{
  "_source": "chinesefortunetools.online/api/gift-taboos.json",
  "_license": "CC0 — free to use",
  "_updated": "2026-09-11",
  "taboos": [
    {
      "item": "Clock",
      "zh": "钟",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'attending a funeral' (送钟/送终)",
      "severity": "high"
    },
    {
      "item": "Umbrella",
      "zh": "伞",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'scatter/break up' (散)",
      "severity": "medium"
    },
    {
      "item": "Shoes",
      "zh": "鞋",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'evil' (邪)",
      "severity": "medium"
    },
    {
      "item": "Pears",
      "zh": "梨",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'separation' (离)",
      "severity": "medium"
    },
    {
      "item": "Green hat",
      "zh": "绿帽子",
      "reason": "Symbol of being cheated on by a partner",
      "severity": "high"
    },
    {
      "item": "Handkerchief",
      "zh": "手帕",
      "reason": "Associated with funerals and crying",
      "severity": "medium"
    },
    {
      "item": "Mirrors",
      "zh": "镜子",
      "reason": "Can attract ghosts in folk belief; also breaks easily (bad luck)",
      "severity": "low"
    },
    {
      "item": "Knife/scissors",
      "zh": "刀/剪刀",
      "reason": "Symbolizes cutting the relationship",
      "severity": "high"
    },
    {
      "item": "Number 4",
      "zh": "四",
      "reason": "Sounds like 'death' (死) — avoid gifts with 4 units or ¥4",
      "severity": "high"
    },
    {
      "item": "Shoes to a boyfriend/girlfriend",
      "zh": "鞋",
      "reason": "Suggests they will 'walk away' from you",
      "severity": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "safe_numbers": [
    6,
    8,
    9,
    88,
    168,
    888
  ],
  "unsafe_numbers": [
    4,
    14,
    24,
    44,
    7
  ]
}