Superstitions are often defined as irrational or false beliefs (Jahoda,2010;

Vyse,2012), and are commonly related to the control of good or bad luck

(Kramer & Block, 2011). Magical thinking is defined as the belief that certain

actions can influence objects or events when there is no empirical causal

connection between them (Henslin,2009; Zusne & Jones, 2013).

Superstitions can offer individuals a sense of understanding even when there

is not sufficient information to develop an accurate causal explanation

(Keinan,2003), superstitions seem to be especially common when people are

motivated to understand and control their environment.

People’s magical intuitions are often guided by the belief that “like
causes like”: objects or events that are associated with each other based on

similarity are often believed to be causally related, even when the causal

relationship is scientifically impossible (Gilovich & Savitsky,2002).

Bourassa and Peng (1999) consider the effect of unlucky and lucky

house numbers on 2,164 house sales in a few neighborhoods of Auckland,

New Zealand and find a significant 6 positive premium for lucky numbers.

There are some superstitious beliefs that commonly practiced by

Indonesian people that might be similar with the others. Opening an umbrella
in a houseor building might bring a bad luck for all the people who live in the

house or building (Orenstein, 1994). Walking under a stair will also bring the

person a bad luck over seven generations (Berril, 2012). According to Feng

Shui World (2007), another superstitious belief that is owned by Indonesian

people is that they believe if they sweep the house at night, they will sweep

their luck and prosperity. Relating the superstitious belief towards house,

Indonesian people believe that building a house facing north would cause the

owner to get lack of prosperity. They also believe that tusuk sate house will

bring a bad luck to the owner because the main gate is facing directly to the

external „objects‟. House with a waterballoon shaped with bigger size at the

front of the house is believed to bring a bad luck for the owner because

prosperity and luck can get out easily from them.

When it comes to building our homes, we take extra measures to ensure

our prosperity and safety in them. Besides relying on Chinese geomancy or

feng shui, many Filipinos also prescribe to traditions that date back to pre-

colonial times. From burying coins to counting the steps on our stairs, we have

upheld these inherited practices throughout the centuries. Take a look at some

of the more common superstitions that Filipinos continue to practice when it

comes to building and selecting our home.( Arch. Vittoria Lou Mawis, 2019)
 As in other areas of their existence, Filipinos nurture certain

superstitions when it comes to building their abodes. These house-building

beliefs are as amusing as they are intriguing. The origins of these now widely

held superstitions can be traced back to the traditions of particular ethnic

groups.

Building a house on a dead-end lot must be avoided as much as possible.

Either a financial misfortune, or worse, a death in the family will befall its

occupants. Applicable to both house owner and tenant, if the former is not

residing in it, this superstition is attributed to Pampangos in Central Luzon

(Anima, 2013)

Chinese culture has a huge impact on us. We’ve had a good relationship

with them since before the Spaniards came, and we can see their influence in

our food, language, and even beliefs. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of

attracting luck, as well as driving away bad luck and evil spirits. For us

Filipinos, we apply Feng Shui in our homes and businesses. We follow certain

furniture arrangements based on Feng Shui to give our homes a more tranquil

and safe feeling. Some people even hire a Feng Shui to help them with their

home’s interior design and architecture (Indy, 2019)