Superstitions

Purpose：Inform
Audience：Demos
Tone：Serious
Tentative main idea：Superstitions

Since a long time ago,people already have belief in supernatural powers. There are many questions about superstitions in every country and there are also many superstitions in Taiwan. Most people think some superstitions are bad and bring bad luck to you, but some can bless and protest you.
People believe some superstitions are about the ghost. When July 1st the door of ghost is opened, you had better not to go outside at night and when you feel strange and bad atmosphere you just run or you will see them. In the month of ghost, you can’t say anything about the ghost or you will be attracted; whistling at night attracts Ghosts. You can’t swim in the river and sea in lunar July or water ghost will catch you to be a scapegoat.
There are many taboos and superstitions in Taiwan. An expectant mother can’t take scissors to cut any thing because it’s believed to be bed to her. It is not to advised to give people clocks as gifts because “giving clocks” in Chinese sounds like “attending a funeral.” There is no fourth floor in the hospital and hotel because number four sounds like death. There are also many other superstitions. For example, it brings bad luck to open an umbrella in the house, and writing names with a red pen will shorten your life. There are indeed many taboos and superstitions in Taiwanese culture.
Some superstitions are about time and occasions. When you want to live in the room in the hotel first you must knock on the door, and say “sorry, I bother you. You cannot say goodbye at the hospital or the dead soul will be attracted. You fingers can’t point the moon otherwise your ear will be cut. When people want to hold a wedding ceremony or a funeral, they will choose a lucky day. When you at special occasion don’t talk through one’s hat or you will tout for misfortune. The Taiwanese think time is very important to give the wedding ceremony and funeral.
People always want to be protected and have good fortune from ancient times to the present. People are afraid of the evil spirit, they think the ghost is fearful. There are also some taboos about custom therefore people obey and respect them in Taiwanese culture.