8 Weird Superstitions We’ve All Heard Growing Up As Malaysians

Growing up in Malaysia, I’m sure many of us have fallen for the various lies and superstitions our parents, grandparents, aunties, or even our uncles have told us in order to behave accordingly. Looking back, some of them may sound completely ridiculous, nevertheless they were successful in fooling us. Here are 8 weird superstitions we’ve all heard of growing up.

1. Don’t Write People’s Name In Red

Apparently by writing people’s name in red, or signing in red, it’s as if you’re cursing them to death.

2. Wash Yourself With Water After Coming Home From A Funeral

We’ve often been told to wash ourselves clean with water or ‘flower water’ after coming home from a wake or funeral, if not, ghosts will follow us home to haunt us. Uh… no thanks

3. Don’t Sit On Pillows

Parents would always warn us not to sit on pillows or your butt will get blisters.

4. Don’t Leave Your Fingernails Long

Superstition has it that if we leave our fingernails long, tiny demons will hang from our nails. Really now?

5. Don’t Play Hide And Seek At Night

To stop us from playing hide and seek at night, our parents used to tell us that we can’t play hide and seek at night or we will disappear forever, apparently kidnapped by ghosts.

6. Must Finish All Your Rice

In order to ensure we do not waste food, our parents used to lie about how we should finish all our rice and not leave any wastes, if not, our future husband or wife will have a lot of pimples (the same as the amount of leftovers you have on your plate).

7. Don’t Comb Your Hair After Midnight

Apparently if you comb your hair past midnight, you will risk seeing a ghost in the mirror. Sounds similarly to the Bloody Mary and Halloween superstition, no?

8. Don’t Step Or Sit On Books

I’m sure you’ve heard of this at least once or twice in your life. “Do not step or sit on books or you will become stupid and score bad for tests”. It was seen as bad luck.

How many of these superstitions have you heard of? What are some other superstitions you’ve come across while growing up? Share with us on our Facebook page!