The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is home to a staggering 800 identified superstitions. This rich and complex tapestry of beliefs, known locally as pamahiin, is a fascinating blend of indigenous animism, pre-colonial folklore, Spanish-Catholic traditions, and Chinese influences. These beliefs govern everyday life, from how to build a house to what to eat on New Year’s Eve, offering guidance, protection, and a deep connection to the spiritual world. Here are 100 of the most enduring superstitions that shape Filipino culture.
1
Pagpag (Shaking Off Spirits)
After attending a wake or funeral, one must not go straight home. You should first stop somewhere else (a “pagpag”) to shake off the spirit of the deceased, so it doesn’t follow you.
2
Tabi-Tabi Po (Excuse Me)
When passing by anthills, large trees, or secluded areas, always say “Tabi-tabi po” (Excuse me, sir/ma’am) to avoid offending or stepping on unseen spirits like duwende (dwarfs).
3
No Sweeping at Night
Sweeping the floor at night is said to sweep away your good fortune and money. If you must clean, gather the dirt in a corner and dispose of it the next morning.
4
Sukob (Marrying in the Same Year)
It is forbidden for siblings to marry within the same calendar year. Doing so is “sukob,” which is believed to divide the luck between the two couples, leading to misfortune or death.
5
Cutting Nails at Night
Never cut your fingernails or toenails after dark. It is believed to bring bad luck or an early death to your parents or a close family member.
6
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means you are about to receive money. An itchy left palm means you are about to pay or lose money.
7
Usog (The Evil Eye/Hex)
Usog is a hex or affliction caused by someone with a “strong” presence (like a stranger or a tired person) greeting or admiring someone, especially a baby. It causes fever and nausea.
8
Pwera Usog (Countering the Hex)
To prevent usog, the person giving the greeting will say “Pwera usog” (Knock on wood). To cure it, they must dab their saliva on the baby’s forehead or stomach.
9
Dropping Utensils
If you drop a spoon, it means a female visitor is coming. If you drop a fork, a male visitor is on the way.
10
Black Butterfly
If a black butterfly enters your home and flies around, it is believed to be the spirit of a recently deceased relative visiting you.
11
Singing While Cooking
A person who sings while cooking will end up marrying an old person (a widower or widow). This was often used to make young women focus on cooking properly.
12
Lihi (Pregnancy Cravings)
A pregnant woman’s cravings (lihi) are believed to influence the baby’s physical appearance. If she craves mangoes, the baby might have mango-shaped birthmarks.
13
New Year’s Polka Dots
Wearing clothes with polka dots on New Year’s Eve is essential. The round shape symbolizes coins and is believed to attract wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
14
Jumping at Midnight
Children are encouraged to jump as high as they can at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. This is believed to help them grow taller in the new year.
15
12 Round Fruits
On New Year’s Eve, families must display 12 round fruits on the dining table. Each fruit represents one month of prosperity.
16
No Sleeping with Wet Hair
Going to sleep with wet hair is strongly discouraged. It is believed to cause blindness, insanity (mababaliw), or severe headaches.
17
Holy Week Injuries
Getting injured during Holy Week (Semana Santa) is particularly dangerous. It’s believed that wounds will heal much slower, or not at all, because God is “dead.”
18
Don’t Sit on a Pillow
Sitting on a pillow will cause bad luck, or more specifically, boils (pigsa) on your buttocks. Pillows are only for your head.
19
Pancit for Long Life
During birthdays and celebrations, noodles (pancit) must be served. The long strands represent a long life and good health for the celebrant.
20
Aswang (Shape-shifter)
The aswang is a feared creature of Philippine folklore, a shape-shifter (often a woman) who preys on pregnant women and unborn children.
21
Kapre (Tree Giant)
The Kapre is a giant, hairy creature that lives in large trees (like Balete or Mango) and smokes a large cigar. They are generally harmless but enjoy playing tricks on people.
22
Manananggal (Self-Segmenter)
A specific type of aswang, the Manananggal can detach its upper torso, sprout wings, and fly off at night to hunt, leaving its lower body behind.
23
Oro, Plata, Mata
When building stairs, the steps must be counted in threes, following the pattern “Oro, Plata, Mata” (Gold, Silver, Death). The top step must never land on Mata (Death).
