The mythology of Whistle project

The fictional story behind Whistle Project comes from our fear of the unknown. What cannot be explained with reason. Superstition. The superstition of whistling to be exact.

In many cultures, whistling or making whistling noises at night is thought to attract bad luck, bad things, or evil spirits.

In some parts of rural Greece, it is believed that the act of whistling at night attracts/invites evil spirits, who recognize whistling as their language and punish the one doing the whistling, by taking his/her voice forever! These spirits could have various forms, usually half man half beast like figures.

One can find similar versions of this myth in other parts of the world.

This supernatural element along with the fact of loosing ones voice, the ability to speak, the ability to express oneself and in extension the loss of one's personal freedom create the basis, the starting point of Whistle Project.

Cultural Beliefs about Whistling

Mexicans, who believe that to whistle at night is to invite the Lechuza (a witch that can transform into an owl) to swoop down, snatch up the whistler, and carry him/her away. 

Arabs, who maintain that if you whistle in the night, you run the risk of luring Jinns (supernatural creatures of Islamic mythology), or even the dreaded Sheytan (Satan).

The Han Chinese, who believe that whistling at night invites ghosts into the home. Also, skillful Chinese yoga practitioners believe that they can summon supernatural beings, wild animals and weather phenomena with a whistle.

The Japanese, who believe that whistling in the night attracts snakes, thieves, or demons called Tengu.

Koreans, who believe that whistling at night summons ghosts and snakes.

The Siamese of central Thailand, who hold that whistling at night calls evil spirits and brings bad luck.

Native Hawaiians, who believe that whistling at night invokes the Hukai’po, or “Night Marchers”- the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors. In another version of the legend, nocturnal whistling summons the Menehune (forest-dwelling dwarves).

Samoans and the Tonga people of the Pacific Islands, who believe that those who whistle at night may be visited by unwanted spirits.

The indigenous Noongar people of southwestern Australia, who maintain that those who whistle at night attract the attention of the Warra Wirrin, or “bad spirits”.

The Maori of New Zealand, who maintain that if you whistle after midnight, the Kehua (ghosts and spirits) will whistle back. 

In Russian and other Slavic cultures, whistling indoors is superstitiously believed to bring poverty and there is a Russian proverb saying "whistling money away." However, unlike any other cultures, Russians do not believe that whistling indoors or outdoors makes any difference. 

In Estonia, it is also widely believed that whistling indoors may bring bad luck and therefore set the house on fire.

Apart from cultures, certain professions have superstitions about whistling as well. For example, whistling backstage in a theater is considered a jinx. Actors believe that if someone whistles backstage, bad things are on the horizon not only for them but for the entire company.
Sailors also ban whistling on board, believing that the whistler draws bad luck to the entire crew and the ship.