There are several traditional Chinese festivals that are characterized by diverse styles and themes which reflect Chinese practices along with the history of China and its people. Each festival has its own unique origin and customs, and they play an important role in defining China’s history and culture. Along with that, there is a very close relationship between the Chinese Traditional Festivals, the Chinese calendar, and the 24 solar terms. One of the most popular festivals is the Ghost festival, which is the most important festival of hungry ghost month. Read on to learn more about its history, origin, and how it is celebrated.
What is Hungry Ghost Festival?
The Hungry Ghost Festival is considered one of the most important festivals of Ghost Month, which is the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. It is commemorated on the fifteenth day of Ghost month, and this day often falls in either July or August. In some parts of China especially Southern China, the Hungry Ghost Festival is observed on the 14th day of Ghost Month. It is believed that the people in Southern China started celebrating the Ghost festival a day earlier during warfare to avoid attacks by their enemies on an unlucky day. That said, the Ghost Festival just like other special festivals such as the Double Ninth Festival, the Qingming Festival, and the Spring Festival, is simply celebrated to worship the ancestors.
The Chinese believe that the ghosts of their ancestors are let out of hell when Ghost month begins and the ghosts are more prevalent and aggressive during the Hungry Ghost Festival. For thousands of years, Ghost month has been considered the scariest month of the year and during this time the Chinese try as much as possible to avoid any implicative situations. For example, the Chinese avoid swimming for fear of drowning and they try to avoid being alone at night because they believe that this is when enemy ghosts can come after them. Also, the Chinese believe that these ghosts are very angry and malicious and are on the hunt for their enemies. For this reason, the Chinese came up with unique traditions about how to control the ghost situation on the first day when they are let out of hell, on the Hungry Ghost Festival day, and on the last day of Ghost month when the ghosts return to their home.
why Chinese celebrate hungry ghost festival?
The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival or the Ghost Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It is believed that during this time, the gates of the underworld are opened, and the spirits of the dead are allowed to return to the human world to seek food and offerings from the living.
The origins of the festival can be traced back to the ancient Chinese belief in the afterlife and the importance of ancestral worship. The festival is based on the belief that the dead need to be appeased and provided for in order to ensure good fortune and avoid misfortune for the living.
During the festival, people make offerings of food, incense, and paper money to the spirits of their ancestors and to other wandering spirits that may be seeking offerings. It is believed that these offerings will help to appease the hungry ghosts and prevent them from causing harm to the living.
The festival is also marked by various rituals and ceremonies, including the burning of incense and the lighting of lanterns. Many people also attend performances of traditional Chinese opera or other forms of entertainment, which are believed to please the spirits and bring good luck.
While the festival is primarily focused on ancestral worship and the appeasement of wandering spirits, it is also seen as a time for reflection and introspection. Many people use the festival as an opportunity to contemplate their own mortality and to reflect on the importance of family and community.
When does Hungry Ghost Festival end?
As mentioned earlier, the Chinese honor the memories of the deceased every year, for a month. The Ghost month lands on the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the ghosts are let out immediately after the month begins. The Ghost Festival, which is celebrated on the 14th day of Ghost month in Southern China and on the 15th day of Ghost month in other parts of China, then lasts for 14 days until the ghosts return to their homes, and a new month is ushered in.
Chinese ghost festival meaning
The Zhongyuan Festival, known as the “Ghost Festival” or “Seventh Month Festival” in Taoism, is an important traditional holiday in Chinese culture. It originates from ancient ancestral worship and related rituals, where people express their respect and remembrance for their ancestors through various ceremonial activities.
The customs of the Zhongyuan Festival vary due to regional and cultural differences, but they all reflect people’s reverence and remembrance for their ancestors. Ancestor worship is one of the most significant customs of the Zhongyuan Festival. People offer new rice, paper money, and other items to their ancestors, reporting the success of the autumn harvest and expressing gratitude for their blessings. Additionally, releasing river lanterns, performing ceremonies for deceased spirits, burning spirit money, and honoring the Earth deity are also traditional practices during the Zhongyuan Festival.
