Mainland businesses cash in on the all-important 'gao kao'
Luck is everything in Chinese culture, which reveres the mysterious or superstitious aspects of life. There is nothing wrong with praying for good luck. People do it all the time, praying for luck to boost business, magnify gambling wins and even improve academic achievements.
On the mainland, the national college entrance examination, known as gao kao, which takes place in less than two weeks, is a nationwide obsession as the test determines the fate of some 10 million students every year.
Parents will pull out all the stops to optimise their children's scores and do anything to improve their luck and chances. Some feed their children with so-called brain foods that supposedly increase concentration and boost memory. But many of these dietary habits are based more on superstition than nutrition.
Numerous businesses have sprung up to advise parents on how to help their children prepare for the big day. There are tutorial centres that offer tips on study habits to attract students.
Now, even the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum in Beijing have jumped on the gao kao bandwagon. They are offering test takers prayer books and stationery products that have been specially 'blessed' by the temple to augment luck.