Beware of haunted MRT stations and pointing at the moon. Do you believe these superstitions in Singapore?
Despite Singapore being a modern city, we’re quite a superstitious bunch. It’s true; we enjoy ghost stories and we’re home to urban legends that have lingered forever. Here are some local superstitions we’ve unearthed in Singapore. And yes, it’s okay to admit you’re a believer…
Local superstitions and urban legends in Singapore
1. “Eh, touch wood”
Have you ever said something ominous to a friend, only for them to respond with “touch wood” before frantically looking for a piece of wood to tap? You’re not the only one to experience this superstition in Singapore. Although the act of knocking on wood may seem random, it actually stems from ancient pagan practices. The belief is that spirits live in trees, and if you knock on the tree, you’re calling on the spirit for help and good fortune. Or, in this case, preventing something bad from happening.
2. Don’t leave food on your plate
If you grew up in Singapore, you probably heard your parents telling you to eat every last grain of rice on your plate… or else. Apparently, the more clean plates you leave at the dinner table, the more likely your future partner will have smooth, clear skin. Of course, now that we’ve all grown up, we’re clued into the fact that it was probably a ruse from the older generation to get kids to eat their veggies.
3. The haunting of MRT stations
Are you even surprised? Singapore is tiny, so chances are high that your workplace, home or favourite hangout spot used to be a cemetery. Brace yourself, because these MRT stations are said to be former cemeteries: Orchard, Woodleigh, Newton, Bishan, Novena, Caldecott and Tiong Bahru. We’re pretty sure there are more, too. At Bishan and Novena, there have been alleged sightings of headless spectres and phantom passengers on trains. Don’t go home too late tonight!
4. Don’t cut your nails at night
Some say it’ll shorten your lifespan, while others say that spirits will consume your nails and take on your appearance. But this superstition in Singapore probably originated from the olden days, when nail clippers didn’t exist and there was no electricity at night, so cutting nails in the dark would cause all sorts of bloody problems.
5. Stop shaking your legs
Because you’ll lose your luck! This belief says that shaking your legs is akin to kicking your wealth away, so don’t be surprised if someone tells you to sit still so you don’t chase your fortune away.
6. Rain, rain, go away
Chilli is beloved in Singapore, especially among spice fiends. But some say that it can do more than just give your stomach a fiery kick. It’s believed that chilli (and onion) can help stave off the rain gods. The legend, which has Malay origins from the island’s kampung days, says that you should place both items under a tree (or possibly put them on a stick first). Even Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once cracked a joke about it during a Formula 1 interview in 2008. There’s no scientific proof, but hey, no harm in trying it if you want a sunny day.
7. Cover your mirror at night
If there’s a mirror in your bedroom, you might want to cover it before you sleep. That’s because mirrors were considered to be portals to other realms in some cultures, and uninvited spirits could enter your home that way. It’s said that covering them is also a way of protecting your soul when you sleep.
8. Don’t sleep with your feet facing the door
That’s considered bad luck because when your feet are positioned towards the door, it’s similar to how the dead are traditionally carried through open doors. According to folklore, you might also feel more restless and discontented when you do this at home.
9. The rules of a gambler
For anyone who enjoys the occasional thrill of poker or mahjong (or any game that involves money and a bit of luck), you might’ve encountered that one person at the table who insists there are certain rituals or acts that bring in luck. To attract it, players may wear pieces of clothing that are red or bring along a lucky item.
However, other things can block luck. If you’re watching a game unfold, make sure to keep your hands to yourself. The Chinese believe touching a gambler’s shoulders washes away their luck. The same goes for counting your money while you’re still gambling or leaving your seat before the game is done, even if it’s to use the bathroom. So if you’re on a winning streak, you might want to hold it.
10. Flee from uninvited guests
We’ve all heard our mums telling us to head straight to the shower after coming home. Apart from it being a good hygiene habit, there’s another reason why staying clean keeps you in good books. Any guesses? It literally means washing away spirits that may have tagged along from the outside world. Other variations include washing your feet (especially around the heel) or cleaning your face and feet three times and saying a prayer before entering your bedroom. Yes, it’s very precise.