In Buddhism, the Zhongyuan Festival is known as the “Ullambana Festival,” considered a cultural tradition to honor ancestors. Taoism also views the Zhongyuan Festival as an important holiday, commemorating the founder of Taoism, Laozi.
The Zhongyuan Festival holds a significant place in the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and is one of the major occasions for ancestral worship. In May 2010, the “Zhongyuan Festival (Chaozhou Yulan Festival)” declared by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list, underscoring the festival’s importance in cultural preservation.
Chinese ghost festival Origin
The Zhongyuan Festival, known as the “Ghost Festival” or “Seventh Month Festival” in Taoism, is an important traditional holiday in Chinese culture. It originates from ancient ancestral worship and related rituals, where people express their respect and remembrance for their ancestors through various ceremonial activities.
In the “Yijing” (Book of Changes), the number “seven” is a symbol of change and rebirth. It is associated with the concept of cycles and regeneration. The “Yijing” states: “Repeatedly returning to its path, within seven days it returns. This is the movement of heaven.” The number seven is related to the sun, representing the time it takes for the sun’s energy to be renewed after it has diminished. It signifies the cyclic nature of yin and yang, the balance between opposing forces.
The customs of the Zhongyuan Festival vary due to regional and cultural differences, but they all reflect people’s reverence and remembrance for their ancestors. Ancestor worship is one of the most significant customs of the Zhongyuan Festival. People offer new rice, paper money, and other items to their ancestors, reporting the success of the autumn harvest and expressing gratitude for their blessings. Additionally, releasing river lanterns, performing ceremonies for deceased spirits, burning spirit money, and honoring the Earth deity are also traditional practices during the Zhongyuan Festival.
In Taoism, the Zhongyuan Festival is considered a commemoration of the founder of Taoism, Laozi. It is also known as the “Day of the Middle of the Year” or “Zhongyuan Jie.” In Buddhism, the festival is known as the “Ullambana Festival,” focused on the salvation of wandering spirits. Both Taoist and Buddhist elements have influenced the festival’s traditions and meanings.
The Zhongyuan Festival holds a significant place in the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and is one of the major occasions for ancestral worship. In May 2010, the “Zhongyuan Festival (Chaozhou Yulan Festival)” declared by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list, underscoring the festival’s importance in cultural preservation.
The festival’s customs have evolved over time, blending elements from folk beliefs, Taoism, and Buddhism. It’s important to note that the association of the “Ghost Festival” with the seventh lunar month, or “Seventh Month Festival,” is a result of the fusion of these cultural influences. The festival encompasses practices of ancestor veneration, offering respect to deceased spirits, and seeking blessings and protection from the spiritual realm. The intricate interplay between Taoism, Buddhism, and local traditions has contributed to the multifaceted nature of the Zhongyuan Festival.
Hungry ghost festival History and Origin
As a Taoist festival that was greatly valued in the Tang dynasty and popularly known as the Zhongyuan Festival, the Chinese at the time believed that the gates of hell were opened on the first day of Ghost month. The hungry ghosts are then released to take revenge on anyone who has behaved badly throughout the year and has been blacklisted on the Taoist records. The hungry ghosts would also be searching for food, and drinks and needed to make merry. During this time, the Taoists had to chant together to free the ghosts.