24
Trying on the Wedding Dress
A bride must never try on her final wedding dress before the wedding day. Doing so is believed to bring bad luck and may cause the wedding to be canceled.
25
Wedding Rain
While inconvenient, rain on a wedding day is actually considered a huge blessing. It symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and a happy marriage.
26
Three People in a Photo
Avoid taking a photograph with exactly three people. It is believed that the person in the middle will be the first one to die.
27
Finish Your Rice
Children are told to finish every single grain of rice on their plate. Every grain left behind represents a tear that St. Peter will cry.
28
Whistling at Night
Do not whistle inside the house or walk around whistling at night. It is believed to attract snakes or wandering, malevolent spirits.
29
Don’t Walk Over People
Never step or walk over a person who is lying down, especially a child. It is believed this will stunt their growth permanently.
30
Tawas (Folk Healing)
Tawas is a diagnostic ritual where a folk healer (albularyo) melts candle wax or alum into water. The resulting shape is interpreted to identify the cause of an illness (often a spirit).
31
Gecko (Tuko) Sound
Hearing a “Tuko” (Gecko) make a loud sound is a sign of good luck. If it makes a sound as you are leaving, it’s a warning of danger; if it sounds as you arrive, you are welcome.
32
Simbang Gabi (Night Mass)
If you complete all nine consecutive dawn masses (Simbang Gabi) leading up to Christmas, it is believed that a wish you make will be granted.
33
Don’t Put Your Bag on the Floor
Never place your purse or handbag on the floor. Doing so means money will “leak” or flow away from you. Always place it on a chair or hook.
34
New House Ritual
When moving into a new house, the first things you should bring inside are rice (for abundance) and salt (to ward off evil spirits).
35
Pregnant Women in Doorways
A pregnant woman should not stand or linger in any doorway. This is believed to cause a difficult, long, or obstructed childbirth.
36
Biting Your Tongue
If you accidentally bite your tongue, it means someone is thinking about you or talking about you at that very moment.
37
Owl at Night
Hearing an owl (kuwago) hooting near your house at night, especially a sick person’s house, is a bad omen. It is often seen as a sign of impending death.
38
Broken Mirror
Just like in the West, breaking a mirror is believed to bring seven years of bad luck. You must immediately dispose of the pieces.
39
Gaba (Divine Karma)
Gaba is a form of divine, instantaneous karma. If you disrespect your elders, waste food, or commit a transgression, misfortune will befall you quickly.
40
Gifting Shoes
Never give shoes or sandals as a gift. It is believed the recipient will walk away from you, ending the relationship. To counter this, the recipient must “pay” the giver a small coin.
41
Gifting Knives
Similar to shoes, gifting a knife or any sharp object will “cut” the friendship. This must also be “paid for” with a coin to turn it into a transaction, not a gift.
42
Passing a Baby Over a Coffin
At a wake, living relatives (especially children) must be passed over the open coffin. This is to prevent the deceased’s spirit from getting lonely and taking the child’s spirit with them.
43
Red for Children at Wakes
Babies and young children attending a wake should wear a red item of clothing or a red bracelet for protection against spirits and usog.
44
Head of the Table (Kabisera)
If you are single, do not sit at the head of the table (kabisera). It is believed that if you do, you will never get married.
45
Balete Tree Spirits
The Balete tree (Banyan tree) is considered sacred and enchanted. It is the home of Kapre, Duwende, and other spirits. You must never point at it or disturb it.
46
Agimat (Amulet)
An agimat or anting-anting is a talisman, amulet, or charm that is believed to provide protection, power, or good luck to the wearer.
47
Pointing at the Moon
Children are told not to point at the full moon. Doing so is disrespectful, and the moon will “cut” their finger, causing a wound or infection.
48
Paying Debts at Night
Avoid paying off a debt or lending money at night. It is believed that the money will “go with the darkness” and your wealth will not return.
49
Don’t Turn Your Plate
While eating, do not rotate your plate. This is believed to cause confusion, bad luck, or even the death of a relative.
50
No Crying on the Coffin
Mourners are told not to let their tears fall onto the coffin or the deceased’s body. This makes the spirit’s journey to the afterlife “heavy” and difficult.
51
Twin Bananas for Twins
If a pregnant woman eats “twin” fruits that are fused (like twin bananas), she will give birth to twins.
