Posted: 20 August 2012 1659 hrs
SINGAPORE: Whenever Christina Tang is overseas and
returns to her hotel room, she always knocks on the door before
entering even if she is the only occupant.
The 25-year-old Singaporean marketing executive said knocking on
the door is meant to seek permission from the "good brothers" --
spirits that might have taken over her room while she was away --
for her to stay over for the night.
"It's just like visiting a friend. You would definitely not barge
in without the courtesy of a doorbell or a knock on the door,
right? To me, it's just respect."
Singapore might be one of Asia's wealthiest and most well-educated
societies, but quirky superstitions are part of daily life in the
predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state.
Superstition comes to the fore during the month-long Hungry Ghost
Festival, which began on Friday.
Chinese superstition holds that the gates of hell are opened for
spirits to wander across the mortal realm before they return to the
underworld.
During the month, property sales fall because it is considered
inauspicious to make major purchases, and people refrain from
staying out too late to avoid otherworldly encounters.
Noisy streetside shows called "getai" featuring professional
singers are staged to entertain the visiting spirits -- but don't
sit on the empty front seats because they're reserved for the
invisible guests.
Traffic jams are typically caused not only by crumpled cars
obstructing traffic but also by drivers slowing down to take note
of the license plate numbers so that they can bet on them in the
hugely popular four-digit lottery.
Having bird droppings land on your head is also seen as a good omen
for gamblers because it's so rare for one to be hit in the concrete
jungle.
A tree in a western suburb has attracted a following due to the
likeness of a monkey on its bark, which believers say resembles
that of a deity from Chinese mythology.
The "Monkey Tree" drew so much attention at one point that
authorities had to explain to a local newspaper that the visage was
a "natural" response by the tree to various "minor accidents over
the years".
Even national icons are not immune to superstition.
Operators of the bayside Singapore Flyer, said to be the world's
largest ferris wheel, reversed its spinning direction in 2008 so
that it revolves towards the financial district and not the
sea.
Masters of feng shui -- the ancient practice of balancing energies
in any given space to attract good fortune -- advised them that the
wheel's revolution should bring fortune into Singapore, not suck
the good luck away.
Superstitious practices are often mistakenly associated with
religion in Singapore, where many Chinese are followers of Buddhism
or Taoism, said Chung Kwang Tong, a high priest with the local
Taoist Federation.
"The religion itself does not have such practices," he told AFP. "A
lot of them will just try because to them there is no harm in
trying."
Ang Swee Hoon, a sociologist at the National University of
Singapore, said even well-educated people resort to superstitious
practices because of the highly competitive environment in
Singapore.
"Hence, to get a leg up, Singaporeans engage in more activities
that will give them an advantage. Superstitious behaviours
seemingly offer that," Ang said. "So, instead of superstitions
being irrational, it may be perceived as rational."
Ang said the opening of two massive casinos in 2010 further boosted
superstitious practices in gambling-mad Singapore, which already
has horse racing, sweepstakes, numbers games and sports betting
operations.
Red underwear is seen as sexy in many countries, but to Singaporean
gamblers, it's just another way of attracting good fortune because
red is regarded as a lucky colour among Chinese.
Gamblers and financial traders often wear red undergaments before
placing a bet or playing the stock market.
"Gamblers are generally a more superstitious lot," Ang said.
- AFP/ck