As a Buddhist festival, the Ghost Festival draws its origin story from the Mahayana scripture known as the Yulanpen. According to this scripture, Maudgalyayana (one of the disciples that accompany the Buddha) used his powers to search for his parents and he found out that his deceased mother had been sent to the realm of hungry ghosts. In an attempt to help his mother who was in a deprived state, Maudgalyayana tried to feed his mother a rice bowl but she couldn’t eat it as it turned into burning coal. He then asked the Buddha to help him out. Upon his request, Buddha explained to him that he could only assist his parents by willingly offering them food on the 15th day of the 7th month when the hungry ghosts come out. Since then, the festival has been observed in China with respect to the deceased.
hungry ghost festival story
The Hungry Ghost Festival is an important event in Chinese culture, and its origins can be traced back to a number of different stories and legends. Here is one story that is often told about the festival:
The story begins with a man named Mulian, who was a disciple of the Buddha. One day, Mulian decided to use his powers to look into the underworld, where he saw his own mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. Mulian was filled with grief and despair, and he begged the Buddha to help his mother.
The Buddha told Mulian that the spirits of the dead are only able to eat offerings that are made by the living. He instructed Mulian to make offerings to the spirits on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is when the spirits are believed to be most active. Mulian followed the Buddha’s instructions and made offerings to the spirits, including food, incense, and paper money.
To his great relief, Mulian was able to see his mother again, and he offered her the food and other offerings he had prepared. However, Mulian’s mother was unable to eat the food, as her ghostly body was too insubstantial. Mulian was heartbroken, but the Buddha came to him again and told him that he could help his mother by performing good deeds and making offerings on her behalf.
Inspired by the Buddha’s words, Mulian set out to do good deeds and make offerings to the spirits of the dead. He also began to spread the word about the importance of making offerings to the spirits, and over time, this tradition became known as the Ghost Festival.
Hungry Ghost Festival Food
The Chinese believe that the hungry ghosts released from hell during Ghost month are often in search of merriment, food, and other worldly pleasures. For this reason, food is at the center of the festivities during the 15th day of Ghost Month.
During the festival, you may find about three sets of chopsticks, three bowls of rice, and three bowls of Chinese tea on Ghost Festival altars. The number 3 is very symbolic during this time as it represents the underworld, the realm of heaven and earth. Besides that, other essential food offerings during this time are large plates of raw noodles, uncut meats (fish, pork, chicken, or beef), rice wine, candy, and fruits such as pineapples, Chinese lettuce, and peanuts, among others.
How is the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrated?
During the Hungry Ghost Festival, there are several temple ceremonies where the monks organize various festive activities. There are also street and market ceremonies where people gather around to celebrate. All activities carried out on this day are designed to appease the ghosts and avoid their wrath and spiritual attacks.
The main ceremony is held at dusk and during this time; people take time to put out plates of food on the table and sometimes leave a place open at the table for any lost ancestors. Also, the Chinese prepare food 3 times on that day and put the family’s ancestral tablets, photographs, and old paintings on the table then burn incense right next to them. In addition to that, there are three other important activities carried out to celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. These are;
Floating River Lanterns
To celebrate the Hungry Ghost festival, the Chinese people put a light or a candle on a lamp stand and float it on rivers on the night of the 14th/15th day of the 7th month. They make colorful river lanterns out of paper and wood and then write their ancestors’ names on the lanterns. These river lanterns are also known as lotus lanterns and they believe that doing this helps the ghosts of their loved ones reincarnate. They also believe that the ghosts of those who were wrongly accused can follow the floating river lanterns away and reincarnate instead of suffering too much in hell.
Burning paper ‘money’
On the first day of the Ghost month, the Chinese burn paper money outside their businesses or homes, in the fields, or along the sides of the road. Sometimes, they even go to the temple, so that they can burn make-believe paper money on the Hungry Ghost Festival altars. Generally, the Chinese believe that paper money actively enables their deceased family members and ancestors to have all the money and things they would need in the afterlife. Also, they believe that by burning fake money, they are able to repay any debts the deceased may have accrued when on earth and wasn’t able to pay it back in good time. They do all this to ward off evil and prevent frustrating the ancestors and other angry ghosts.