52
First Haircut
A baby’s hair should not be cut before their first birthday. Doing so is believed to impair their speech development or intelligence.
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53
Pointing with Lips (Nguso)
Filipinos often point using their lips (nguso) instead of their index finger. Pointing with a finger is considered rude and can also accidentally offend spirits.
54
Returning a Container
If a neighbor gives you food in a container, you must never return it empty. Always put something inside (like cookies or a little rice) to ensure continued abundance.
55
Dog Howling
If a dog howls at night (not barks), it is believed that it can see a ghost or spirit. It is also sometimes considered an omen of an impending death.
56
Snake in the House
If a snake (especially a green one) enters your house and doesn’t harm anyone, it is considered a sign of good luck and impending wealth. Do not kill it.
57
No Wake Food Take-Home
You should not take any food home from a wake (lamay). It is considered bad luck and akin to bringing the sorrow (or the spirit) home with you.
58
Scattering Rice at a Wedding
As the newly married couple exits the church, guests throw rice at them. This is a wish for prosperity, abundance, and fertility.
59
Sleeping Facing a Mirror
Never position your bed so that you sleep facing a mirror. It is believed that the mirror will “steal” your soul while you sleep, or invite a third party into your marriage.
60
Orasyon (6 PM Prayer)
At 6 PM (the Orasyon or Angelus), it’s believed that evil spirits are strongest. Families stop what they are doing to pray, and children are called inside for protection.
61
Nuno sa Punso (Anthill Spirit)
The Nuno sa Punso is an old, cranky spirit living in an anthill. Disrespecting its home (by stepping on it or urinating near it) will result in sickness or swollen body parts.
62
No Last Piece
Filipinos will often avoid taking the last piece of food from a communal platter. This is called the “piece of shame” (hiyang) and taking it is seen as greedy.
63
Hiccups (Balisawsaw)
If you have hiccups (balisawsaw), it means someone is remembering you or talking about you.
64
Hiccup Cure
To cure hiccups, you should place a short strand of wet thread (sinulid) on your forehead.
65
Mole on the Foot
A person with a mole on the sole of their foot (nunal sa talampakan) is destined to be a traveler and will always be “on the go.”
66
Mole on the Palm
A mole on the palm of the hand is a sign of good luck. This person is said to be able to hold onto money easily and will be wealthy.
67
Opening an Umbrella Indoors
Never open an umbrella inside the house. It is believed to bring bad luck or, more specifically, to prevent you from growing taller.
68
No Balut for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are discouraged from eating balut (fertilized duck egg), as it’s believed it could cause a “hairy” baby or complications.
69
No Playing Tag at Night
Children should not play habulan (tag) at night. It’s believed that a spirit might join the game, and if the spirit “tags” you, you will fall ill.
70
Sweeping Towards the Door
When sweeping, always sweep the dirt towards the door to get rid of bad luck. Sweeping away from the door keeps the bad luck inside.
71
Don’t Lie Down After Eating
Lying down immediately after a full meal is said to be bad for digestion, with the folk belief being that you will “turn into a pig” or a snake.
72
White Lady (Balete Drive)
One of the most famous urban legends. A ghostly “White Lady” is said to haunt Balete Drive in Quezon City, often appearing to drivers at night.
73
Tiyanak (Vampire Baby)
The Tiyanak is a creature that disguises itself as a normal baby. When someone picks it up, it reveals its monstrous form and attacks.
74
Ringing in the Ears
If your ears are ringing, it means someone is talking about you. A high-pitched ring means they are saying good things; a low-pitched ring means bad things.
75
Shooting Star
If you see a shooting star, you must make a wish immediately before it disappears, and it will come true.
76
Don’t Answer at Night
If you are inside your house at night and hear someone call your name from outside, do not answer “Come in!” It might be a spirit trying to gain entry.
77
Tao Po! (Person Here!)
Instead of just knocking, Filipinos say “Tao po!” (A person is here!) when visiting. This is to announce to the homeowners (and any spirits) that a human, not a spirit, is at the door.
78
Tiktik Bird
The “Tiktik” bird is the sound that signals an aswang is near. If the sound is loud, the aswang is far away. If the sound is faint, it is very close.
