Superstitions and Taboos: Enduring Beliefs Among Filipinos
From mythical creatures to everyday warnings, explore the superstitions and taboos that continue to shape Filipino life.
Superstitions and taboos permeate every corner of Filipino culture—from birth and marriage to death and beyond. Passed down for generations, these beliefs reveal the nation’s deep-rooted sense of community, respect for nature, and connection to the supernatural. Whether warning about everyday mishaps or explaining the mysteries of the unseen world, these traditions remain alive in the daily lives of many Filipinos.
Why Do Superstitions Matter in Filipino Culture?
Filipino superstitions are not mere curiosities. They serve practical, social, and sometimes spiritual purposes, often acting as guides for correct behavior or as safeguards against misfortune. Many taboos and beliefs—known locally as pamahiin—find their echoes in important life events, warning of danger, promoting good fortune, or simply enforcing social harmony. Families, especially elders, transmit these traditions orally, ensuring they remain embedded in Filipino values and identity.
Main Categories of Filipino Superstitions
- Taboos and beliefs surrounding daily activities
- Funeral and wake rituals
- Marriage and family-related taboos
- Encounters with mythical creatures and spirits
Superstitions in Everyday Filipino Life
Many everyday actions are governed by cautionary beliefs—some of which might seem curious or illogical from an outsider’s perspective, but are treated seriously within Filipino families. Here are some of the most common:
- Sweeping the Floor at Night: Considered unlucky, as it’s believed to sweep away prosperity and invite poverty into the home.
- Knocking on Wood: Used to avert misfortune after expressing a negative thought; a quick knock is believed to ward off bad luck that one might have accidentally called upon by speaking ill or expressing worry.
- Sitting at the Corner of the Table: Young women are warned against this, told they might never get married if they do.
- Using a Broken Comb: Said to bring bad luck; personal grooming tools should always be intact.
- Itchy Palms: If the right palm itches, money is coming; if the left, you’ll lose money soon.
- Jumping Over Someone: Children who are jumped over by another are believed never to grow tall unless the jumper leaps back over them.
Such beliefs often provide gentle discipline, reinforce respect for elders, and encourage caution or consideration in daily conduct.
Superstitions and Taboos During Funerals and Wakes
Death is a significant event in Filipino culture, accompanied by numerous superstitions and taboos. These practices are meant to protect both the living and the deceased, and ensure that the soul’s journey is undisturbed.
- No Red or Bright Colors: Avoid wearing red or bright-colored clothes to wakes and funerals as these supposedly drive spirits away or disrespect the dead.
- Pregnant Women Should Avoid Wakes: Expectant mothers are discouraged from attending wakes to prevent complications or harm to their unborn child.
- Attend Only One Wake Per Day: Visiting more than one wake in a day is believed to bring death closer to the visitor or their family.
- Don’t Go Home Right After a Wake (Pagpag): Those leaving a wake should stop somewhere else before going home. The belief is to ‘shake off’ any spirits that may follow you.
- Avoid Attending When on Your Period: Women in menstruation are often told not to join funeral rites to avoid bad luck or health issues.
- Throwing Coins: Tossing coins in front of a funeral procession is considered a way to provide fare for the deceased in the afterlife.
- Don’t Look Back: Never look back at or return to the house after the funeral procession has begun, or else more deaths may follow in the family.
- Stepping Over Burning Grass: Mourners step on burning grass or leaves upon returning from a burial to prevent spirits from following them home.
- Handle the Casket with Care: Pallbearers avoid bumping the casket as it is believed to prevent further loss in the family.
- Pinch Sneezers at Wakes: Anyone who sneezes during a wake should be pinched to counteract the invitation to the spirit world.
- Keep Vigil: At least one person should stay awake during the night to prevent evil creatures or spirits from disturbing the body.
- No Malunggay Dishes: Serving malunggay (moringa) is prohibited as stripping the leaves symbolizes stripping away life and foreshadows more deaths.
- Avoid Pancit (Noodles): Noodle dishes are not served at wakes, as they are believed to prolong mourning—though they may be eaten after the wake to bless the family with long life.
- Breaking Plates: Family members may break a plate or ceramics to symbolically break the cycle of death.
- Predicting Future Deaths with Pots: Throwing a clay pot at soft ground after burial—if it doesn’t break, more deaths are believed to follow soon.
Marriage and Family-Related Superstitions
Weddings and major family occasions are governed by their own set of taboos and omens reflecting concerns about prosperity, harmony, and familial respect.
