The Hungry Ghost Festival

Today we will be looking into Asia for our study on different cultures and their way of dealing with the departed.

In traditional Chinese belief, restless spirits are let out of hell to roam the earth on the first day of the 7^th month of the lunar calendar. It is thought that some of the ghosts may be angry or malicious and many fearful people avoid swimming or being alone at night to protect themselves. Most people see it as a day to ease the suffering of the deceased. In order to appease these ghosts and to honour their own ancestors, there are particular traditions to uphold on the 1^st & 15^th and the last day of what is called “The Hungry Ghost Month”.

The first day of the month, people want to guide and help the dead and they burn make-believe money outside their homes and businesses, or along the sides of roads or fields. This way the departed have the necessary funds to get around in the realm of the living. They don’t want their ancestors to go hungry or thirsty so they put out offerings of food and drink as well as light incense and put out their ancestral tablets to appease the spirits. Red painted paper lanterns are hung everywhere to help show the way. Ceremonies are held in temples, markets and in homes.

On the 15^th day, there are huge feasts put on in people’s homes and there is always an empty chair set for the most recently departed family member. All over the country there are live performances put on. Opera has been the main source of entertainment but in recent years, newer type shows and concerts also occur. Usually there is very loud music and the shows are held at night as people believe the ghosts are attracted by both the dark and the loud sounds.

On the last day of the festival, lotus flower shaped lighted lanterns are set into paper boats and floated in lakes or rivers to help guide the deceased back to the underworld. If the people are not near water, they set the lighted lanterns outside their homes. Once all of these lanterns have gone out, it symbolizes that the departed have found their way back.

There are rules to be obeyed during this most sacred month.

• Don’t stroll at night.
• Don’t swim or a you could be possessed by an evil ghost that drowned.
• Don’t move to a new house, start a new business or marry in this month.
• Don’t hang clothes out at night.
• Never pick up or bring home any money or coins you find in the street in this month.
• Be sure you do not disturb any roadside offering by stepping on or kicking them. If you do, you must apologize loudly.
• Ghosts are attracted to red, so don’t wear that during the month.
• Ghosts are attracted to loud music so don’t sing or whistle when you are alone.
• Ghost like sticking to walls so keep your distance.
• If you happen to be born in this month only celebrate your birthday during the day.
• Do not go out at midnight without food and other offerings in case the ghosts approach you.

           

While this special month has always had deep religious significance, in modern society it has evolved more into a way to honour their ancestors and feel close to much missed love ones again.

In 2016, the 15^th day of the 7^th lunar month falls on August 17^th.

{Reference sources: discoverhongkong.com; chinahighlights.com; Wikipedia.org/wiki/ghost-festival}