https://www.scmp.com/rss/330433/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Fran Lu Fran Lu Chinese youth are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for fortune-telling, discovering that AI models are cheaper, faster, and equally effective compared to traditional human soothsayers. On a popular Chinese social media platform, the hashtag #deepseeksuanming, or DeepSeek fortune-telling, has amassed over 55 million views. DeepSeek is a family of Chinese AI models launched in 2023. Many users report that AI fortune-telling has seamlessly integrated into their daily routines.... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3353152/why-chinese-youth-embrace-ai-fortune-telling-despite-critics-labelling-it-scam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3353152/why-chinese-youth-embrace-ai-fortune-telling-despite-critics-labelling-it-scam?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In a tragic and mysterious ancient custom in China, unmarried girls were chosen as brides by a legendary “Cave God” and sent to live in caves, where they would fast to death as a form of sacrifice. The practice, known as Luo Hua Dong Nv is a folk legend from the Miao communities in Xiangxi, located in western Hunan province in southern China. It is an ancient practice which no longer exists and its origins are unclear. The custom has been described as a “marriage between humans and deities” and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350330/china-old-folk-custom-sacrificed-young-women-become-cave-god-brides-who-starved-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350330/china-old-folk-custom-sacrificed-young-women-become-cave-god-brides-who-starved-death?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Mercedes-Benz was buried as a funerary offering in a village in northeastern China, igniting public outrage over legal violations and environmental safety. A viral video shows some villagers in Liaoyang, Liaoning province, attending the funeral of a septuagenarian on April 9. Sources told the mainland media that the dead person was an avid collector of luxury cars, prompting his children to bury a real vehicle to ensure his soul’s peaceful passage. The car, a black Mercedes-Benz S450L valued... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/environment/article/3350031/china-family-buries-luxury-car-offering-prompting-government-reprimand-public-apology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/environment/article/3350031/china-family-buries-luxury-car-offering-prompting-government-reprimand-public-apology?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Ethnic minority groups in China have long relied on a gruesome method to predict their fortunes: beating a rooster to death and reading its femur bones, a practice that has lasted for centuries. Tracing back to the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, the custom is known as “Dajibu”, meaning chicken divination. It originated from ancient spiritual beliefs in southwestern China, where people lacking access to medicine would beat bronze drums to pray for healing. Chicken bone divination... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346349/how-china-ethnic-minority-groups-use-chicken-bones-small-roosters-predict-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346349/how-china-ethnic-minority-groups-use-chicken-bones-small-roosters-predict-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Young people in China are contributing to a fake account generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to lecture their parents about healthy and scientific life values. A social media account called “Lao Zhao jiang dao li”, or “Mr Zhao talks sense”, went viral recently, amassing over 200,000 followers in just two months. The man surnamed Zhao, based in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality, claimed in his profile that he is a retired professor who has specialised in parent-child relationships... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346320/china-woman-uses-ai-generated-man-lecture-respecting-science-rejecting-superstition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346320/china-woman-uses-ai-generated-man-lecture-respecting-science-rejecting-superstition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In China, during the Lantern Festival, a unique folk custom involves the worship of a Toilet Goddess. The unlikely ritual sees people create life-size straw portraits of the goddess and hold ceremonies near toilets, pigpens and kitchens to honour her and seek predictions for the coming year. The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is the first major festival after the Chinese Spring Festival. On this day, people admire decorative lanterns, watch dragon and lion... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344710/why-chinese-honour-toilet-goddess-straw-effigies-rituals-during-lantern-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344710/why-chinese-honour-toilet-goddess-straw-effigies-rituals-during-lantern-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan While many people in today’s China watch the state media CCTV’s gala show on Chinese New Year’s Eve, about 1,000 years ago children took part in a special and playful routine to celebrate a custom called “selling ignorance”. Known in Chinese as mai meng dong or mai chi dai, the practice began during the North Song dynasty (960-1127), a period of advancing culture and economy. It involved groups of mischievous children running through streets after eating the New Year Eve dinner and shouting... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344437/why-china-ancient-custom-requires-children-sell-ignorance-lunar-new-years-eve?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344437/why-china-ancient-custom-requires-children-sell-ignorance-lunar-new-years-eve?