Traditional Beliefs

Traditional beliefs are something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of people for a long time without changing. But is it important for people to keep the ways of culture and pass them on to their children?

Taiwan folk beliefs have roots in polytheism, all kinds of seasonal customs and festivals. Through these customs and festivals, the people of Taiwan are able to add enjoyment to their daily lives, maintain cultural identity with friends as well as relatives, and remove doubts or ease difficulties through religious rituals.

The elders give children and unmarried relatives red envelopes with lucky money inside to signify good fortune. The amount of the cash inside the red envelope is normally an even number because the odd number is considered unlucky. The act of giving the red envelope brings good luck to the person who receives it, and also to the one who gives it out. What this means is that the more red envelopes you give to others, the more good luck will come to you. There is also an ancient belief that giving the red envelop symbolizes gaining a long life for the person who gives it. The effect of such practice is believed to be stronger when one gives more red envelopes to young people.

There are also some superstitions and taboos associated in our country. One should try to avoid breaking things, like bowls and cups during Chinese New Year because breaking any of the above is considered unlucky and is said to result in the break-up of fortune or family unity. Do not use your fingers to point to the moon; otherwise, your ears will become rotten the near future. When I was child, I did not believe the story. An inspiration flashed through my mind suddenly, so I tried and my ears became rotten each other day. What a miraculous happening was!

Some of the old beliefs are obsolete while some of them give a feel-good factor and others are fun to do. However, it is a merit to pass them to the younger generations as long as they are taken or followed in the proper perspective without really attaching a very serious and critical importance to do them. An old saying has it well, “Better to believe the worst and be pleasantly surprised than to be optimistic and learn the worst.”