Taboo - Eternal Scenery: Chinese Folk Culture (Color Illustration Edition)

Author: Yun Zhongtian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features:
Chinese people have always paid great attention to their daily mannerisms, striving to present a composed and polite image. We emphasize the beauty of appearance, with elders often teaching the younger generation to "stand like a pine, sit like a bell, and walk like the wind." When standing, one should stand tall with a straight back and tucked-in abdomen, keeping both hands naturally hanging by the sides. Avoid placing them between the ribs, behind the back, or crossing them over the chest, as these postures may appear aggressive or carefree.
When sitting, one must sit upright with the eyes forward, avoiding crossing "dragon legs" or propping one's chin in the hand. Also, refrain from picking one's ears or nose, or swaying the body forward and backward or side to side, which may give the impression of restlessness. Walking should be steady, as walking with "outward eight" or "inward eight" feet, or in a slanting, uneven manner, is generally considered unattractive.
These standards of posture—both standing and sitting—have been followed by people to this day. Such behavioral norms play a positive role in reflecting good manners. People also have taboos regarding urination and defecation. When urinating, one must not face people, doors, or graves, as it is believed that graves are the resting places of spirits. Defecating there may offend the spirits and lead to illness. In some folk traditions, it is also taboo to use written paper to clean one's buttocks after defecation, as it may invite eye problems. This act is considered disrespectful to Confucius, a revered figure in Chinese culture, as writing is associated with scholarship. These taboos are, in fact, a form of civilized behavior.
Sweeping is a daily task, but there are taboos associated with it. Some believe that sweeping from the outside inward will sweep away wealth, while others argue that sweeping from the inside outward is necessary to remove bad luck. It is taboo to place two brooms together, as it may signify family misfortune. Similarly, it is forbidden to stack two chairs together during cleaning, as chair legs are often turned upside down during funerals. Bamboo brooms are generally used only for courtyards, but they may also be used in living rooms during funerals to "remove impurities."
The taboo of "not talking about ghosts or thieves under the light" was common in old Beijing. The belief was that mentioning ghosts would attract more ghosts, and talking about thieves would invite thieves. However, people enjoyed ghost stories at night, so they devised ways to ward off evil. When speaking of ghosts, they would place the "Imperial Calendar" on the table, allowing them to speak freely. To address the taboo of talking about thieves, they would invert a teacup on the table, which was believed to deter "ceilings" (thieves).
In many places, it is taboo to look in the mirror at night, especially for women, as it is said that doing so may reveal ghosts. In some parts of Shanxi, it is forbidden for a nephew to get a haircut at his uncle's house. If it is necessary, the nephew must be taken outside the main gate to a public road, beyond the uncle's property, to break the taboo.
Nails should not be cut at night, as it is believed that doing so may make one suspect of theft. However, there is a solution: after cutting, one must tap the scissors three times on the foot, and everything will be fine. If a child's button falls off, it must be taken off and sewn back on. If the button is sewn on while the child is wearing the garment, the child may become mute. To break this taboo, the child is made to bite a piece of thread, and no harm will come.
During weddings, especially on Chinese New Year's Eve, it is taboo to break tableware. If a piece is accidentally broken, the (fragments) must be thrown into a river immediately to signify "harmony," or one may say " (nian nian) " (peace year after year), which is a homophone for "" (broken), to break the taboo.
When children lose their baby teeth, they must not be thrown away randomly. The upper tooth should be placed under the bed, and the lower tooth on the roof. The teeth should be thrown while standing on one leg to ensure that the new teeth grow straight and white. Some households believe that children who cry at night are inauspicious, so instead of seeking medical attention or finding the cause, they secretly write a note and stick it on a bridge. The note reads: "Sky Emperor, Earth Emperor, my family has a night-crying child. May passersby read this and let him sleep soundly through the night."
These so-called "taboo-breaking" practices are (superstitious) behaviors rooted in low productivity and ignorance. In reality, the true "taboo-breaking" lies in science. As scientific thinking becomes more deeply ingrained in society, feudal superstitions are gradually fading away, and taboos will continue to decrease, eventually disappearing altogether.