When I first moved to Taiwan, my local friends welcomed me with open arms and a list of cultural taboos designed to save me from embarrassing myself—or accidentally summoning ghosts.
They warned me about the classics:
- ❌ Don’t stick your chopsticks straight into a bowl of rice.
- ❌ Don’t point at the moon.
- ❌ Don’t give someone a watch as a gift.
Harmless enough. But then came the one that truly made me pause.
“Whatever you do, never pick up a red envelope on the street… Unless you want to marry a ghost.”
I laughed. They didn’t. And that’s how I discovered one of the most surprising, meaningful, and uniquely Taiwanese traditions: spirit marriage.
What Is a Spirit Marriage? (冥婚)
Spirit marriage exists in various forms across Chinese culture, including both China and Taiwan. While sometimes it involves a union between two deceased individuals, Taiwan has a very specific variant that stands out.
Here, spirit marriage can involve a living person being symbolically married to someone who has passed away. This practice may sound supernatural or dramatic, but it’s deeply rooted in tradition, ancestral beliefs, and the importance of family lineage.
And no—it’s not just an urban legend. These marriages still happen today.
“Marrying the Ancestral Tablet” (娶神主)
In Taiwan, the local term for this kind of union is 娶神主, which translates to “marrying the ancestral tablet.”
Traditionally, if a young woman dies unmarried, her family may worry that she will become a lonely or restless spirit. In traditional belief systems, spirits who die single are thought to be more vulnerable, or even more likely to cause disturbances among the living—not out of malice, but because they lack the comfort, companionship, and continued presence that family rituals provide.
To help her transition peacefully, the family may arrange a ghost marriage.
And here’s where things get even more intriguing…
The Red Envelope Ritual
If you ever see a red envelope placed intentionally on the ground in Taiwan—especially on a quiet street, temple entrance, or along a roadside—think twice before picking it up.
This envelope might contain:
- cash
- joss paper (money for the afterlife)
- symbolic items
- or, in some cases, even a lock of hair or nails from the deceased
These items are meant to serve as a “proposal package.”
If a man picks up the envelope, it’s believed that he has been chosen—or “fated”—to marry the deceased woman. Returning the envelope or refusing the marriage is considered extremely unlucky and can bring misfortune.
In some cases, if the man turns down the marriage, the family may seek help from a medium or temple to appease the spirit. But often, the belief is that the easiest and safest solution is simply to hold the wedding.
So… Why Do Spirit Marriages Still Happen?
While the practice is rare, it’s far from forgotten. The reasons vary:
1. Family continuity
Even after death, individuals are believed to deserve their place in the ancestral line. Marriage grants them a status that allows continued veneration and inclusion in family rituals.
2. Restless spirits
Families worry that an unmarried spirit might cause disturbances or bring misfortune if it feels lonely or neglected.
3. Comfort for the living
Losing a young, unmarried daughter can bring profound grief. Performing this ceremony can offer emotional closure or fulfill cultural expectations.
4. Fate and superstition
Some believe that if a man picks up the envelope, the match was meant to be—literally arranged by cosmic forces.
It’s a delicate blend of grief, tradition, ancestry, and spiritual belief… and one that continues to shape rituals in modern Taiwan.
Spirit Marriage in Taiwanese Pop Culture
This topic isn’t just part of folklore—it’s also made its way into Taiwanese cinema. If you’re curious and want to explore it through film, here are two great options:
🎬 The Bride (屍憶) – Horror
A dark, atmospheric exploration of ghost marriage, tradition, and supernatural encounters.
🎬 Marry My Dead Body (關於我和鬼變成家人的那件事) – Comedy
A surprisingly heartwarming, genuinely funny film about a man who accidentally ends up in a ghost marriage and the chaos that follows. (It’s also fantastic for LGBTQ+ representation and local humor!)
Both offer different angles on the same practice—one eerie, one humorous, both culturally rich.
Why This Tradition Matters
Taiwanese culture is incredibly layered. For many people, practices like spirit marriage aren’t superstition—they’re expressions of love, protection, and respect for the dead. These rituals bridge the worlds of the living and the departed, allowing families to stay connected across generations.
And whether you believe in spirits or not, there’s something deeply human about wanting to care for someone, even after they’re gone.
Final Thoughts (and a Friendly Warning)
So yes—the taboo is real:
Never pick up a random red envelope on the street in Taiwan.
Unless, of course, you’re ready for a wedding you didn’t plan for.
If you’re learning Chinese and want to dive deeper into fascinating cultural concepts like this, check out our related post on Mandarin Zest—linked in the comments!
Taiwan is full of stories like this: spooky, heartwarming, strange, and wonderful all at once. And that’s exactly why living here never gets boring.
Bubble Tea Island 