The difference between superstition and folklore

The so-called folk custom is simply folk custom, a life culture created by people and passed down from generation to generation, and the sum of established customs, etiquette, habits and taboos. For example, setting off firecrackers in the Spring Festival, eating Yuanxiao on the 15th of the first month and eating moon cakes on the 15th of August are all folk customs. Folk customs are various, rich in content and regional. Folk activities are based on groups, and people in the same area have established customs. Every household abides by relevant customs and taboos and repeats them for a long time.

Superstition refers to people's blind belief in something or phenomenon. Superstition in a narrow sense refers to people's belief in divination, geomantic omen and vital signs, as well as their activities of divination, helping others, inviting gods, exorcising ghosts, watching geomantic omen and treating diseases with water. Superstition is very deceptive. People who engage in superstitious activities play tricks on people and confuse people with rumors. The main purpose is to make profits. People who take part in superstitious activities also have a strong purpose, such as getting rid of diseases and disasters, seeking children and wealth, and so on.

The main difference between folklore and superstition lies in group and individuality. Folk custom is a group activity, such as setting off firecrackers in the Spring Festival and posting Spring Festival couplets. Superstition is a personal activity, which is carried out by someone in order to achieve some personal purpose. For example, offering sacrifices to ancestors in festivals mainly expresses people's desire to remember their ancestors and pray for peace and good luck, which belongs to the folk custom category; However, it is superstitious for some people to find a good job and ask the gods to do things in order to prosper their business. In addition, folk activities are often non-profit, while superstitious activities mostly cheat money through various means. While protecting and inheriting excellent folk culture, we should prevent superstition from being regarded as folk custom.