In the Taoist funeral custom, if there are idols of deities in the home and mirrors in the room or living room, the Taoist priest will ask the family to cover them with red paper. Why?

It is an auspicious, also known as “red” event to set up a deity at home for worshipping. While funerals are considered as fierce matter, also known as “white” event. To avoid disrespect to the gods, the Taoist priest will ask the family members to cover the deity on the alter table with red paper.

There are two sayings on why need to cover the mirrors with red paper.

  1. It is to prevent the deceased from panic because he/she cannot see themselves in the mirror. (It is said that the soul has no appearance and shadow)
  2. The mirror is said to be a Taoist instrument. Consecrated mirrors (regardless of size) are said to “absorb souls” and lock them in the mirror.

In HDB flats, why should red paper be pasted at the entrance of the elevator or stairs when there is a funeral at home?

The purpose of pasting red paper at the entrance of the elevator or stairs is to let people know that someone has just passed away and a funeral is being held at the void deck.

The red paper will be removed after the funeral.

丧事贴红纸

在道教丧事习俗里，凡是家中有安奉神灵，房间或客厅有镜子的，道长都会叫家人把它们用红纸盖住。这是为何呢？
在家设神位祭拜神明是属吉礼，红事。而丧事则属凶礼，白事。为避免对神明不尊敬，污秽神明，道长都会叫家人把神台上的神像遮上红纸。
镜子遮上红纸，有两种说法。

  1. 是避免死者从镜子里看不到镜子里的自己而惊慌。（据说灵魂是没有相貌和影子）
  2. 镜子，据说也是一种道教法器。经过开光的镜子（不论大小），据说能”吸收”魂魄，把灵魂锁在镜子里。

组屋里，家中办丧事， 为何也要在电梯口或楼梯口贴红纸？
在电梯口或楼梯口贴红纸是为了让人知道这座组屋里，有人刚去世而组屋楼下正在办丧事，如有不便，请求谅解。
这红纸会在办完丧事后被除下。