Have you heard of any of these quirky Hong Kong superstitions? Perform these acts and be prepared for misfortune, bad luck, unhappy relationships, and more.
While Hong Kong is renowned for being one of the top markets for finance, it also has a history deep-rooted in tradition and Chinese superstition. And there are times when there seems to be a combative dynamic between modern lifestyle and contemporary culture and heritage. Behind the beautiful Chinese temples are ancient stories, and the markets in Kowloon and parts of Wong Tai Sin are still surrounded by many fortune tellers. Read on for some quirky Hong Kong superstitions that don’t seem to make much modern-day sense, but have stood the test of time nonetheless!
Quirky superstitions and beliefs in Hong Kong
1. Number four
Hong Kong’s relationship with the number four is fascinating – a cultural nuance that adds just a bit of spice to the city’s vibrant tapestry. It has an eerie phonetic resemblance to the word “death” in both Cantonese and Mandarin. This captivating cultural belief has left a conspicuous mark on Hong Kong’s urban landscape.
Have you ever noticed that some apartment buildings mysteriously lack a fourth floor? That’s not an architectural oversight, Honey! It’s an intriguing nod to this superstition, cementing its status as one of the city’s most recognised and respected beliefs.
2. Leftover rice
This is a popular Hong Kong superstition for adults trying to get children to finish their meals. Parents usually warn kids to make sure they finish everything in their bowls, down to the last grain of rice, because each grain left behind is said to amount to an acne scar or a spot their future spouse will have!
3. Chopsticks in your bowl
Make sure you never stick chopsticks upright in your food, especially rice, as it resembles incense sticks that are burnt and used to pay respects for the dead. Not only will it bring you bad luck but will make you appear to have terrible table manners.
4. Cutting your birthday cake
According to Hong Kong superstitions, if you cut your birthday cake all the way to the bottom, you’ll be doomed to a life of singledom! And let’s be honest, even if you don’t believe in the power of cake-cutting, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Who knows, maybe it’ll bring you a lifetime of happiness with your soulmate.
5. Gifting a pair of shoes
Don’t ever purchase shoes as a present. Firstly, because shoes in Cantonese sounds like a sigh, so thereby gifting them implies to the person you’re giving the gift, that they are a burden. Secondly, the practical use for shoes is to walk or run in them, so giving your giftee a pair of shoes means they will leave you. Lastly, shoes are stepped on, and can be used to step on others, symbolising poor relationships and bad luck. In fact, many people won’t even buy shoes during Lunar New Year, since it symbolises a year full of sighs ahead.
6. Clocks as presents
Here’s another superstition relating to gifting. Gifting a clock is incredibly bad luck, as in Chinese the word sounds similar to attending and paying respects at a funeral. Presenting your giftee a clock especially on their day of birth is considered inauspicious and a bad omen.
7. Never bring home a stranger’s umbrella or open it indoors
Umbrellas are known to carry ghosts, because spirits tend to be attracted to shadows. So, avoid opening an umbrella indoors, as the shadow from the umbrella acts as an entrance for ghosts to enter your doors. And don’t ever pick up a stranger’s umbrella and bring it home.
8. Villain-hitting
Have you ever seen an elderly woman vigorously attacking and beating a drawing or photograph with her shoe? Guess what – that’s part of her job! Drawings of perceived enemies are created and then given to these women to beat mercilessly. On occasion, the beatings may be accompanied by curses (so treat everyone kindly!). Villain-beating also has worldwide notoriety – Time Magazine named this tradition as the “Best Way to Get It Off Your Chest” in its 2009 Best of Asia feature.
Intrigued? Read more about the practice of villain-hitting in Hong Kong.
9. Trinkets and bells during the Hungry Ghost Festival
The seventh month of the lunar calendar marks the Hungry Ghost Festival. This is when all gates of the afterlife open and wandering spirits are let loose to roam the Earth. During this time, people should avoid wearing or carrying anything that has bells or trinkets that will make a ding sound, as this is believed to attract spirits. So if your little kitty has a cute bell, sorry boo, it’s gotta go!
Find out more with our guide to the Hungry Ghost Festival.
10. Dragon gates
You’re not alone if you wondered why there’s a massive square-shaped hole carved in buildings. “What a waste of space,” some would think, but there’s actually a feng shui reasoning behind the architecture. It’s believed that dragons still live in the mountains and these holes allow the beasts to pass through to reach the sea. This act also brings positive energy (known as qi) and the blockage of their passage is believed to bring bad luck.
11. Sweeping at night
Hold that broom right there! According to Hong Kong superstitions, it’s considered a big no-no to sweep your floors once the sun has set. This centuries-old belief stems from the idea that you could inadvertently sweep away all your good luck and prosperity along with the dust. The same principle applies to sweeping during Lunar New Year.
12. Green hats
The phrase “wearing a green hat” carries a rather unsavoury connotation in Chinese culture, as it implies that a man’s partner is being unfaithful. This quirky Hong Kong superstition has its roots in the language, with the phrase sounding eerily similar to the term for “cuckold” in Mandarin.
13. Books in the bedroom
In local superstition, the word for “book” in Cantonese phonetically mirrors the term for “lose”, leading to the belief that books in the bedroom could cause you to experience losses in life or work. It’s particularly heeded by students during exam season who wouldn’t want to risk their grades. So, maybe it’s time to move that bookshelf to the living room?
14. Number eight
This superstition goes in the complete opposite direction as number four, even though it is its multiple. The number eight in Cantonese sounds similar to the word for “getting rich”, and is therefore embraced by most in the city as a lucky number.
[This article was originally published in October 2019 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
