Hofish Culture - Taboos & Superstition

Over the centuries of existence, the Hofish people have developed their own unique culture along with sharing common practices to that of its neighbors.

Hoffland(s) is a Buddhist nation, with our primary teachings stemming from the Theravada branch. However, Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Folk Religion are commonly practiced together, along with Theravada teachings, allowing for a unique "Hofish Buddhism" stance.

Hofish culture is usually religiously, symbolically, historically and creatively practiced. For instance, Hoffland(s) follows the principles of Feng Shui, which heavily influences the architecture of buildings, layout of cities, construction of homes and the lifestyles of people.

Hofflands celebrates many holidays and religious festivals, with most being derived from legends, folklore and historic events. These festivals can be celebrated for one day or multiple days continuously.

Taboos:

In Hofflands, you must never pick up a dropped knife or pair of scissors. Instead, have someone else do it for you. If you live alone, tough luck. It is believed that picking up a sharp object you yourself dropped invites bad omen and negative energy to you and your home. Having someone else do it cancels it.

In Hofflands, you must never go into someone’s house uninvited. Even if you are outside talking to the host, it is compulsory that they say “Please come in” to officially invite you in. The guest must follow behind the host. It is believed that upon going in uninvited, you will leave whilst carrying with you the problems of the host’s house to your own home.

Whilst drinking with another person in Hofflands, both of you must start your time by drinking the same drink at the same time. This is only applicable to alcoholic beverages. This taboo is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages of Hofflands, as backstabbers and assassins would often kill their targets with poisoned wine - a more civil and “friendly” way of killing. They will always let the targets drink first as to not be poisoned thus drinking after someone had started is seen as very rude. Alternatively, drinking before someone else has started is seen as act of ignorance.

In Hofflands, you must never wear shoes into your house. Though a very clever way of keeping your house clean, it is believed that if you wore shoes into your home, you are using your physical existence to carry the misfortunes of outside into your spiritually bordered home. The same rule applies to walking outside and entering without shoes on.

In Hofflands, you must never eat food offered in Spirit Bowls. It is said that you will be cursed with bad luck and eventually death afterwards. The food offered to the lost souls are filled with Ying Energy, thus eating them will make you a spirit, resulting in death. However, eating food that have already been offered to deities and known spirits (i.e. ancestors) will do you no harm.

In Hofflands, you must never sing under a tree. This is based on the mythological character, Genderu, a demon who lured young men to her cave by using her beautiful voice to sing them into submission. She would also sing men to sleep under trees and eat them on the spot. It is believed that if you sing under a tree, you will be plagued with a great burden.

In Hofflands, you must never whistle near or at a grave site. This is seen as a disrespectful act towards the resting spirit, who will haunt you whilst you sleep, ensuring that you are distracted from a good night’s rest.

In Hofflands, you must not have mirrors facing the main door. This is believed to create a relationship deterioration within the people of your household.

In Hofflands, you must never plant chili peppers within your the vicinity of your home. This is said to create heat within the house, resulting in arguments and fights.

In Hofflands, you must always make an offering to outside spirits before starting a party or an event. If not, spirits will curse your event with misfortune. By paying your respects to them, you are gaining their permission to blast loud music into the night, sing lively with your awful voice, etc. Offerings consist of food and drinks on a bamboo or wooden slate placed outside of the building's front way. It is lit with incense and often decorated with spirit totems and flowers.

In Hofflands, you must not carry Ghost Money, paper money burnt as an offering to spirits, with you. It said that you will be a target to spirits who will harm you. Different stories range from being in financial trouble to being robbed. Though, you better watch out and search your things carefully as it is also a fun way to curse someone whom you despise. If you happen to find one with you that was placed by another person, you have two choices. If you are able to burn it (in the comforts of your own home), burn it immediately outside your area (outside your main door or gate). If you cannot, you can only undo the curse by passing it on to someone else. You should not throw it away as the spirits cannot get the money (as it is in its physical form) thus you will cursed until you find it and burn it.

In Hofflands, you must always finish your plate, making sure that each grain of rice or each piece of the meal had been fully eaten. It is said that by having a plate of leftovers, one will live their next life in poverty; starving away as the food they refused to show gratitude to in the past life became the sole necessities they needed in the present one. Each grain of rice would collect over the years thus after you reincarnate, you will be deprived of food and a healthy lifestyle.

In Hofflands, you must never leave teapots unclean. It is said that ghosts can emerge from the tea leaves inside during the night and bring bad luck and bad omens. Always clean your teapots after the daily morning tea! (See the Tale of the Teapot Spirit)

In Hofflands, you should not shower whilst wearing jewelry as this was considered a sign of prostitution in the Middle Ages. Likewise, one should not swim with jewelry on either as not only does it show people that you are a prostitute, you are also at risk of losing said jewelry.

It is considered extremely unlucky to eat chestnuts on New Year's Day as chestnuts are commonly eaten during Shirado, a festival that takes place during the end of the year. Shirado marks the end of the year and its events, with the consumption of chestnuts seen as act of good luck and good riddance. Thus, the eating of chestnuts on New Years is considered to be taboo as eating one is like wishing for the New Year to end quickly, a rude act which would result with many, many events of misfortune.

When having tea, one must ensure that they must have at least had five sips before finishing the entire cup. This is only applicable to tea, the drink of gods, kings and scholars. The word for longevity, "Hagoji", consists of "ha" (feminine), and "goji" (five heads - hydra). It is believed that taking less than five sips symbolizes a short life, thus one should not rush to finish their cups.