Not even the greatest scientific advances can overcome the waves of superstition that affect human beings. We still believe in ghosts and spirits haunting cemeteries and gloomy places. Facing this paranoia, some might head out, armed with the powers of science, and crack the enigma. If nothing is a mystery now, then we have nothing to fear, or do we?
No matter how many universal theories pop up or monstrous formulas are conjured, no one will be able to explain the mysteries of chance and death. Some philosophers believe mankind is the only living thing aware that its life will one day come to an end. The concept of finality has forced us to develop our intellect beyond other species.
“In Japanese, the pronunciation of the number 4 is ‘Shi,’ which is phonetically similar to the word death”
We all know we’ll die one day, but when? No one knows. This uncertainty goes together with not knowing what will happen in the future. Today, we are at peace at home, at school, or work, but we don’t know what will happen next year, next month, not to mention the next day. We feel safe, but a single misstep or accident can put an end to this life. Scary, right?
This agonizing uncertainty is one of the greatest fears that grips Japan. This culture has spearheaded technology and innovation for decades, but still the concept of stopping death continues to elude it. Perhaps its enormous ego and drive for perfectionism feeds this fear of a world coming to an end.
The desire to flee from death breaks all forms of logic to the extent that they avoid the number 4, just as in the Western world we avoid the number 13. Given how its sound is similar to the word “death,” the number 4 is unlucky, and they avoid it at all costs.
For instance, you cannot give four gifts to someone, because it is seen as a bad omen. In hospitals there aren’t fourth floors for the same reason and even phone numbers are devoid of the dreaded 4. Another example is when the hashi, also known as chopsticks, are placed vertically on a bowl of rice, which alludes to the incense used in funeral ceremonies. If you make this mistake, you will bring bad luck.
“This culture has spearheaded technology and innovation for decades, but still the concept of stopping death continues to elude it.”
Another new superstition that has gripped Japan is to avoid taking photographs in groups of three. It is said that if you take photographs of this kind, the person standing in the middle will die or will have terrible bad luck. These superstitions don’t stop here; apparently it is also bad luck to whistle at night. According to Japanese beliefs, if someone does it when the sun sets, it will attract evil spirits.
The list of superstitions goes on. It is said that if you wear brand new shoes on a rainy day, then every time you wear them it will always rain. This may sound absurd, but Western cultures are equally superstitious; for example, you cannot have doors facing North-West, since that is the direction of Hell.
Lastly, giving flowers to someone who is ill is acceptable in Japan and in the Western world. However, gifting a potted plant in Japan is a no-no, since it suggests that the patient will put down roots in the hospital.
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After reading about these superstitions, perhaps you’d like to know about other myths and legends that have haunted humanity for centuries, like the demons that were thought to ruin people’s lives in the Middle Ages, or the places that are thought to be the Gates of Hell.