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang To welcome the arrival of spring, Chinese people across the nation observe a series of seasonal rituals such as Biting the Spring, Whipping the Spring and Speaking the Spring. The customs reflect people’s hopes for renewal, good fortune and a prosperous farming year, while also marking the transition from winter stillness to spring vitality. The SCMP explains why. Biting the spring Known as Yao Chun in Chinese, this is a traditional custom that involves eating seasonal foods such as spring... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343047/how-chinese-people-overcome-challenges-eating-and-whipping-spring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343047/how-chinese-people-overcome-challenges-eating-and-whipping-spring?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Garlic occupies a unique position in Chinese wedding traditions and broader cultural beliefs. In parts of Guangdong province, brides traditionally include garlic in their dowries, as it is believed to ward off evil spirits, dispel negative energy, and enhance feng shui in southern China. China stands as the largest producer and consumer of garlic globally, which serves as a foundational aromatic ingredient, alongside ginger and spring onions, in most regional Chinese cuisines. In traditional... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3343505/how-garlic-brides-dowries-china-promotes-frugality-and-household-management?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3343505/how-garlic-brides-dowries-china-promotes-frugality-and-household-management?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:21:50 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang As the Lunar New Year approaches, families across East Asia and beyond prepare not only festive meals and red decorations but also follow a series of long-standing customs believed to ward off bad luck and invite prosperity. The SCMP highlights some of the most commonly avoided taboos during the Lunar New Year and the meanings and stories behind them. Food to avoid Food plays a central role in the celebrations, but not everything is suitable for the festive table. It is important to avoid food... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3342467/what-eat-say-or-buy-during-lunar-new-year-promote-positive-energy-and-good-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3342467/what-eat-say-or-buy-during-lunar-new-year-promote-positive-energy-and-good-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu For hundreds of years, paper horses have been a popular item used in Chinese folk life to communicate with the gods. The creations are a form of woodblock prints of folk gods on coloured paper which have been used for home worship or burned at ceremonies since the Tang dynasty (618-907). Although they are known as “paper horses”, they do not only feature equine images, but all kinds of deities that reflect China’s polytheistic folk religion. One theory behind the name is that in the times... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3341652/why-traditional-chinese-paper-horses-are-burned-during-festivals-and-significant-life-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3341652/why-traditional-chinese-paper-horses-are-burned-during-festivals-and-significant-life-events?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang An old Han Chinese wedding custom mandates that the bride brings her own “toilet,” typically filled with red eggs, red dates, and peanuts, which symbolise fertility and abundant blessings. Traditionally linked to filth and unpleasant odours, the chamber pot may seem an unlikely addition to a bride’s dowry. Nevertheless, in many regions of China, particularly rural areas, it was once deemed a standard and essential item for a bride to carry to her new home. Beyond its practical function as a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3341067/why-old-china-custom-requires-brides-bring-toilet-or-chamber-pot-wedding-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3341067/why-old-china-custom-requires-brides-bring-toilet-or-chamber-pot-wedding-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Traditional Chinese folk superstition sees some families seek help from “egg-standing exorcists” who try to balance raw eggs on mirrors or kitchen knives to detect spirit possession. If the egg manages to stand upright, legend has it that a wandering spirit has taken over the person’s body. Traditionally, a superstition known as Cai Zhuang Ke, which is often referred to as “spirit possession”, is used to determine whether a sudden illness or extreme lethargy is caused by a wandering spirit or... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3339059/how-chinese-ritual-uses-unboiled-egg-balancing-mirror-or-knife-detect-spirit-possession?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3339059/how-chinese-ritual-uses-unboiled-egg-balancing-mirror-or-knife-detect-spirit-possession?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang An uncivilised folk custom in ancient China known as Pai Xi, or “Beating for Joy”, involved striking women with sticks in an attempt to exorcise evil spirits and pray for conception. Pai Xi, also known as Da Sheng, meaning “Beating for Birth”, is believed to have originated in southern China, particularly in Jiangsu and Fujian provinces. It was a fertility ritual that gained popularity during the Song dynasty (960–1279). According to the Records of National Customs of China, in rural areas of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3339195/china-folk-custom-beats-women-boost-fertility-dire-consequences-if-fail-conceive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3339195/china-folk-custom-beats-women-boost-fertility-dire-consequences-if-fail-conceive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A superstitious Chinese custom known as “borrowing longevity” involved performing a ritual to pray to the gods when a relative was seriously ill. During this ritual, individuals would voluntarily offer to shorten their own lifespans in hopes of extending the patient’s life. In ancient China, people held a profound belief in fate, considering a person’s lifespan predetermined and unchangeable. However, they also believed that life expectancy could be borrowed or exchanged. When parents were... