can also mean death, while one can signify loneliness.

Here is a list of some classic Chinese superstitions:

When having a baby

• If you’re pregnant, use of glue will cause a difficult birth.

• If you strike an animal during pregnancy, the newborn child will look like that animal and behave like one.

• You should never praise a newborn baby because it will invite evil spirits and ghosts.

• A concave navel means a prosperous life.

• A baby with more than one hair crown will be mischievous and disobedient.

• A baby with wide and thick ears will live prosperously.

• Before you get married

• Wedding clothes should be red, yellow and/or white.

• Wearing black, blue or gray will bring bad luck to the marriage.

• Couples with the same surname cannot marry; even if they are not related, they still belong to the same ancestry.

• A boy, preferably born a Dragon, must roll over the newlywed’s matrimonial bed to ensure good luck and a baby boy.

• Never marry someone who is older or younger by 3 or 6 years.

Good Feng Shui

• The number of steps in a staircase should be even-numbered.

• It is bad luck to have two room doors face each other.

• It is bad luck if your door or gate directly faces a road.

• Don’t build your house facing the north.

• The master’s bedroom should not be situated right above the garage.

• The dining area should not be under a second-floor toilet.

Going to funerals

• An improper funeral will bring ill fortune and disaster.

• Statues of deities must be covered with red cloth of paper.

• Mirrors must be hidden; a person who sees the reflection of the coffin will have a death in his/her family.

• White cloth must be hung across the doorway of the house.

• The deceased’s children and grandchildren should not cut their hair for 49 days.

• After leaving a wake, do not go straight home lest the ghost of the dead follows you.

Lucky and unlucky colors

• Red is the color of blood or life and will bring happiness, wealth, fame, and good luck.

• Black is the color of feces and is associated with evil, disaster and bad fortune.

• White is the color of mother’s milk. It symbolizes moderation, purity, honesty and life and balances red and black.

Time

• Clipping toenails or fingernails at night is bad luck; the person will be visited by a ghost.

• If a dog howls continuously at night, this means death.

• Hearing a crow cawing between 3 and 7 am means the hearer will receive gifts; hearing a crow caw between 7 and 11am means rain and wind; and between 11am and 1pm means quarrels.

• If a man’s ears burn between 11pm and 1pm, there will be harmony between him and his wife; if they burn between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, a guest will soon arrive.

Things you should never do

• Beating a person with a broom will rain bad luck upon that person for years.

• Wearing a moustache is considered bad luck.

• Never point at the moon or your ears might get chopped off.

• Don’t sweep the floor on New Year’s Day lest you sweep away the good fortune.

• Don’t keep a pet turtle or it will slow down your business.