Asian Superstitions to Know Before You Visit: Country Guide

Quick answer: Superstitions in Asia vary by country, but a few come up again and again: avoid the number 4, never stand chopsticks upright in rice, do not write a person's name in red ink, and be careful with whistling or sweeping at night. These are beliefs, not laws, and many younger people take them lightly. Knowing them helps you avoid awkward moments at work, at dinner and in your new home.

How to use this guide

We are the Asia Internship Program team, and we wrote this for students and young professionals heading to Asia for an internship or a trip. Beliefs differ between families, ages and regions, so treat everything below as "many people" and "some older people", not "everyone". If you are unsure, watch what your colleagues do and ask politely.

Superstitions you will meet in many countries

The number 4

In Chinese, Japanese and Korean, the word for four sounds like (or is the same as) the word for death. Many buildings in Hong Kong and South Korea skip the fourth floor, and some Korean lifts show "F" instead of 4. Similar avoidance is reported in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. As an intern, this matters for gifts: avoid sets of four, such as four cups or four cakes.

Chopsticks upright in rice

Standing chopsticks in a bowl of rice looks like incense sticks at a funeral or an offering for the dead. This is a taboo in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam. Lay your chopsticks across the bowl or on the rest instead.

Writing a name in red ink

Red is lucky in many places, but a name written in red is linked to death. In Korea, people often say this goes back to execution records and shamanic curses. In Chinese-speaking communities, it is linked to the old practice of writing condemned prisoners' names in red. Use blue or black pens when writing a colleague's name, a card or a sign-in sheet. Official red stamps are fine.

Whistling at night

In Japan, some people say whistling after dark calls spirits, and some older sayings mention snakes or thieves. In Indonesia and Malaysia, many people also say it invites ghosts. If you share your home with others, keeping the whistling for daytime is considerate anyway.

Sweeping at night and during Lunar New Year

Many people in Indonesia and the Philippines say sweeping at night sweeps good luck out of the house. In Vietnam, sweeping during Tet is avoided for the same reason. If your housemates ask you to wait until morning, now you know why.

Country by country

Japan

Beyond chopsticks and the number 4, two beliefs come up often. Some people avoid sleeping with the head pointing north, because the deceased are laid that way at funerals. Some also say cutting nails at night is unlucky, partly because the Japanese word for "night nails" sounds like "ending one's life". Neither is a workplace rule, but they explain some surprised looks. Our Japan internship page covers life and work in Tokyo.

South Korea

The red-ink name taboo is probably the most useful one for interns. Four is also avoided in lift buttons and gifts. Read more in our guide to South Korean traditions and on our South Korea page.

Taiwan and Hong Kong

Chinese-origin gift taboos apply in both places. Many people avoid giving clocks (the word sounds like "the end"), umbrellas and pears (both sound like "separation"), shoes (sounds like "evil") and white flowers (linked to funerals). In Hong Kong, many towers skip floors with a 4. For workplace manners in Taiwan, see our guide to business etiquette in Taiwan.

Singapore and Malaysia

Both countries have large Chinese communities who observe Ghost Month in the seventh lunar month. Many people avoid swimming, staying out late alone and stepping on food or paper offerings left on the street. In Malaysia, you may also hear that sitting on a pillow is unlucky. Reasons given include getting boils, and that bottoms do not belong where heads rest.

Thailand

You will see small spirit houses outside homes, shops, hotels and offices. People believe they give the land's guardian spirits a place to live, and they leave offerings such as flowers and drinks. Do not touch, move or sit on one. Treat it as you would a small shrine.

Vietnam

Around Tet, many families care about who enters the home first after midnight, a custom called xong dat. A cheerful, successful first visitor is thought to bring luck. If you are invited to a home at Tet, ask your host about the customs before you go.

Indonesia

Many Indonesians avoid sweeping and whistling at night. These beliefs, called pamali, are often passed on by parents and grandparents. They are usually shared with a smile, so a gentle question is welcome.

The Philippines

When walking through forests, near rivers or in other places where spirits may live, many Filipinos say "tabi-tabi po", which means "excuse me, please step aside". After a wake, some people stop somewhere before going home, a custom called pagpag. If you sweep at night, some say you should not sweep dirt out of the front door.

India

You will often see a lemon and chilies strung on a thread above doors and shop entrances to ward off bad luck. Many families avoid cutting nails after dark. When giving money at weddings and other events, an amount ending in 1, such as 101, is traditional. Check with a colleague before your first festival.

Simple rules for interns and visitors

• Do not write names in red, and use blue or black pens.
• Rest chopsticks across the bowl, never upright in rice.
• Skip gifts in fours, and avoid clocks, umbrellas, pears and white flowers in Chinese-speaking communities.
• Keep whistling and sweeping to daytime, especially if you share your home with others.
• Respect spirit houses and street offerings.
• If a colleague mentions a belief, listen. You do not have to believe it, just be kind about it.

FAQs

Do I have to follow Asian superstitions as a visitor or intern?

No. Nobody expects a visitor to follow every belief, and many younger people treat them as habits or jokes. Still, a few small choices, like not writing a colleague's name in red or not sticking chopsticks upright in rice, show respect and cost you nothing.

What is the most common superstition across Asia?

The unlucky number 4 is probably the most widespread. In Chinese, Japanese and Korean the word for four sounds like or matches the word for death, so many buildings skip the fourth floor and some people avoid the number in gifts and addresses.

Is it bad luck to whistle at night in Asia?

Many people in Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia say whistling after dark invites spirits, and some older Japanese sayings link it to snakes or thieves. It is a belief, not a rule, but keeping quiet at night near homes is polite anyway.

What gifts should I avoid giving in Asia?

In Chinese-speaking communities, many people avoid clocks, umbrellas, pears, shoes and white flowers, because their names sound like words for ending, separation, evil or funerals. Gifts in sets of four are also avoided by many people. A box of fruit other than pears or a small treat from your home country is a safer choice.

When is Ghost Month and what should I avoid?

Ghost Month, including the Hungry Ghost Festival, falls in the seventh lunar month and is observed in many Chinese communities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. Many people avoid swimming, traveling alone at night and stepping on street offerings, and some avoid whistling after dark.

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