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338112/how-ancient-china-borrowing-longevity-custom-helps-extend-lifespan-seriously-ill-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338112/how-ancient-china-borrowing-longevity-custom-helps-extend-lifespan-seriously-ill-people?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A unique yet traditional “hair-shaving” ritual practised in mainland China and Taiwan involves shaving a newborn’s head when they are about one month old, followed by applying a mixture of egg yolk and onion juice to their scalp. It symbolised that the child would grow up intelligent and had the potential to become an official in the future. The hair-shaving ritual, rooted in traditional Han Chinese child rearing customs, dates back to the Western Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and was once also... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338863/china-hair-shaving-ritual-newborns-uses-stones-coins-red-eggs-symbolising-future-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3338863/china-hair-shaving-ritual-newborns-uses-stones-coins-red-eggs-symbolising-future-success?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 06:00:15 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A traditional custom in northern China known as “hiding from the lanterns” requires that newly married women leave their husband’s home and avoid the groom’s family lantern on their first Lantern Festival after marriage. In China, lanterns are commonly seen as symbols of light and hope. However, during the Lantern Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, they become a taboo for newly married women in some areas. In a tradition popularly known as... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3337785/why-china-custom-requires-new-wife-leave-husbands-home-hide-family-lantern?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3337785/why-china-custom-requires-new-wife-leave-husbands-home-hide-family-lantern?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In a bizarre example of ancient superstition, Chinese parents dress their children in “dog-head hats” and give them strange names, like pig or worm. They did so in the belief that a cheap name could protect the child and ensure a long, safe life. The “dog-head hat,” which first appeared during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), is so-called because it features fur-lined ear flaps resembling those of a canine. Typically made from brightly coloured silk or woollen fabric, the hats are often adorned... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3337605/why-china-children-wear-canine-head-hats-and-have-humble-names-dogs-or-pigs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3337605/why-china-children-wear-canine-head-hats-and-have-humble-names-dogs-or-pigs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 08:00:17 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A unique wedding ritual among China’s Bao’an ethnic group known as “flogging the father-in-law” sees the family of the groom symbolically whip the bride’s father 20 times. As he endures his “punishment”, the bride’s father kneels to apologise for “failing to properly discipline his daughter”. The Bao’an ethnic group primarily lives in Gansu province in northwestern China and has a population of around 24,000. They practise Islam and speak Banan, which belongs to the Altaic language family. They... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3337447/china-baoan-ethnic-groups-ritual-playfully-whips-brides-dad-not-disciplining-daughter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3337447/china-baoan-ethnic-groups-ritual-playfully-whips-brides-dad-not-disciplining-daughter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A mother in southern China has been handed a legal punishment after she accidentally killed her daughter while performing an “exorcism” ritual on her. According to a recent report by Shenzhen Municipal People’s Procuratorate, a court in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, gave the mother, surnamed Li, a three-year jail term suspended for four years in July. Li and her two daughters had been obsessed with superstitious practices that involved telepathy and medication. They had been constantly having... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337281/china-mum-jailed-accidentally-killing-daughter-during-exorcism-pressing-chest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337281/china-mum-jailed-accidentally-killing-daughter-during-exorcism-pressing-chest?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China’s Dai ethnic minority have an unusual way of making romantic connections. Women make matches by taking chickens to the market during Dai New Year in the hope of attracting suitors, using the birds as matchmaking tools. “Chicken as a Matchmaker” is the Chinese translation of a courtship custom practised by the Dai ethnic group in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, southwestern China. The Dai, whose estimated population is 1.3 million, primarily live in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3336789/how-china-dai-women-use-chickens-matchmaking-tool-find-husbands-reject-unwanted-suitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3336789/how-china-dai-women-use-chickens-matchmaking-tool-find-husbands-reject-unwanted-suitors?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A mysterious and ancient tradition in China involves practitioners who try to predict the future and communicate with the spirit world via a ritual known as rice divination, or mun mai, in the south of the country. Its origins can be traced back to the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and a belief that all things in nature followed patterns and cycles, which are closely connected to human fortune and misfortune. The term “rice divination” comes from the main component used in the practice, 1,080... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3336054/why-chinese-ask-rice-divination-ritual-involves-using-1080-round-grains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3336054/why-chinese-ask-rice-divination-ritual-involves-using-1080-round-grains?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In China’s Gelao ethnic group, an old custom required brides to have one or two upper teeth removed before marriage, supposedly to avoid bringing harm to the groom’s family. In some cases, the missing teeth were even replaced by those of a dog for decorative purposes. The Gelao people are an ethnic group in China and Vietnam. Their estimated population in China in 2021 was more than 677,000. The group mainly lives in Gelao autonomous counties in the western part of Guizhou province in southern... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3335636/why-china-gelao-ethnic-group-required-women-have-1-2-upper-teeth-removed-wedding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3335636/why-china-gelao-ethnic-group-required-women-have-1-2-upper-teeth-removed-wedding?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang An elderly son in eastern China followed local customs by lying on his late mother’s bed to comfort her soul, only to contract a severe disease. According to the mainland media outlet, Hongxing News, the man surnamed Chen, who is in his 60s and from a remote rural area in Zhejiang province, is an only child. His mother, 86, had been in good health and worked in the fields everyday. However, following this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, she died unexpectedly after a bout of diarrhoea and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335184/china-son-nearly-dies-after-sleeping-late-mums-bed-local-tradition-help-departed-souls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335184/china-son-nearly-dies-after-sleeping-late-mums-bed-local-tradition-help-departed-souls?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A unique wedding tradition exists within China’s Yugur ethnic group which requires the groom to shoot three arrows at the bride, striking her clothing without causing her any harm. This unique ethnic minority who primarily live in the Sunan Yugur Autonomous County in Gansu province, northwestern China. Their total population is about 14,000 according to the 2020 census. Most Yugurs follow Tibetan Buddhism and speak a Turkic language. One of their most distinctive cultural traditions is the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3334223/why-china-yugur-ethnic-groups-wedding-tradition-involves-groom-shooting-3-arrows-bride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3334223/why-china-yugur-ethnic-groups-wedding-tradition-involves-groom-shooting-3-arrows-bride?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In ancient China, a special method of divine judgment known as the “oil-scooping ritual” served to make final rulings in cases of theft or debt disputes. The unusual legal tool was used when evidence was insufficient or inconclusive. At the time, forensic science was underdeveloped and people lacked the knowledge to uncover the truth, often appealing to the gods to distinguish right from wrong. One such practice was the “Boiling Scoop Judgement”, known in Chinese as Lao You Guo. This was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3331500/how-chinese-ritual-uses-hot-oil-determine-persons-guilt-reaction-boiling-lube?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3331500/how-chinese-ritual-uses-hot-oil-determine-persons-guilt-reaction-boiling-lube?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese woman accused her husband of infidelity based solely on an online fortune-telling session, during which the fortune-teller alleged that her partner had visited prostitutes and checked into hotels with other women. This prompted him to report to the police in an effort to clear his name. The incident gained public attention on October 22, when Anhui Broadcasting Corporation reported that a woman from Wuhu, Anhui province in eastern China, had levelled accusations of cheating against her... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3330346/china-husband-accused-cheating-after-wifes-fortune-teller-session-he-reports-police?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3330346/china-husband-accused-cheating-after-wifes-fortune-teller-session-he-reports-police?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 01:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang An unconventional funeral ritual among China’s Bouyei ethnic minority is the custom of Tou Zhu, or “Stealing the Pig”. The traditional ritual blends humour and physical comedy into a time of profound sorrow, turning grief into playful farce. The Bouyei people, whose population is about 3.5 million, are the 10th largest of China’s 56 officially recognised ethnic groups. They mostly live in the provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan in southern China and are renowned for their intricate batik and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3330092/why-chinas-bouyei-ethnic-group-funeral-customs-include-stealing-pig-hung-above-coffin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3330092/why-chinas-bouyei-ethnic-group-funeral-customs-include-stealing-pig-hung-above-coffin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In a Taiwanese folk custom, when two family members die within the same year, straw figurines and duck blood are employed in a special ritual that involves burning an empty paper coffin, aimed at preventing a third death within the family. This traditional practice, known as “Sacrificing to an Empty Coffin”, or ji kong guan in Chinese, is usually conducted during the funeral of the second deceased. Grounded in the folk belief that “bad luck comes in threes”, the ritual seeks to ward off... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3329664/what-offering-sacrifices-empty-coffin-ritual-taiwan-why-straw-figurine-burned?