Things get a little serious if you’re coming back from a funeral. Urban legends say you can only enter your house after washing your hands and feet and sprinkling water on your head.
11. Don’t gift clocks or shoes!
In Mandarin, the phrase “giving a clock” sounds the same as “attending a funeral”. That’s why clocks and watches are considered taboo presents in Chinese culture as they’re a reference to death. What about shoes? Also originating from Chinese beliefs, the pronunciation of the word “shoes” sounds exactly the same as the word “evil” in Mandarin. That’s why it’s not advisable to buy a new pair of kicks on the first few days of the Lunar New Year. Not to mention, gifting someone a pair of shoes is a sign the receiver will walk away from your life. We won’t take any chances!
12. Dos and don’ts when on vacation
There are plenty of number-related superstitions that find their way to our vacays. Many holiday-goers avoid staying on the 13th floor as it’s deemed bad luck. Some even go as far as staying away from flight seat numbers. Apart from that, it’s also believed that the number four attracts bad luck as it sounds a lot like “death” in Mandarin.
Before you set foot in your hotel room, it’s apparently advisable to take off your shoes and place one of them with the sole facing up so that wandering spirits won’t follow you in. Many hotels (especially old buildings) are believed to have spirits attached to hotel rooms, so you’re encouraged to knock on the door three times to announce your presence and apologise for intruding before entering.
13. We all carry a lucky charm with us
Have you ever seen the $1 Singapore coin? It’s inscribed with an octagon, which looks like a Chinese “bagua”. That’s the tool used in feng shui to learn which areas in your home or office building correlate with particular aspects of life. It’s also used as protection against negative energy and creates good fortune and harmony.
When the construction of the MRT tunnels through downtown Singapore first began, feng shui masters said that would have a negative effect on us. The cure? Carrying a “bagua” around at all times. However, since it would be impossible to get everyone across all races and religions to adhere to this Chinese belief, the design was allegedly incorporated into the $1 coin. That way, everyone would have a “bagua” on them. According to hearsay, this was the idea of none other than the late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
14. Hungry ghosts wandering the streets
During Hungry Ghost Festival, people avoid stepping on offerings or joss sticks on the ground. Stranger practices include not tapping on someone’s shoulder during that month. The explanation? Chinese believe that there are three “flames”: One on the forehead and one on each shoulder. It’s bad for these “flames” to go out, which can happen when someone pats you on the shoulder.
Another belief: you should stop swimming during the seventh month in case spirits try to drag you down. It’s basically a month when the Gates of Hell open and all the ghosts are released to visit their loved ones or wander around. So yeah, we suppose you could just stay at home to be safe.
15. The third door
Anyone who has served their National Service (NS) in Singapore would’ve heard of this infamous local superstition. The short version: A recruit who was ill went on a march through the forests of Tekong. But when it was time to do a headcount, his platoon realised he was missing. One frantic search later, his body was found under a tree – and this is where variations come in. Some say his field pack items were neatly displayed on the mud, while his internal organs were torn out and arranged beside the tree. Gnarly.
The thing is, said recruit allegedly returned to his bunk as an angry spirit and disturbed the others. He was trapped in the bunk, but upon consultation with spiritual advisors, a third door was built for the spirit to let himself out. We haven’t heard any follow-ups yet, so let’s hope he’s found peace at last.
16. Never point at the moon
We’re not sure how this superstition in Singapore came about. But as the saying goes, you shouldn’t point directly at the moon, especially a full moon, as the back of your ears will be snipped off while you’re asleep. Pretty sure this urban legend is busted with no reports of mutilated ears. But hey, if you want your little kiddos to behave, you know what to do.
17. Pissing in public is a no-no
When nature calls, you have to answer. But if there’s no toilet in sight and you happen to relieve yourself in a public space, do take note that firstly, the act is punishable by law. And secondly, you might actually be disrespecting a spirit’s home. So if you can’t really hold it in, it’s best to apologise – that’s the least you can do when you piss on someone else’s property.
Know of local superstitions or urban legends in Singapore we didn’t mention? DM us @Honeycombers!
