S’pore Redditor baffled after spotting bizarre sight of chillies stuck into onions at HDB car parks

Chillies stuck in onions seen at HDB car parks in Singapore

A Singapore Redditor was left puzzled after spotting what appeared to be chillies stuck into onions around HDB car parks.

Netizen intrigued by chillies stuck into onions

The Redditor took to r/askSingapore on 20 Sept to ask: “Can someone tell me what is this?”

The Original Poster (OP) also included a picture of the unusual-looking arrangement that they saw.

In the accompanying photo, a pair of onions could be seen placed on the ground, with two chillies sticking out of them.

“Spotted this around HDB carparks a few times. Looks like someone stuck this into the ground,” the OP said.

“I’m quite puzzled about what it is and what it’s for.”

Netizens demystify curious pairing of onion and chilli

It did not take long for fellow Redditors to identify and also explain the curious sight.

A netizen explained that it was “chili bawang (meaning onion in Malay)”, and described it as a superstition believed to ward off rain.

Another Redditor noted that the practice was even mentioned by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an interview during the inaugural Formula 1 night race in 2008.

One commenter also said that they have seen this at the venue during the National Day Parade rehearsals.

Another netizen shared how they became a “believer” after witnessing how their commanders used onions and chillies to prevent rain for their anniversary parade.

MS News has reached out to the OP for more information.

Also read: ‘The bagua on the S$1 coin as a fengshui cure’: S’poreans share local urban legends, rumours & myths

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Featured image adapted from @peridottedlife on Reddit & Nastco on Canva for illustration purposes only.