Believe it or not: All you need to do is beat the bad vibes away

If venting had a shoe size, Hong Kong might just be the perfect fit where frustration sometimes finds release in the most theatrical way possible – with a slipper. Known locally as da siu yan, or “villain hitting”, this centuries-old ritual turns anger, heartbreak and even bad luck into something you can literally whack away.

This time, slippers and spells equals enemy bashing

Run by elderly women beneath the Canal Road Flyover in Causeway Bay, roadside stalls offer symbolic revenge, or relief. Armed with paper, incense and a trusty shoe, they help clients banish enemies, misfortune and negative energy, one slap at a time. On February 16, travel blogger Akanksha Monga shared a reel on this striking ritual. She explained that participants were made to write their troubles on paper, burn incense, pray, and repeatedly smack the paper with a shoe while chanting.

A five-dollar fix for bad vibes
The ritual is surprisingly affordable. Lifestyle blogger Karen Louie noted on February 13 that anyone can symbolically ‘curse’ their enemies for just $5 (around ₹450). Despite its theatrical optics, villain hitting isn’t designed to inflict harm. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the term “siu yan” translates to “little person,” referring to petty irritants rather than real adversaries, making the ritual symbolic than harmful.

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