The Reason Why Some Buildings Are Painted Red, and How Feng Shui Will Affect the Residents

Photo via Lianhe Zaobao

​Disclaimer: It is important to note that the beliefs expressed in this article are based on superstition and not necessarily grounded in fact or logic. I am in no way insinuating that block 640B is haunted and in no way should this article reduce the value of that estate. This article is to educate and share local superstitious beliefs passed down from previous generations.

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Written by Eugene Tay

Block 640B of Tampines North Street 62 GreenVines made headline news this week when netizens shared a photo of the new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat that looks like it’s a set for a horror movie.

​Initially I thought it was just a design feature thought up by someone who isn’t chinese and approved by someone who isn’t superstitious. I didn’t think much about it, until I received a text message from a contact who knew something about the history of the land the estate was built on. 

A Bit of Backstory of the Plot of Land that GreenVines Sits On
The place was a heavily forested area untouched by urbanisation until recent years when the land was cleared to make way for housing development projects. Back in the days, the area was a popular spot for spiritual practitioners to discard cursed items, trap spirits inside of trees, or release them into the “wild”. There are a few places like that in Singapore but the numbers have been significantly reduced now. Another famous place for discarding spirits was in Bedok South. The place is also taken over by another BTO project (Hori-cough-cough-zon). That’s a story for a different time. 

Tampines North was the last part of Tampines to be developed, and over the years it has accumulated a lot of spiritual energy enough for some practitioners to believe that the place has opened up a rift for spirits to travel freely between two worlds. From the late 90s to the early 2000, there was a movement amongst young thrill seekers to spend the night in this part of Tampines North to test their courage and mettle against the spirits. Stories of possession and spiritual attacks were plenty, but to be fair, it was hard to verify the authenticity in many of these experiences.

In the late 2000, I suspect the Housing Development Board must have stepped in to invite some spiritual masters to intervene, and the place was gentrified, spiritually speaking. Yellow cloths were tied to certain trees and the process of “herding” lost souls begun.

Why is 640B Painted Red?
According to my contact, the reason why 640B was painted red was to curb the spiritual forces and keep them at bay. He pointed out that Temples are painted red for the reason that it gives them power and authority over spirits. 

I decided to delve more into this topic and speak with some Feng Shui masters. 

​This is what I found. 

In many cultures, the colour red is associated with spirits or the supernatural because it represents energy, passion, and power. The colour red is also often associated with blood, which is a symbol of life force and vitality. In some cultures, red is believed to protect against evil spirits and is used in protective talismans or amulets. 

​In Hinduism, red is also associated with the divine feminine energy, which is represented by the goddesses. The colour red is believed to symbolize purity, sensuality, and creativity. Therefore, red is often used in the worship of goddesses and in the decoration of temples dedicated to them.

Photo via TokTok User @zelia2702

Chinese Culture and Feng Shui View of Red
In Chinese culture, while red is often associated with good luck, prosperity, and happiness, when used sparingly (decorations, clothing, and accessories only), it can also be seen as a bold and aggressive colour that can bring bad luck or misfortune when it becomes overwhelming. 

In Feng Shui, the colour red is generally not recommended for use in homes because it is believed to be a very strong and fiery colour that can create an overwhelming or unbalanced energy in the space. The colour red is associated with the fire element and is believed to be “too hot” for a home environment.

According to one Feng Shui master, he said that buildings that are painted in red are likely to create these two scenarios.

1. 640B is likely to attract ghosts or evil spirits but it will keep them suppressed within the vicinity because the colour red is associated with the underworld and is believed to be a colour that has authority over ghosts or spirits. 
2. There is likely to have a high level of arguments or conflicts amongst the residents living there. This is because the colour red is associated with strong emotions and aggression, which can lead to disagreements. 

If you or someone you know is living in 640B Tampines Street 62, and have a supernatural encounter to share, please reach out to me (+65 94594931).

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Note: Regardless if you are a believer or a skeptic, most people will agree that the red was just a tad too much. Repainting work started on 1st March 2023, and the place doesn't look like it did in the photos.

In a CNA article, Housing Development Board (HDB) feedback that the GreenVines estate was inspired by tropical fruits, and block 640B reflected the colour of dragon fruit.