Today is Friday the 13th.  Are you superstitious?  I’m not (but if I saw this guy in a dark alley I wouldn’t pause to consider whether or not I believed he would be benevolent…)

Just to prove how un-superstitious I am today I actually tried to break a few mirrors, walk under a few ladders, step on a few cracks (sorry, mom) and open an umbrella or two indoors.  Finding a black cat (or any cat?) here in Xining to cross my path was trickier than I thought it would be.

If I were a superstitious man I still wouldn’t be worried about today being Friday the 13th because I’m in China.  Thirteen isn’t an unlucky number in China.  But the numbers 4 and 7 are (unless you find the idea of death "lucky").  I did a little online research to see what other interesting Chinese superstitions and/taboos there were out there.  While I doubt many people still believe in most of these things, they are still interesting.  Here are the some interesting ones I found:

• The luckiest number is eight because its Chinese word also means "prosper"
• Wearing a mustache is considered bad luck.  (Bad luck or just bad taste?  I’m kidding!)
• Chinese custom forbids the clipping of one’s toe or fingernails at night as it is believed that this may cause a visit from the dead or a ghost.  (That explains why Anna’s Dora Kitchen keeps mysteriously singing Spanish songs in the middle of the night!)
• During the Spring Festival, Chinese custom prohibits the use of the broom for three days from New Years Day, as it is thought that the use of it will sweep away the good luck the new year brings.
• A concave navel means a prosperous life.  (I just wish I knew what they meant by "concave".  Innie, ya think?)

If you like these you can check out more customs, traditions and superstitions at this site, or here.

Good luck!  (Not that I’m superstitious…)