Sending Goat
One of the most popular traditions during the Hungry Ghost Festival is sending goats. Chinese custom during this time requires that one of the uncles or a grandfather on the mother’s side send a live and healthy goat to his nephew or grandson. Aside from being the best sacrificial animals in China, goats are a symbol of abundance and health. So, by sending goats to other family members, it communicates a message of health and wards off evil.
hungry ghost festival customs
In Hebei Province:
In Botou City and Nanpi County, on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, people bring fruits, dried meat, wine, and paper money to their ancestors’ graves for worship. They also carry hemp stalks to the fields as an offering, known as “offering the new.” In Guangping County, people offer fresh food to their ancestors and prepare fruits, vegetables, and steamed mutton to give to their grandchildren, known as “sending the lamb.” In Qinghe County, on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, people visit the graves for worship and offer steamed mutton to their daughters.
In Shanxi Province:
In Yonghe County, scholars offer worship to the God of Scholars (魁星) on this day. In Changzi County, shepherds hold a sheep-slaughtering competition on the occasion of the Mid-Yuan Festival, believing it can increase sheep production. They also give meat to relatives and friends. If a family is too poor to afford a sheep, they steam dough into the shape of a sheep as a substitute. In Yangcheng County, rural families create paper cats, tigers, and figures of grains using wheat bran and fresh grass. These are then set up in the fields as offerings in a ritual called “walking the fields.” In Mayi County, people make figures out of wheat dough in the shape of children, known as “dough figures,” and exchange them among relatives’ homes. In Xinzhou, villagers hang colorful paper flags in the fields on this day.
In Henan Province:
In Shangqiu County, during the worship of the Land Deity (地官) on the Mid-Yuan Festival, people hang paper flags at their doorways, believing it can prevent insects. In Mengjin County, people fly kites during the Mid-Yuan Festival. In Jia County, people draw a gray circle in front of their doors on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month and burn paper figures within it as an offering to ancestors.
In Shandong Province:
In Changdao, fishermen create small boats from wooden boards and stick a paper note reading “For use by [Name]” on them. These boats are set adrift in the water, symbolizing the transportation of souls across realms. In Zhanhua County, people build “hemp houses” using hemp stalks and fresh leaves, where they place ancestral tablets for worship. In Dezhou, Ling County, the Mid-Yuan Festival is known as “Pinching Mouth Festival.” People eat plain food on this day.
In Shaanxi Province:
In Lintong County, people burn paper offerings to the mythological figure Magu on the Mid-Yuan Festival. In Chenggu County, rural households hold a banquet known as “hanging hoes” to celebrate the festival. In Yang County, farmers go to the fields in the morning of the Mid-Yuan Festival, choose the tallest and most vigorous rice ears, and hang them with multicolored paper flags, known as “field flags.”
In Jiangsu Province:
In Wuxi County, people use tin foil to fold ingots, which are then burned as offerings. This practice is known as “binding ghost affinity.” In Yizheng County, a paper ghost figure is popular, containing a bowl lamp inside. They hold a feast and invite 24 old women to participate in the rituals, known as “Twenty-Four Walks.”
In Zhejiang Province:
In Jiashan County, during the Mid-Yuan Festival, people release floating lamps on water to guide wandering spirits. These lamps are made of paper and have various shapes, and they are believed to lead lost souls to the offerings and incense. In Tianzhu County, a similar tradition of worshiping ancestors and sending off wandering spirits is practiced.
In Guangdong Province:
In southern China, people observe the tradition of worshiping ancestors on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month. Both the rich and the poor prepare food, candles, and paper money as offerings to their ancestors to show their remembrance. This day is known as “the 14th of the seventh month.” People also engage in the practice of “water lamps,” releasing lamps on water to guide spirits.
In Guangxi Province:
In Guilin, people hold a series of rituals from the 7th day to the 14th night of the seventh lunar month to welcome and send off ancestors. They float paper boats and burn offerings to guide spirits. The day is known as “the Ghost Gate is open,” and it’s believed that spirits can freely roam between realms during this time.
In Hubei Province:
In Macheng, people slaughter livestock and gather with relatives to burn paper money and offer worship to ancestors around the 12th to 15th days of the seventh lunar month. This is known as “sending the old guests.”
