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. 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.
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.
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). 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. According to an Indonesian legend, Jenglot was an ascetic who wanted to learn the "Ilmu Batara Karang" or the way to eternal life. He was a hermit who worships demons to attain mystical powers and ability. Ilmu Batara Karang originated in Tasikmalaya City, West Java, Indonesia, before the time of islam. It is an occult practice in Javanese and Sudanese culture which is believed to provide immunity and strength to its owner, that practice still pervades to modern times though. The owner of Ilmu Karang is believed to be able to melt or melt his opponent with just one touch. Apart from providing immunity, Ilmu Karang is also said to bring longevity or even immortality to its owner. They say if a person with great supernatural power meditates in a certain cave, they'll become a Jenglot. In other retellings of the legend, it is said that the earth itself rejects the corpse of a deceased Illmu Karang practitioner and that shrivelled corpse becomes the Jenglot. If a person with great supernatural power meditates in a certain cave, they'll become a Jenglot.
If you want to use it to bring you wealth, you must perform a ritual that involves an offering (sajen) and place money in front of it. Let it see the object that you desire. For other purposes like revenge or causing harm to a person all you need is a picture of the person you want the Jenglot to cause harm to. The Jenglot is known to have other spiritual properties such as:
An occult practitioner trained in specific crafts is able to bind a jenglot to his will, but such a burden is not one that comes with a price. Once you possess a Jenglot you have to abide by an 'agreement' between you and the Jenglot.
It is common for Jenglot owners to feed them with animal blood or even offer it a sacrifice. Should you fail to do so, the Jenglot will harm you and your loved ones and it is said that they will tie your soul, preventing you from going over to the next life. Jenglot will harm you and your loved ones and it is said that they will tie your soul, preventing you from going over to the next life. A Jenglot also has two different genders. For male practitioners will attain female Jenglot while female practitioners will attain male Jenglot. Jenglots can also come in different forms. While most of them are humanoid in appearances, there are those with half fish and half snake features. In Islam, it is believed that Jenglots are actually malevolent djinns that has taken this form so that it could be physically seen or touched by humans. In some retelling of Jenglot experiences, it is said that bathing a a jenglot in blood will cause it to animate. Others say that the jenglat does not animate but when you put a glass of blood near it, the blood would appear to drain away as if someone is drinking it. Some say the jenglot comes alive and consumes the blood when it is alone. According to Muhammad Syakir Muhammad Azmi, a Malaysian Islamic medical practitioner, the jenglot may be made from ordinary materials. The price at which these objects are sold depends on how real they look, though they are generally inexpensive. On the other hand, the object may also be made using animal fetuses. Jenglots made from this material are believed to be more efficacious, and therefore would fetch a much higher price on the market. As of the time of this writing, you can find five Jenglots on sale at eBay ranging from SGD 150 - 450 dollars. Photo provided by Syed Wilson from a 2019 Convention 'Crusade Against Black Magic'. The results of a study that was published in the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences in 2009 found that the hair particles from a sample of an alleged Jenglot was actually of human origin. The study also disproved, in this particular case, the claim that the Jenglot is a rare animal species that lives deep in the jungles of Indonesia. Real Jenglots are extremely hard to find and those that have seen it claimed that immense power radiates from it.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) the ones sol these days do not have the same power but that doesn't mean that the items are not infused with negative entities. A power Dukun may still tie djinns or other spirits into this object to perform similar tasks. Most buyers probably won't know the difference. Confessed by Suhao, Host of 00:01 Translated and edited by Eugene Tay Ghosts are distinguished by different colors. Some people see them as white and some say that they are green and red. What do these colours mean and is there a difference? According to Suhao, host of 00:01, a Chinese language streaming show on paranormal topics, the colors represent the ghost's resentment index and the mental state of the ghost. It can be divided into six tiers.: Sixth place: Grey Ghosts
These are the ghosts who line up to reincarnate, and they are the most commonly seen. Chance of meeting: The Grey ghosts don't want to see you. If you meet one, it's purely coincidence and these spirits are actually quite harmless. They are wandering around waiting for their time. Fifth place: White These are the new souls, formed by people who have just died. They are generally not harmful and are more confused about their new state of being. Chance of meeting: If you are down on your luck or happen to be in an area where a death had just taken place. This spirit is not likely to disturb you. Fourth place: Yellow The cause of death of the deceased is related financial issues. For example, people who commit suicide due to bankruptcy or money woes are likely to come back as yellow spirits upon death. Chance of meeting: People who are troubled by money or material life problems would likely see these ghosts. They are mostly restless and can affect your mood. Third place: Black Black ghosts are usually made by people who have died due to sickness or depression. The exude a depressive aura and are blamed for causing accidents. Some believe that these spirits cannot reincarnate and are trying to find unfortunate victims to take over their place. Chance of meeting: People with illnesses or feeling depressed have a higher chance of seeing black spirits. Second place: Red It is said that people who died tragically without justice or by taking their own lives due to emotional problems will become vengeful spirits. In Asia, there's a common misconception that committing suicide while dressed in red or burying the deceased in red will definitely bring the spirit of the soul of the dead back as a vengeful spirit. The colour of the burial outfit is less relevant than the intensity of the grievance. Chance of meeting: People who are facing relationship problems, feeling emotionally unstable, or just experiencing a spate of bad luck. First place: Green The green ghost is an occasional feature in Asian ghost stories. They are usually depicted by a spirit that can absorb the living's energy, take over their body, and are not anchored to a single place. These spirits can haunt you even in the day and have the ability to move objects. Chance of meeting: People who have done many bad things, those that have harmed others, will be particularly susceptible to meeting such ghosts. It's easier to take over someone who has already very low self control. |
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