The Shan believe in spirits, which can cause good or evil in a person’s life and must be appeased. They also believe in reincarnation and that the good or evil done in one’s life will determine their status and fate in the next life. In order to atone for wrongs done, a person must participate in merit-building activities, such as suffering a punishment of some sort or doing good deeds such as giving to and worshipping the monks. The lowest form of life is to be an animal such as a dog or a cat, and the highest is to retire into a state of passionless peace.
All Shan boys about 12 years old enter the novicehood for a short period of time. Some become monks again later for a longer period of time( about 20 years old to enter the monkshood). They believe that the way to happiness it to renounce the world and carnal desires. They also believe that the physical and the spiritual are closely intertwined.

Languages: The Shan language is part of the Tai languages group of the Tai-Kadai language family, and is related to Thai and Lao. The spoken language are Shan, English and Burmese. Minority ethnic groups have their own languages. Tai with dialects varying for each group.
literature: The Shan have their own alphabet related to ancient Sanskrit. Shan, like Thai, is built on 5 different tones(Chinese Shan have 6). The Shan Phonology Committee including the representatives of the Tai long,Tai Mao, Tai Khamti, and Tai Hkun devised a Common Shan Script in 1974. For precision in writing the various Shan languages, the committee decided to have six tone marks in the Common Shan Script.

CULTURE

The Shan have a rich cultural heritage and are a proud and sophisticated race. They are a gentle and peaceful people. Many of their customs are related to the Chinese and the Thai. They have their own centuries old literature, art, agriculture and history. Tattooing is common among Shan men. The tattoos are often Buddhist connotations or signs, placed there in an effort to ward off evil spirits and protect the person from danger. Tattooing is also considered a sign of manhood in Shan society.
Instead of shaking hands, the Shan usually greet with a "wai", or placing the palms together in front of the face or chest and say “ Mai Soong Kha ”. The one lowest in status should initiate the greeting. How high the palms are placed reflects the status of the person being greeted in relation to the person greeting. In addressing each other, the Shan use titles (such as "Pa: grandmother", "Loong: uncle", “Pi: elder”, "Nawng ying: little sister", etc.) to express the person’s status or relationship to others. It is not acceptable to show affection between the sexes in public.The Shan are traditionally wet-rice cultivators, shopkeepers, and artisans. Most Shan are Theravada Buddhists and/or observe their traditional religion, which is related to animist practices.