Thailand:
On the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Water Lantern Festival is celebrated in Thailand. People release sky lanterns to pray for the souls of the departed.
Japan:
The Obon Festival, also known as the “Ullambana” festival in Japan, originated from China during the Tang dynasty and was introduced to Japan during the Asuka period. The festival lasts from the 13th to the 16th of July in urban areas and from the 13th to the 16th of August in rural areas. Activities include cleaning graves before the 13th, welcoming ancestral spirits on the 13th, and sending them off on the 16th. There is a custom of giving gifts to the spirits, and people gather to perform a dance known as “Bon Odori,” which involves intricate hand movements similar to today’s Para Para dance. The Obon Festival holds significant importance in Japan and is considered a major holiday, second only to New Year’s Day. Companies often grant a week-long vacation known as “Obon holiday,” during which many Japanese working away from home return to their hometowns for family reunions and ancestral rites.
North Korea:
The Middle of the Seventh Month Festival, also known as the “Bae Chil” or “Baek Jung” Festival, is a traditional holiday in North Korea. It has its roots in the Chinese Taoist and Buddhist Ullambana festivals and has developed its own unique characteristics in North Korea. While the festivals in China and Japan emphasize ancestor worship and appeasing spirits, the North Korean Middle of the Seventh Month Festival retains a focus on celebrating the autumn harvest and agrarian festivities, with ancestor worship and remembrance as secondary aspects.
Singapore:
In the Chinese communities of Singapore, besides the traditional customs of ancestor worship and offerings during the Ghost Month, there is a unique entertainment activity known as the “Seventh Month Opera” or simply “Opera.” This involves setting up temporary stages in open spaces with decorations such as sound systems and lighting. Rows of chairs are placed for the audience, with the front row typically left empty for the “good brothers” (spirits). Performances include comedic skits, magic tricks, and lively dances, and these opera performances occur throughout the entire seventh lunar month.
Malaysia:
In the Chinese communities of Malaysia, the Middle of the Seventh Month Festival, also known as “Yu Lan Sheng Hui” or “Qing Zan Zhong Yuan,” involves not only traditional performances and rituals for ancestral spirits but also a unique entertainment activity to amuse the spirits. Similar to Singapore, a form of opera culture called “Tai Chor” exists, and it shares similarities with Singapore’s opera culture.
Ancestral Worship:
People believe that during the middle of the seventh lunar month, ancestors return to visit their descendants. Thus, ancestral worship is conducted as an expression of traditional values like honoring one’s roots and showing gratitude to ancestors. The ceremonies take place around the mid of July, coinciding with the autumn harvest season, symbolizing the sharing of bountiful crops with ancestors. During normal days, ancestor worship involves lighting incense, but during the “Ghost Month,” ancestors’ tablets are respectfully placed on special altars with offerings of incense and tea served three times a day.
Burning Paper Offerings:
The most prominent ritual during the Middle of the Seventh Month Festival is the burning of paper offerings. It is believed that the paper in the living world becomes money in the afterlife, so people burn paper offerings to provide money for their deceased ancestors. When burning offerings at graves, a few pieces of paper are often left behind, which are then burned at crossroads to offer alms to homeless wandering spirits, preventing them from robbing the money intended for their ancestors.
Other Practices:
The festival includes various practices like burning incense and setting off firecrackers on the fourteenth or fifteenth night, as well as offerings to the land and crops. Paper strips in different colors are wrapped around the ears of crops after burning paper offerings, believed to protect them from hail and ensure a bountiful autumn harvest.
Wishing for Abundance: The festival’s rituals are closely associated with praying for a bountiful harvest. On a night known as “Shi Gu,” households burn incense to pray for abundant rice harvests, and branches of incense are inserted into the ground, symbolizing the prosperity of the rice harvest.