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3329664/what-offering-sacrifices-empty-coffin-ritual-taiwan-why-straw-figurine-burned?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:00:14 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang At some Chinese weddings, a little boy is invited to roll across the wedding bed while chanting blessings, praying for the couple to have children and enjoy prosperity. Known as gun chuang or “rolling the bed”, this centuries-old tradition originated in northern China but has since spread nationwide. In ancient China, when populations were small and productivity low, families desperately hoped for a male heir to help with agricultural work. Legend tells of a woman from the Zhao family who,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3328969/why-little-chinese-boy-rolls-across-newlyweds-bed-while-chanting-blessings-wedding-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3328969/why-little-chinese-boy-rolls-across-newlyweds-bed-while-chanting-blessings-wedding-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 01:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A fascinating and unique wedding ritual among China’s Bai ethnic minority involves brides wearing sunglasses on their wedding day to hide their tears as they bid farewell to their families. The Bai, whose name means white in Chinese, originally referred to themselves as Baipzix due to their strong preference for the colour white, which they hold in high esteem. In 1956, they were officially recognised by the Chinese government as the Bai ethnic group. Today, they primarily live in the Dali Bai... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3328396/why-brides-china-bai-ethnic-minority-wear-sunglasses-their-wedding-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3328396/why-brides-china-bai-ethnic-minority-wear-sunglasses-their-wedding-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu The northern Japanese city of Sapporo has issued an unusual warning to its populace by urging them not to place 10-yen (10 US cents) coins in coffins during cremations. Sapporo city in Hokkaido prefecture issued an official notice to crematoriums in April ordering them to stop people putting 10-yen (US$0.07) coins in caskets, according to local news outlets. In Hokkaido, tradition sees people put a 10-yen coin in the coffin for the dead so that they have enough money to pay for the ferry fare... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3327358/japans-sapporo-bans-placing-coins-coffins-help-dead-pay-ferry-afterlife?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3327358/japans-sapporo-bans-placing-coins-coffins-help-dead-pay-ferry-afterlife?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 01:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A massive fireworks display put on by Chinese artist Cai Guo-qiang and the outdoor brand Arc’teryx at the foot of the Himalayas has sparked public outrage. “The rising dragon” art event was launched on September 19, at about 5,500 metres above sea level. The display saw fireworks erupt four times for 52 seconds in total, using 1,050 clusters of fireworks. Witnesses said the display twirled around the mountain and generated disturbing sounds and smells. As local government officials began an... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3326698/what-dragon-vein-and-why-china-artist-and-top-brand-chided-over-himalayas-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3326698/what-dragon-vein-and-why-china-artist-and-top-brand-chided-over-himalayas-fireworks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, an ancient and quirky tradition has resurfaced in Taiwan, where unmarried women sneak into neighbours’ gardens to steal vegetables, believing this will help them find their ideal husband. Known as “stealing vegetables for a groom,” or tou cai qiu lang in Chinese, it takes place on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. During the night, unmarried women, often beautifully adorned, step out under the moonlight and sneak into a neighbour’s vegetable patch. But... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3326560/why-taiwan-women-celebrate-mid-autumn-festival-stealing-neighbours-spring-onions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3326560/why-taiwan-women-celebrate-mid-autumn-festival-stealing-neighbours-spring-onions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang The ancient Chinese Tian Kuang Festival has evolved into a modern ritual where people now sun-dry clothes and bathe their beloved pets to bring good fortune. Rich in history and folklore, it derives from the imperial custom of “Drying Dragon Robes” and offers both practical benefits and a unique avenue for cultural expression. It is also known as the Washing and Sunning Festival and it falls on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month. While it is an important holiday for the Han people, it also... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3325018/tian-kuang-festival-drying-dragon-robes-families-airing-laundry-good-luck?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3325018/tian-kuang-festival-drying-dragon-robes-families-airing-laundry-good-luck?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A special folk tradition known as “screaming at the moon” is celebrated as a distinctive way to honour the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday steeped in profound cultural symbolism. Common customs include moon gazing and savouring mooncakes, as the moon embodies themes of reunion, longing, eternity, feminine beauty, and reverence for nature. As poignantly captured by a famous ancient Chinese poem: “Though miles apart, we share the beauty of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3325039/screaming-moon-during-mid-autumn-festival-tale-yearning-and-connection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3325039/screaming-moon-during-mid-autumn-festival-tale-yearning-and-connection?