Dear All,
Here's some intro on the Cantonese traditional customs (taboos).
For those who cant read it, pls perform a download from the attachement for the word copy.
广东民间禁忌 (Cantonese Traditional Customs/Taboos)
正月初一日祀神后出行,须向喜神、财神、贵神方位而去,忌向鹤神方位行,避免不利。
On the 1st day of Lunar 1st Month, after paying respect to their home Deities, the Cantonese will carry-on with their visiting.
Once they step-out from the house, they will have to face/move towards the direction of Deity-of-Happiness, Deity-of-Wealth and Deity-of-Prosperity and not towards the direction of Deity-of-the- Crane, this is to avoid any unlucky issues occurred on that day.
正月初三日（俗称赤口）,忌外出探亲访友。
On the 3rd day of Lunar 1st Month, the Cantonese will avoid going-out, cos this day is believed to be the Day-of-Conflict (once go-out, people will easily get annoyed or being-irritated) .
春节元旦祀神时,忌童子口出不吉祥之言。
On the night of ushering the Lunar New Year (paying respect to the home Deities), parents/adults will prevent children from saying any unlucky or crude messages.
是日忌扫地向门外扫出和泼水出户外。
On New Year Day, no sweeping or splashing of water is allowed.
清明节,忌妇女扫墓。
During Qing Ming Festival, ladies are not allowed to do Tombs-Visiting.
七月烧衣节,祭品中忌无设龙眼。
During the 7th Month, among all the offerings, Longans must be included.
十二月祭灶日,忌妇女祀灶神。
While paying respect to Deity of the Kitchen during the Winter Period, ladies are not allowed to get involved.
年尾开油镬煮煎堆等食物,是年新丧之家不能举行。
If there’s someone in the family pass-on in that year, no cooking of New Year Stuffs/Cookies/ Traditional Food is allowed.
嫁娶的禁忌很多 (Taboos on Cantonese Wedding)
双方三代有疯疾遗传。
If there someone in the family (among 3 Generations) suffered from Mental-illnesses, the Wedding will not be approved by either-side.
忌新娘不贞,贻笑亲友。
Guys can only marry a Virgin Lady.
忌新娘是日来月經,有则改期嫁娶。
Wedding day shall avoid the week where the Bride is having “period”. If so, the Wedding will have to postpone to another auspicious day.
丧家的禁忌 (Taboos on Cantonese Funeral)
孝子居丧时期笑不露齿面不现笑容。
During the mourning period, the children of the pass-on shall not joke-around or show any smiling faces to anyone.
守丧三年未满忌娶妻。
During the 3 years of mourning, no marriages shall be arranged.
灵位两旁的纸扎妹娣,孩童不可乱玩。
During the Funeral period, no one is to play or making-fun of the paper-dolls that being placed beside the coffin.
死者死后三周（二十一天）俗称“回魂”时期,家人须躲避,否则会撞着鬼差不利。
On the 21st day of the pass-on, all other family members are to avoid staying at home as the folks believed that, on this day, the soul of the pass-on will returned home with the accompany of the Ghostly-Soldiers and if anyone will to see/meet with the Ghostly-Soldiers, the person will get bad-luck.
丧家挂上亲友挽联、祭帐,如有跌下,如有跌下,忌再挂上,否则有发生重丧。
If any of the Funeral scrolls or couplets dropped after hanging, these items shall not be hung back again.
孝子居丧期,忌犯房事。
During mourning period, no sexual-actions shall be practised.
生育的禁忌 (Taboos on Giving-birth)
生育的禁忌 (Taboos on Giving-birth)
怀孕四个月,不要与邻近孩童玩耍,以致患病,被人“拜四眼”（被人指责）发生流产。
On the 4th Month of Pregnancy, the pregnant lady shall not played or joke with any children, this is to avoid people from making curses to the pregnant lady and resulting in miscarriage.
孕妇忌吃蟹,有横生逆产之险。
Pregnant ladies shall avoid eating crabs as to request for smooth-delivery of the babies.
孕妇忌在母家生产,否则于母家不利。
Pregnant ladies shall avoid giving-birth at their parents’ place, this is to avoid bringing bad-lucks to the parents or the whole family.
孕妇忌夜出或入庙,恐受邪侵。
Pregnant ladies shall avoid going out at night or visiting Temples (This refer to all Dialect Clans).
产后忌生客入房,致婴孩啼声不止。
After giving-birth, try to avoid any strangers from entering the room when the baby is resting, this is to avoid the baby from non-stop crying.
关于行的禁忌 (Taboos on Traveling)
忌晨早撞僧尼。
While traveling, try not to meet-up with any Monks or Nuns.
忌“行通济”（桥名）时走回头路。
While walking on the streets/bridges, try to avoid turning-back or make any “U”-turn.
忌远行出门时忘祭路神。
Always remember to pay respect to the Road Deities before setting-off.