Eating Duck: Many regions across the country choose to eat duck during the Middle of the Seventh Month, as ducks are associated with water, which connects to the concept of crossing over spirits using water lanterns. There is also a play on words with “duck” and “pressure,” suggesting that eating duck suppresses or pacifies the spirits. In some places like Dongguan, people often eat duck cooked with lotus root.
Sky Lantern Dancing: In areas like Tiandeng, Guangxi, during the Middle of the Seventh Month, the tradition of sky lantern dancing takes place. Originally involving superstitious activities to welcome deities and repel plague spirits, it has evolved into a folk sports event. The activity takes place on a flat field, with 72 small bowls filled with oil arranged in 9 rows. Lanterns are lit, and participants wear masks and carry instruments like wooden fish, small drums, gongs, and cymbals. Dancing follows a rhythmic pattern among the lanterns, creating a captivating scene resembling a dragon dance in the starlit night.
Releasing Water Lanterns: A custom during the Middle of the Seventh Month involves releasing water lanterns. Lanterns are placed on floating bases, and on the night of the festival, they are set afloat on rivers, lakes, or the sea to drift away with the currents.
“Releasing Flames” Ritual: An important activity during the Obon Festival involves “releasing flames.” “Flames” refer to hungry ghosts in Buddhist cosmology. This activity aims to offer food to wandering spirits and provide offerings for them. The ritual involves chanting and performing rites by monks, followed by the sprinkling of rice and clean water to offer sustenance to the spirits.
Water Lanterns for Solitary Spirits: Water lanterns, also known as “lotus lanterns,” are placed on floating bases with lit candles or small lamps. These lanterns are released into rivers, lakes, and seas, allowing them to float and drift away. This custom has roots in the practice of lighting lanterns during the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival) and has evolved into a joyful activity in modern times.
Wishing for Abundance: One of the goals of releasing water lanterns is to offer prayers for abundance and blessings. The act of lighting lanterns and allowing them to drift away symbolizes guiding spirits to a better realm and bringing good fortune and prosperity to the living world.
what happens during the ghost festival?
The festival is believed to be a time when the spirits of the dead are allowed to return to the human world to seek offerings from the living. Here is a breakdown of what happens during the Ghost Festival:
Offerings:
One of the key elements of the Ghost Festival is the making of offerings to the spirits of the dead. These offerings typically consist of food, incense, and paper money, which are burned as offerings to the spirits. It is believed that these offerings will appease the hungry ghosts and prevent them from causing harm to the living.
Ghost Month:
The Ghost Festival is just one part of a larger period of time known as the Ghost Month. This month-long period is believed to be a time when the spirits of the dead are particularly active and when the living should be especially careful to avoid angering or offending them. During this month, many people avoid taking long trips or making major life changes, as it is believed that doing so could invite bad luck or the wrath of the spirits.
Burning Incense:
Another important aspect of the Ghost Festival is the burning of incense. Many people burn incense as an offering to the spirits, with the smoke from the incense being believed to help guide the spirits to the offerings. It is also believed that the scent of the incense will help to soothe the spirits and make them less likely to cause mischief or harm.
Lighting Lanterns:
The Ghost Festival is also marked by the lighting of lanterns, which are believed to help guide the spirits back to the underworld. These lanterns may be simple paper lanterns, or they may be more elaborate and ornate, with intricate designs and decorations.
Performances:
In many parts of China, the Ghost Festival is also marked by performances of traditional Chinese opera or other forms of entertainment. These performances are believed to be a way to please the spirits and bring good luck, and they are often attended by large crowds of people.
Ghost Marriage:
In some parts of China, the Ghost Festival is also associated with the tradition of ghost marriage. This tradition involves marrying off the spirits of unmarried dead people in order to provide them with companionship in the afterlife. While the tradition has fallen out of favor in many parts of China, it is still practiced in some areas.
Hungry Ghost Festival Taboo
1.Avoid discussing ghosts and supernatural beings on this day. It is said that ghosts come out in droves, especially in temples and places where ceremonies are held. It is also best to avoid talking too much during the Ghost Festival, as ghosts may be passing by you.
