The Hungry Ghost Festival of China: A tradition that resembles Halloween
There are many religious festivals around the world and people have unique ways of celebrating them. One unique festival is the Hungry Ghost Festival of China which is observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month (July or August in the calendar that we use). During this festival, the Chinese conduct special rituals and offer food to ancestral spirits to drive off their anger. Intriguing, right? The Chinese also believe that there exists a strong link between the dead and the living during the ghost month! If all of this sounds fascinating to you, then you are at the right place.
Where did the festival originate from?
The roots of the Hungry Ghost Festival can be found in Taoism. According to Taoism, a religious faith from ancient China, the gates of hell open on the first day of the seventh lunar month. During this period, hungry ghosts descend on Earth to hunt for food or to take revenge on people who have committed sins, it is believed. The Chinese population also believes that during this month, the gates of heaven open. So, they honour their heavenly ancestors too. Therefore, the Chinese have different customs for honouring ghosts on the first day of the ghost month (the 14th or 15th day of the seventh lunar month) as well as the last day.
Interestingly, there is a similar Hindu legend which would have us believe that the king of hell, Yama, unlocks the gates of hell during the ghost month and lets a few roaming spirits enjoy the offerings. On the last day of the month, the gates are shut, sending the wild, hungry spirits back to hell.
Making the hungry ghosts happy!
The first day of the Hungary Ghost Festival is quite a spectacle! It is observed with several traditions. On the first day of the ghost festival, people burn false paper money outside their residences or businesses. They also burn paper money in fields, by the roadside and in temples and light incense while making food offerings. All this is done to please ghosts so that they do not harm or curse them. People also decorate both houses and workplaces with red paper lanterns during the festival. In addition to this, monks arrange special religious ceremonies and events in temples.
Bidding adieu to the hungry ghosts
The last day of ghost festival is also celebrated with many traditions. On this day, the Chinese believe that the gates of hell open to allow all ghosts to return. More garments and paper money are burned so the ghosts can use them in hell. The portraits and memorials of ancestors are placed back on the walls or shelves in their original places. Taoist monks recite chants to make ghosts leave their city. It is a common belief that ghosts hate the chanting sound and run to hell, screaming!
In the evening, many families light river lanterns on tiny boats. These colourful lanterns are made out of paper and wood and engraved with the names of their ancestors. People believe that as the floating river lanterns disappear, they take spirits along with them. People enjoy a night sky full of lanterns—a beautiful way to send off spirits