taboos!

yes, my title shouted it all, TABOOS!!!



for your information, taboos means words or actions or anything that is being banned (which means you are not allowed to say or do it, anyhow). In chinese society, they have a lot of superstitions stuff to be followed, which was passed from older generation to younger generation. well, usually the younger people try to unfollow or avoid but yea, we want the best for ourselves and family and friends, so, we will still follow those "taboos" blindly!

taboos for chinese new year is just too common, like no sweeping floor (your money and fortune will being swept away), cannot throw rubbish on first day (your fortune will be thrown), must wear red (to show happiness and prosperity) and etc etc etc. i believe you do heard a little from here and there right?

taboos (pantang)  during and after pregnancy for Chinese, that's what i wanna share about~

• not allowed to sew things or even hold scissors (older generation) because they believed that the newborn baby will have dented lips or improper lips, like with stitches.
• not allowed to move furniture around in the house (other people also cannot move it), especially the mother's bed because they believed you will have miscarriage for doing that
• after giving birth, mother is not allowed to wash hair or touch water, preferable to have every meals cooked with oil and ginger or even drink the ginger juice freshly,  must wear socks all the time (even it is 34 degree celcius!) and only allowed to drink hot water for 30 days because they believed the mother will catch a cold if she does not follow the rules
• after giving birth, mothers are not allowed to go out or bring the baby out,  because they believed the baby will be too shy or got frightened (these lasts for 30 days)
• nobody can praise the baby, as in "wow! you have such a cute and chubby little baby boy!" as they believed opposite of the praises will happen. so if they happened to hear any praises for the baby, they will quickly say "choi! (touch wood), ugly girl or ugly boy!"

these are a few examples, i hope this is new to you! =)

well, do you find it ridiculous, funny or acceptable?