- Sukob: Siblings (or close relatives) should not marry in the same year, or a wedding should not be held in the same year as a family member’s death. To do otherwise is believed to result in misfortune or loss for the couple and family.
- Dropping the Veil: If the bridal veil falls during the ceremony, it is seen as a bad omen for the marriage’s future.
- Gift-giving with Wallets/Purses: If you are giving a wallet or purse, placing money inside it is said to ensure good fortune for the receiver.
- Breaking Glasses, Plates, or Ceramics: Performed to keep bad luck at bay or break a cycle of tragedy.
Mythical Creatures and Spirits in Filipino Folklore
A significant sphere of Filipino superstitions revolves around encounters with the spirit world and mythical beings. These stories both entertain and serve as cautionary tales, often employed by elders to guide or discipline children.
| Creature | Description | Associated Superstitions |
|---|---|---|
| Kapre | Tall, dark, cigar-smoking giant often found atop trees. | Attracted to beautiful women; can visit in dreams or bring mischief if their trees are disturbed. |
| Tikbalang | Half-horse, half-human creature said to haunt forests and mountains. | Plays tricks on travelers, causing them to lose their way. |
| Tiyanak | Shape-shifting monstrous baby who lures victims by crying like a human infant. | Thought to represent lost or unbaptized souls, bringing misfortune to those who encounter them. |
| Nuno sa Punso | Dwarf-like being living in mounds or anthills. | One must say “Tabi-tabi po” as a sign of respect before passing places they might inhabit, or risk being cursed. |
| Aswang / Manananggal / Tiktik | Shape-shifting, flesh-eating monsters, often targeting pregnant women. | Feared in rural areas, blamed for illnesses or unexplained deaths; believed to snatch unborn children by using long, thin tongues. |
| Diwata | Nature spirits or deities said to be beautiful, compassionate protectors of forests and mountains. | Seeing one may bring good fortune; often invoked for blessings or protection. |
Tabi-Tabi Po and Other Everyday Rituals
Respecting unseen dwellers is a pervasive theme:
- Tabi-tabi po: A phrase uttered when passing by mounds, large trees, or remote areas believed to be the homes of spirits or dwarves. This is a way of asking permission and showing respect so as not to offend or disturb supernatural beings.
- Salubong: Unique homecoming or greeting rituals, believed to ensure all members return safely and bring good fortune with them.
- Bawal magwalis ng gabi (No sweeping at night): Sweeping after dark is said to sweep away wealth and invite bad spirits.
Superstitions on Gifts and Exchange
- Giving Knives or Sharp Objects: If you must gift a knife, ask for a coin in exchange so as not to “cut” the relationship.
- Empty Wallet or Purse: Never gift an empty wallet. Place even a small coin or bill to ensure prosperity for the receiver.
- Rocking an Empty Cradle: Said to summon evil spirits or invite tragedy.
Why These Beliefs Endure
Superstitions in the Philippines endure for a variety of reasons:
- Cultural Transmission: Elders pass these beliefs to younger generations as learned wisdom and warnings.
- Social Harmony: Observing superstitions often maintains peace and respect within communities.
- Coping Mechanism: In times of uncertainty or adversity, these rituals offer comfort, order, and a sense of control.
- Entertainment and Identity: Tales of supernatural creatures connect Filipinos with their rich storytelling traditions and shared identity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do Filipinos still practice these superstitions today?
A: Yes, many Filipinos—especially in rural areas—still observe superstitions in daily life, family events, and rituals, although the degree of belief may vary by generation and individual.
Q: Are Filipino superstitions unique compared to other Asian cultures?
A: While some superstitions share similarities with those found elsewhere in Asia, many beliefs, especially about mythical creatures, are uniquely Filipino and have deep local roots.
Q: What happens if I accidentally break a taboo?
A: While strict observers may impose corrective rituals (such as knocking on wood or saying specific phrases), most modern Filipinos do not consider an accidental breach catastrophic. However, respect for traditions is encouraged, especially among elders.
Q: Why are there so many funeral superstitions?
A: Many funeral rites and taboos are about protecting the living from spiritual harm or misfortune. They also serve to honor the dead and maintain family cohesion in times of loss.
Q: How should outsiders behave in Filipino communities to respect superstitions?
A: Acknowledging and respecting these beliefs—such as saying “tabi-tabi po” in rural areas or following local wake customs—shows sensitivity and appreciation for Filipino culture.
Conclusion
Filipino superstitions and taboos embody the country’s rich history, multicultural heritage, and profound spiritual imagination. Whether encountered as warnings, stories, or rituals, they persist as reminders of the collective wisdom, identity, and creativity of the Filipino people.