79
Black Cat Crossing
If a black cat crosses your path, it’s a bad omen. To counter the bad luck, you must immediately turn around and take a different route.
80
Honking at Bridges
Drivers often honk their horn briefly when passing over a bridge, especially old ones. This is to “ask permission” from the spirits (nuno) that may live underneath it.
81
Coins in a New House
When building a house, scatter coins into the foundation before the cement is poured. This ensures the home will be prosperous.
82
Don’t Let Feet Face the Door
When positioning your bed, never let your feet point directly at the bedroom door. This is the “death position,” as this is how the dead are carried out of a room.
83
Throwing Milk Teeth
When a child’s milk tooth falls out, they must throw it onto the roof of the house and make a wish for a strong new tooth to grow in its place.
84
Don’t Look Back When Leaving
When leaving a house (especially for a long trip), do not look back. Looking back is said to invite bad luck or accidents that will prevent your return.
85
Don’t Sweep When Someone Leaves
After someone leaves the house for a trip, do not sweep the floor until they have reached their destination. Sweeping is like sweeping them away, which could cause an accident.
86
Kulam (Witchcraft)
Kulam is a form of folk witchcraft or sorcery. A mangkukulam (witch) can inflict pain or illness on a person from a distance, often using a doll.
87
Barang (Insect Hex)
A type of kulam where the sorcerer (mambabarang) uses insects and strange objects, commanding them to enter the victim’s body and cause internal pain.
88
Mano Po (Blessing)
While a sign of respect, Mano Po (taking an elder’s hand to your forehead) is also a ritual to receive their blessing and protection. To refuse is to invite gaba (karma).
89
Passing Food Over Someone
At the dinner table, never pass food over another person’s head or behind their back. It is considered disrespectful and brings bad luck.
90
First Ladle of Rice
When scooping rice from a newly cooked pot, the first ladle should be placed on your plate, not someone else’s, to ensure your own good fortune.
91
Cats Washing Their Face
If you see a cat grooming itself or “washing” its face, it is a sign that rain is coming soon.
92
Don’t Wear Pearls at a Wedding
A bride should not wear pearls on her wedding day. Pearls resemble tears, and wearing them signifies that the marriage will be filled with sadness and crying.
93
Fixing the Bed
If a person is sick, you should not make or fix their bed. Doing so is seen as “preparing” it for their death.
94
Coins for the Dead
When someone dies, coins are sometimes placed in their hand or mouth. This is “pabaon” (provision) for them to pay the boatman (bangker) to cross the river to the afterlife.
95
Cracking an Egg
If you crack an egg and find two yolks, it’s a sign of good luck, impending marriage, or that you will have twins.
96
Sudden Flame in a Candle
If a candle flame suddenly flares up brightly during a prayer or at a wake, it means the spirit it’s intended for is present and listening.
97
Stepping in Poop
While unpleasant, accidentally stepping in animal (or human) feces is considered a sign of good luck. It means money is coming your way.
98
Leaving for Spirits
In rural areas, some families will leave a small offering of food and drink on a plate outside their home or in a corner to appease local spirits and ensure harmony.
99
Biting Your Finger
When you say something good about your future (like “I’m going to pass my exam”), you should gently bite your knuckle or finger to prevent it from being jinxed.
100
Hilot (Folk Massage)
Hilot is a traditional healing massage. The manghihilot (healer) is believed to have the spiritual gift of sensing and correcting “blocked” energy, broken bones, or illnesses caused by spirits.
References
- National Commission for Culture and theArts (NCCA) โ “Filipino Culture: Commonalities and Diversities” โ An overview of the cultural makeup of the Philippines, which forms the basis of folk beliefs.
- University of the Philippines Diliman โ “Pagpag in a Time of Crisis” โ A university article discussing the cultural and sociological roots of the ‘pagpag’ funeral superstition.
- ResearchGate โ “Gaba: The Visayan concept of karma: An ethic of holistic justice” โ A scholarly paper on the concept of ‘Gaba’ (divine retribution) in the Visayas region.
- Wikipedia โ “Philippine mythology” โ A comprehensive collection of creatures, spirits, and deities that inform many of these superstitions.
- Wikipedia โ “Philippine folk beliefs” โ A specific entry detailing various ‘pamahiin’ (superstitions) and their cultural context.