Oro Plata Mata Stairs Building Guidelines
There are guidelines, too, governing the number of steps in one’s stairs. Starting with the first landing, count the steps using the words oro (gold), plata (silver), and mata (death).
The perfect last step should be oro. Ending up plata is not too bad either but, understandably, do not ever end up with mata.
This ruling is strictly observed especially if it involves the first steps of going into the house. If your home has a slight elevation, choose four steps but never three.
(Reference: Filipino Building Beliefs by Architect Ernesto Zarate posted by National Comm. for Culture and the Arts)
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