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak According to ancient Chinese legend, the Hungry Ghost Festival – which falls on September 6 this year – is when the gate to the underworld opens, allowing ghosts of the deceased to pass through to the realm of the living. But not all ancestors have good intentions, and it is not just human souls that take their once-a-year opportunity to visit the earthly dimension. In Chinese mythology, there are many supernatural beings that inhabit other spiritual spheres. They are usually called yao guai in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3324134/chinese-mythology-how-demons-spirits-ghosts-and-monsters-are-separated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3324134/chinese-mythology-how-demons-spirits-ghosts-and-monsters-are-separated?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A 98-year-old grandmother has caused public shock by cutting off a hornlike growth on her forehead using a pair of scissors. The “horn” is a traditional symbol of longevity in Chinese folklore. The woman, surnamed Gu, from Shanghai, had been living with the growth on her for several years. It measured around 3 to 4 centimetres in diameter and, after removal, was reportedly as long as a finger. During a hospital stay for a separate treatment, Gu grew annoyed by the growth and cut it off herself... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3323187/china-grandma-cuts-longevity-horn-forehead-scissors-needs-emergency-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3323187/china-grandma-cuts-longevity-horn-forehead-scissors-needs-emergency-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:00:08 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh Urban legends, tragic accidents and historical wrongdoings have proved a rich font of inspiration for horror filmmakers, nowhere more so than in Taiwan. The island’s tumultuous history and rapid economic progress have seen old traditions and old-world beliefs engulfed by modernity. The past decade alone has seen a number of supernatural tales adapted for the big screen, nurturing a booming subgenre in supernatural horror. With this week’s release of the Taiwanese film Haunted Mountains: The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3322457/10-taiwanese-horror-movies-turned-creepy-urban-legends-big-screen-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3322457/10-taiwanese-horror-movies-turned-creepy-urban-legends-big-screen-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Mabel Lui Mabel Lui Many objects are considered auspicious in Chinese culture. Red items, for example, are thought to be lucky because of the colour’s associations with good fortune and prosperity – red clothing is commonly worn during Lunar New Year as it symbolises new beginnings. But there are also items that are considered unlucky, especially when given as a present. Giving the wrong present can risk ill will for years to come. Below are five things you should never give as a gift according to Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3316324/gifts-you-must-avoid-giving-chinese-culture-clocks-and-shoes-pears-and-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3316324/gifts-you-must-avoid-giving-chinese-culture-clocks-and-shoes-pears-and-why?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:28:03 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A 23-year-old man in China has caused controversy by constantly changing his name in the government’s identity registry system. On one occasion, he even applied to use a wacky name that contains 48 Chinese characters. The man, from a village in Guiyang county, Hunan province, central China, was born as Zhu Yunfei, Hunan Daily reported. He said he does not like this name because it is ordinary. Another man in his village has the same name. Since May last year, Zhu has changed his name twice via... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3308368/chinese-mans-request-change-name-48-character-combo-luck-rejected-authorities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3308368/chinese-mans-request-change-name-48-character-combo-luck-rejected-authorities?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 May 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A bar in southern China has become trendy on social media for providing cocktails which allows customers to indulge in a traditional “beat the villain” ritual in an effort to drive away bad luck. The drink, called a “Villain Hitting Cocktail” which is served at the Lotus Lounge bar in Guangzhou, Guangdong province boasts that it will let you banish bad energy with a slipper in your hand. According to a video clip which attracted 50,000 likes and 130,000 shares on a leading social media platform,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3306877/hit-villain-china-bar-offers-cocktails-slippers-customers-banish-bad-vibes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3306877/hit-villain-china-bar-offers-cocktails-slippers-customers-banish-bad-vibes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:55:56 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A man in China who scratched his lottery tickets while kowtowing to ancestors at their tombs has scooped the biggest win of his life and attributed his luck to the “blessings” of his forebears The 25-year-old, from southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said he spent 600 yuan (US$80) on 60 lottery scratch cards, and took them to his ancestors’ tomb during the just passed grave-sweeping festival. Thinking his ancestors would bless him, he scratched all 60 cards at their tomb. To his... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3305687/chinese-man-scratches-lottery-tickets-ancestors-tomb-and-wins-attributes-blessings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3305687/chinese-man-scratches-lottery-tickets-ancestors-tomb-and-wins-attributes-blessings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang An influencer in China smashes temples and sleeps in a graveyard in a strange attempt to debunk superstitions, hoping to promote science. Zhang Shulin, 25, from Shandong province in eastern China, is a lifestyle challenging influencer with nearly 3 million followers on mainland social media. At first, his challenges were lighthearted, such as playfully interrupting middle-aged women dancing in public squares, but they got little attention online. Inspired by his fans, in June 2023 Zhang took on... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3304705/chinese-influencer-smashes-temples-performs-bold-stunts-challenge-superstitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3304705/chinese-influencer-smashes-temples-performs-bold-stunts-challenge-superstitions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Apr 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A pregnant woman in Taiwan miscarried and suffered severe burns after following ritual instructions to place firecrackers between her legs, shocking many people online. On February 19, 2023, the woman surnamed Qiu, who worked as a nurse at a plastic surgery clinic, was invited by a temple staff member surnamed Zhang to participate in a “blessing ritual” at a temple in Miaoli county, Taiwan. As a part of the ritual, Zhang instructed her to remove her shoes and socks, spread her feet apart so that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3303804/taiwan-nurse-suffers-severe-burns-miscarriage-after-ritual-firecrackers-between-legs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3303804/taiwan-nurse-suffers-severe-burns-miscarriage-after-ritual-firecrackers-between-legs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Mar 2025 06:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu China has some unusual yet significant etiquettes regarding the treatment of guests. If you find yourself feeling apprehensive about how to treat a Chinese guest or about being a guest at a friend’s home in China, here are some helpful tips to navigate the experience like a local. Less tea, more wine It is considered courteous for the host to serve tea in cups filled to about 70 per cent, food in bowls filled to about 80 per cent, and wine served to the brim. This custom stems from ancient... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3302640/quirky-chinese-customs-treating-guests-enough-means-more-less-tea-more-wine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3302640/quirky-chinese-customs-treating-guests-enough-means-more-less-tea-more-wine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Mar 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Aside from the better-known festivals celebrated universally by 1.4 billion people, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, China is home to some unique and bizarre annual events that reflect the country’s diversity of culture. The Post takes a look at four of the most unusual festivals. Melon-stealing In some rural areas of southwestern China’s Guizhou province and central China’s Hunan province, there is one day of the year during which theft is completely legal. Across China,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3301884/4-china-fun-dangerous-festivals-celebrate-culture-climbing-knife-ladder-frog-dancing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3301884/4-china-fun-dangerous-festivals-celebrate-culture-climbing-knife-ladder-frog-dancing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A domesticated feline at a temple in China has been dubbed the “high-five cat” because of the manner in which it greets tourists who are flocking to the site seeking good luck. The moggy, which wears a gold chain, greets tourists by raising its paw to meet the palm of people’s hands. Xiyuan Temple in Suzhou, eastern China, is a cultural Landmark known for its stunning gardens and traditional Han Buddhist architecture. It dates back to the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). With numerous stray cats... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3301121/china-temple-high-5-cat-raises-paw-greet-visitors-draws-crowds-seeking-luck?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3301121/china-temple-high-5-cat-raises-paw-greet-visitors-draws-crowds-seeking-luck?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Mar 2025 06:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In China, superstitions are more than just ancient beliefs, they still shape daily life. The Post takes a closer look at four quirky myths that continue to impact modern culture. Mirror, mirror... Some older Chinese believe mirrors should never face the bed, as it is thought to cause insomnia and marital conflicts. According to feng shui, mirrors reflect and amplify energy, which can bounce negative vibes onto the bed, harming those who sleep there. Ancient beliefs also say mirrors absorb yang... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3300578/china-myths-impact-daily-life-dont-look-back-night-no-mirror-near-bed-bad-brolly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3300578/china-myths-impact-daily-life-dont-look-back-night-no-mirror-near-bed-bad-brolly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China is home to a rich variety of customs and traditions that reflect the wisdom and lifestyle of its people. While some of these customs may seem odd or sometimes even cause amusement, they often hold deeper meanings, such as blessings or good fortune. The Post explores four fascinating cultural practices from diverse categories such as medical treatment, celebrations, marriage and sport, and uncovers the history behind them. Sleep therapy This unique therapy is practised by the Dai ethnic... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3300536/4-quirky-china-customs-you-never-knew-existed-carry-big-ice-cubes-show-belly-good-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3300536/4-quirky-china-customs-you-never-knew-existed-carry-big-ice-cubes-show-belly-good-health?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Mar 2025 10:00:15 +0000