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Chinese superstitions

Chinese superstitions
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chinese superstitions. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Many young people in China are turning to AI fortune-telling, reflecting a desire for certainty in uncertain times. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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Why Chinese youth embrace AI fortune-telling despite criticism of ‘scams’

Fortune-telling has become an appealing escape for youth, helping them navigate mounting pressures of education, career and relationships.

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China ancient custom sacrificed young women as ‘Cave God’ brides who starved to death

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China family buries luxury car as offering, prompts official reprimand, public apology

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How China ethnic minority groups use small chicken bones to predict fortunes

Ancient ritual sees birds battered to death with a hammer then thrown out of the home; in offshoot custom, boiled egg yolk can determine luck.

In a ritual practised by various ethnic minority groups in China, chicken bone divination uses the leg of a small rooster to predict fortunes. Photo: Sohu
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China woman uses AI-made man to lecture on respecting science, rejecting superstition

Non-existent retired professor who ‘lectures’ on parent-child relationships gathers online support from 200,000 followers.

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Why Chinese honour Toilet Goddess with effigies, rituals during Lantern Festival

Centuries-old folk custom takes place near latrines, pig pens and kitchens; places where the divine spirit is said to have suffered in the past.

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Why this ancient custom requires kids to ‘sell ignorance’ on Chinese New Year’s Eve

Centuries-old ritual saw children run around outside assailing passers-by after hearty festive feast; tradition also seen as being good for health.

During the Song dynasty, children had a playful tradition on Chinese New Year’s Eve called “selling ignorance”, in which they would run around and shout to free themselves from foolishness and welcome wisdom. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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How Chinese people overcome challenges by ‘eating’ and ‘whipping’ the spring

Seasonal festival rituals aim to promote agricultural abundance, include consumption of special food, striking of symbolic ox.

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Garlic in brides’ dowries: symbol of frugality and household management in China

More than a kitchen staple, garlic is revered as a ‘divine herb’; boasts 3,000-year legacy in medicine, rituals, home protection.

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What to eat, say, or buy at Lunar New Year to bring positive energy, good fortune

From colours and hidden coins to language and gifts, the SCMP runs the rule over taboos that surround the annual festivities approach.

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, it’s vital to observe customs that promote positive energy and good fortune. Photo: Sohu
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Why traditional Chinese paper horses are burned during festivals, big life events

Equine woodblock prints with long and varied history spanning dynasties are still used today; provide evidence of key printing technique.

We explain why paper horses which are traditional Chinese woodblock prints of deities are often burned during festivals or significant life events. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/daliwenlv.com/chinafolklore.org
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Explainer | Why old Chinese custom requires brides to bring ‘toilet’ for ceremony

In rural Wuhan, a pair of chopsticks is placed inside chamber pot, representing swift birth of son.

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Explainer | How Chinese ritual balances unboiled egg on mirror or knife to detect spirit possession

Strange tradition can also involve the use of a copper coin; often used to ‘treat’ young children who wake up in the night screaming and crying.

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Explainer | China folk custom beats women to boost fertility, dire results for not conceiving

Ancient ritual saw women beaten with bamboo sticks, brooms, wooden clubs; in variation of tradition, women were held over a fire.

We explain the reasons behind the distressing Chinese folk custom of Da Sheng in which women faced beatings to exorcise evil spirits and promote fertility. Photo: Shutterstock
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Explainer | How ancient Chinese ‘borrowing longevity’ custom helps to extend lifespan

In ancient China, people believed that fate predetermined lifespan, yet they also thought life expectancy could be borrowed or exchanged.

Urban legends warn that picking up a red envelope from the street can unknowingly entangle strangers in life extension rituals, incurring karmic debt. Photo: Shutterstock
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Explainer | China ‘hair-shaving’ ritual for newborns uses stones, coins, eggs, symbolises success

Ancient custom sometimes saw babies’ eyebrows completely shaved by a highly skilled barber; tradition believed to remove ‘misfortune, evil’.

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Explainer | Why China custom requires new wife to leave husband’s home, hide from family lantern

Decorations normally seen as a sign of ‘light and hope’, but turn taboo for newlywed women during annual festival.

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Explainer | Why China children wear ‘canine-head hats’ and have humble names like dogs or pigs

Strange ancient custom which remains to present day sees children given names like wok, spoon handle, broom and chopping board.

We explain why, In China, children often wear so-called dog-head hats and have humble names like dogs or pigs based on the belief that a noble child raised in modesty will have a long and safe life. Photo: Baidu/Douyin
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Explainer | China Bao’an ethnic group’s ritual ‘whips’ bride’s dad for not disciplining daughter

Ritual ‘punishment’ carried out as woman’s father kneels in courtyard of groom’s family; 3-day wedding also involves soot smearing custom.

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China mum jailed for accidentally killing daughter by pressing her chest in ‘exorcism’

Superstitious mother who believed in telepathy pours water down girl’s throat to induce vomiting, expel demons.

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Explainer | How China Dai women use chickens to find husbands, reject unwanted suitors

Women in 1.3 million-strong ethnic minority group use price of a cooked chicken, secret meetings in the woods to find the ideal partner.

We explain why women from China’s Dai ethnic minority group use chickens as a matchmaking tool. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sina
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Explainer | Why Chinese ‘ask rice’ divination ritual involves using 1,080 round grains

Mystifying ancient tradition uses combination of the spirit world and mathematical formulas to predict future.

We explain the traditional Chinese divination practice of “ask rice” or mun mai, which involves a woman medium believed to be possessed by spirits using 1,080 grains of round rice for rituals. Photo: RedNote
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Explainer | Why China Gelao ethnic group required women to have 1 to 2 upper teeth removed before wedding

Painful ritual from centuries past involved brutal dental procedure using a hammer; missing gnashers could be replaced by those of a dog.

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China son nearly dies after sleeping on late mum’s bed in ritual to help departed souls

Only child, 60, whose 86-year-old mother died from tick-borne virus, contracts same disease after picking up infection from her secretions.

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Explainer | Why China Yugur ethnic group weddings involve groom shooting 3 arrows at bride

Unique ritual at elaborate ceremony stems from ‘monster slaying’ legend; nuptials also involve fire and a lamb shank smeared with butter.

A wedding tradition among the Yugur ethnic group in China involves the groom shooting three arrows at the bride’s clothing to dispel evil spirits and bring eternal love. Photo: gansu.gscn.com.cn
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Explainer | How Chinese ritual uses hot oil to determine person’s guilt using boiling lube

Ancient method of deciding guilt or innocence appears to be blatant superstition in action, but wise shaman adds dash of natural justice.

An ancient Chinese ritual sees a pot of boiling oil used to decide a person’s guilt or innocence. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu
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Chinese husband accused of cheating after wife’s fortune-teller session

Her accusation stemmed solely from a US$70 fortune-telling session she had purchased online.

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Explainer | Why China’s Bouyei ethnic group funerals include ritual ‘stealing’ of a pig

Historic custom mixes humour and physical comedy to lighten the grieving mood; includes playful slapping ritual; may involve use of a knife.

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