2.Do not walk on dark or deserted roads. Do not stay outside after 11 PM. This day is known for its ghosts and evil spirits, and it is best to avoid being outside and not returning home at night is a major taboo.
3.Avoid carrying items that attract ghosts, such as bells, wind chimes, or playing the Ouija board. These items can easily attract unwanted entities and negative energy.
4.Do not pick up money or touch offerings left for the ghosts. These items are meant for the spirits, and taking them without their consent can bring bad luck and misfortune.
5.Avoid taking pictures at night. Mirrors and phones can capture unclean entities, and taking pictures at night can attract negative energy.
6.Do not step on burnt offerings or paper money left for the ghosts. These offerings are meant for the spirits, and stepping on them can offend them and bring bad luck.
7.Do not touch or pat someone’s shoulder or head. It is believed that humans have three spiritual flames on their body, and touching or patting them can extinguish these flames, making them vulnerable to negative energy.
8.Do not swim in water bodies during the Ghost Festival. Ghosts and evil spirits are known to roam freely on this day, and swimming in water bodies can make one vulnerable to their negative influence.
9.Women on their menstrual cycle should avoid certain activities such as ceremonies, as they are believed to be impure and vulnerable to negative energy.
10.Do not hang wet clothes outside during the night. Wet clothes can attract negative energy and spirits, making them vulnerable to their influence.
11.Avoid sleeping with your hair unkempt during the Ghost Festival. This can make you appear like a ghost to other spirits and attract them towards you.
12.Do not whistle at night. Whistling is believed to attract the attention of ghosts and is considered bad luck.
Significance of the Ghost Festival
From the legends associated with the Ghost Month, we can deeply understand the dual significance of the festival. Firstly, it upholds the virtue of filial piety by honoring and remembering ancestors. Secondly, it promotes the principles of empathy and philanthropy, encouraging acts of kindness and charity towards others. These aspects are driven by a compassionate perspective and carry a strong sense of human compassion. Thus, while celebrating the Middle of the Seventh Month and paying respects to the spirits, it is important to transcend the focus on ghosts and emphasize the importance of mutual love.
In terms of cultural significance, the Middle of the Seventh Month is also one of the traditional Chinese ancestor worship festivals, reflecting a deep-seated belief system. The festival holds the essence of intangible cultural heritage, embodying a culture that reveres ancient traditions while remaining relevant in the modern context. This tradition embodies the ancient concept of “honoring the past and cherishing the distant,” with its core cultural value lying in the acts of showing reverence to ancestors and fulfilling filial piety.
Hungry Ghost Festival vs. Halloween
The Hungry Ghost Festival is perhaps one of the most popular Halloween-related festivals in China and it is celebrated at the time of the year when the moon is full.
According to the Chinese, there is a bridge between the dead and the living on the night of the full moon. For this reason, they try as much as possible to take precautions that prevent them from finding themselves in a compromising situation that may cost their lives. Also, the Chinese find all possible ways to honor the dead by lighting floating river lanterns, burning paper money, and sending goats. All these activities and traditions are done to protect themselves from pranks and attacks by angry ghosts, to honor famous people from the past, and to worship their long-dead ancestors. They believe that by appeasing the ghosts, they can help protect them every other day.
Halloween or the Night of the Dead, on the other hand, originated from the traditional holiday of Celts in Great Britain. The Celts believed that the last day of October was the ‘ghost day’ or ‘the day of the dead. Further, they believed that on that particular day, the ghosts often crossed over the boundary between the living and the dead. Halloween, however, is currently characterized by dressing up as ghosts, and trick-or-treating.
Final Thoughts
The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most important and intriguing festivals in China. The Chinese perform several rituals during this time, and the rituals are meant to welcome the spirits and alleviate them from any kind of suffering they may have gone through in the underworld.
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