Comets in Chinese culture

In some Chinese cultures, comets (Chinese: 扫把星; pinyin: sàobǎ xīng; literally "broom star") are believed to bring bad luck to mankind.

In a Chinese family, daughters-in-law are considered outsiders and are blamed for creating problems in the family, especially with their mother-in-law. Because of this, they are often referred to as a "comet." E.g. "Oh my God, my son married a comet!"

A wife who is a comet has been known to bring down the fortune of not only her husband, but the wealth and well-being of the entire family.

However, the usage of 'comet' is not only limited to daughters-in-law. It is also used on other familial outsiders such as maids, employees, and others.