If you have a Labubu, CRYBABY, Hirono or another blind-box figurine hanging from your handbag, you might want to tuck it away for a while.
Not because these cute collectibles are dangerous but because an old Ghost Month superstition says human-like dolls and figurines are best kept out of sight during this period.
Ghost Month Has Begun
The seventh lunar month is commonly known as Ghost Month in Chinese folk belief.
According to tradition, the gates of the underworld open during this period, allowing spirits to roam among the living.
In 2026:
Ghost Month: 13 August - 10 September
Hungry Ghost Festival: 27 August
For many Chinese communities in Malaysia, the month is a time to honour ancestors, make offerings and show respect to wandering spirits.
At some traditional performances, the front rows may even be left empty for the festival's unseen guests.
It's About Respect, Not Just Fear
While Ghost Month is often associated with spooky stories, many of its customs are also about respect and cultural tradition.
Families may prepare offerings, burn incense or paper offerings, and observe certain taboos believed to keep themselves and their households safe and respectful throughout the month.
And one of those traditional beliefs involves something surprisingly relevant to today's fashion trends: dolls and figurines.
So, What Do Blind-Box Charms Have To Do With It?
One Ghost Month superstition advises people to temporarily put away dolls and human-like figurines.
The traditional belief is that some figures could potentially serve as vessels or attract spiritual attention.
That doesn't mean your blind-box collectible is actually haunted.
But with plush and figurine bag charms becoming increasingly popular, some believers may choose to be more cautious with characters such as Labubu, CRYBABY, Hirono and similar human-like or doll-like figures.
So if your favourite collectible has been dangling from your handbag every day, you might see some people temporarily moving it indoors or keeping it inside their bag during Ghost Month.
Your Noisy Keychains May Count Too
Another folk belief discourages making attention-grabbing sounds at night, particularly sounds traditionally associated with attracting spiritual attention.
These may include:
Ringing bells
Whistling
Jingling metal accessories
This doesn't mean every keychain is considered unlucky.
The belief is more specifically associated with accessories that have bells, loose metal pieces or other components that create noticeable sounds particularly at night.
The connection between these beliefs and modern bag charms is largely a contemporary interpretation of older superstitions surrounding dolls, figures and attention-grabbing sounds.
What Can Believers Do?
If you prefer to play it safe during Ghost Month, there is no need to throw away your collectibles.
You can simply:
Keep plush charms inside your handbag
Remove bells or particularly noisy metal accessories
Avoid deliberately jingling them at night
Store human-like dolls and figurines somewhere clean and respectful
For many people, these are simply small precautions during a culturally significant period.
Keep The Context In Mind
Most importantly, your blind-box charm is not proven to attract spirits, and owning one does not make it cursed.
These beliefs come from Chinese folk traditions and vary between families and communities. Not everyone observes the same taboos, and younger generations may interpret them differently.
So if you spot someone hiding their Labubu inside their handbag this month, they may simply be following an old Ghost Month precaution adapted for today's collectibles and fashion trends.
No need to panic. Your cute little figurine isn't automatically haunted. Sometimes, it's just about respecting tradition.
