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HKD 010/1
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FROM: R A J Bunten
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 12 June 1992
PS/Mr Patten
CHINESE SOLECISMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
1. My researches have dug up the following trivia which may be of interest.
NUMBERS
Even numbers are YIN (female, negative), odd numbers are YANG (male, positive ). In Taoist theory there should be no distinction made between the two but in fact odd (YANG) numbers are preferred. The most auspicious number is nine the double-yang (3x3). Hence three or five sticks of incense are used in temples etc, and in the Kow-tow the forehead should srike the ground a multiple of three times.
COLOURS
-White. The colour of mourning. Although a combination of blue and yellow is often worn by ladies at funerals. -Red. A very auspicious colour. Worn by brides and also prevalent in religious ceremonies. -Yellow. Associated with sin.
"Yellow books" are
pornographic, so (mildly) is the yellow press of evening newspapers in Hong Kong.
-Green hats are to be avoided.
be cuckolded.
FOOD AND DINING MANNERS
"To wear a green hat" is to
-When eating fish it is important not to turn the fish over to eat the reverse side. This will cause a boat to be over-turned. Rather the bones should be removed before the underside is consumed.
-When eating a whole chicken the head should not be pointed at any individual. This means that the person concerned will receive the sack.
-When eating both one's hands should be kept in sight at all times.
-Fried squid should not be served to guests. "to fry squid " means to get the sack. The origin of this is obscure but it is possibly that the squid when fried looks like a rolled-up bed-roll.
-Many foods are supposed to have aphrodisiac effects, but a few are said to reduce potency. The Shanghainese hairy
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