SUPERSTITIOUS IN MALAYSIA

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

 Today, I want to share about superstitious in Malaysia.

I believe that all of you feel excited to read this information..

As Malaysian's we would have heard all the many superstitious that we may not even be able to tell them apart. Here are a few and also the real reason as to why this superstitious came up:

                                   MALAY SUPERSTITIOUS

1) Do not break mirror (some even say glass)

Reason: 7 Years years of bad luck

Truth: If  people break mirror or glass, they can get their hands cut.

2) Don not sit / step on a book

Reason: You will become stupid.

Truth: Its a reading material, so as a form of respect, the least we can do is not to step or sit on it.

3) Do not sit on pillow

Reason: You will get a boil on your bum

Truth: You put your head on it to sleep, you do not want it smelling of people's bum.

4) Young ladies should not sing while cooking.

Reason: You will get marry to an old man

Truth: If you sing, you might loose concentration in cooking and might add the wrong ingredients or maybe your saliva will drop into the pot.

5) Do not open umbrella at home

Reason: Some say the house will be cursed n you will lose some wealth.

Truth: You might poke someone , or if its wet, water will drip inside the house.

6) During Maghrib, Muslims kids are not allowed to play outside

Reason: A lot of ghosts wandering around

Truth: You want the kids to be back early, have their bath and pray on time.

7) Do not walk under the ladder

Bad luck will befall you

Truth: If you walk under the ladder chances are people on top may drop something and fall on you, or even the ladder might fall on you

8) Do not cut fingernails at night (Same with do not cut hair at night / do not sew at night)

Reason: You will be cursed

Truth: Those days people used kerosene lamps where the light is dim. So, you might cut your fingers 

9) If you accidentally bite your tongue, it means that someone is speaking ill of you.


                                 CHINESE SUPERSTITIOUS

1) House Cleaning

The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

2) New Year Activities Set Precedent

All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" , which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.

If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.

3)  Personal Appearance and Cleanliness

On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.

INDIAN SUPERSTITIOUS

- After moving into a new home, they will patch cow dungs on the wall of their entrance to prevent evil spirits from coming in.

- Seeing an elephant when one is leaving for a journey is considered lucky. This is because an elephant represents Lord Ganesha, the Indian God who is the harbinger of good luck and removes obstacles.

- Seeing a peacock on a journey is also considered lucky, but hearing its shrill sound is bad.

- Indians feel happy if a sparrow builds a nest in a new house because it signals good fortune.

- A dog howling near a sick man's chamber predicts his death.

- Even the daily life of Indians is governed by beliefs and superstitions. For example, Monday is not an auspicious day for shaving and Thursday is a bad day for washing one's hair.

- One of the common things not to do in public is for couples to hold hands. Now if you are married then it will be okay, but if you are just dating, holding hands in public whether or not it is among the Indian community is sometimes deemed inappropriate. This is due to an old tradition where it is not allowed in the society so there is always a fear of ‘what if people see us?’. Since holding hands are deemed inappropriate, then kissing and hugging are totally out of the question.

- For Indian girls, they are not encouraged to wear short skirts or short pants in public. This is very common in fact among all culture but it is regarded to be quite a serious taboo among the more traditional families because such fashion tends to promote promiscuity.