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Ghost Festival Guide
Understanding the traditions of honoring ancestors and appeasing spirits during the 7th lunar month.
What is Ghost Festival?
Ghost Festival (中元节) falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. It's believed that the gates of the underworld open during this time, allowing spirits to visit the living world.
- • Honors ancestors and departed family members
- • Shows compassion to hungry ghosts
- • Family members return to receive offerings
- • A time for remembrance and filial piety
Traditional Customs
🏮 Offering Food
Prepare special dishes for ancestors on a family altar
🪙 Burning Joss Paper
Burn paper money for ancestors to use in the afterlife
🕯️ Lighting Lanterns
Lanterns guide spirits back home safely
🌸 Releasing Water Lanterns
Floating lanterns on rivers for lost spirits
Food Offerings
- • Fruits: Oranges, apples, peaches
- • Rice dishes: Favorite dishes of ancestors
- • Dim sum: Dumplings, buns, pastries
- • Tea and wine: For toasting ancestors
- • Joss paper: Spirit money folded in offerings
- • Incense: To communicate with spirits
Etiquette Guidelines
- • Bow before the altar respectfully
- • Avoid stepping on offerings or burning paper
- • Don't turn your back to the altar
- • Speak gently and reverently
- • Avoid swimming or water activities (spirits drown)
- • Don't hang laundry outside at night
- • Avoid whistling or calling names after dark
Regional Variations
- • Hong Kong: Confucian rituals and opera performances
- • Taiwan: Water lantern floating on rivers
- • Malaysia/Singapore: Hungry Ghost Festival month-long events
- • Northern China: Family ancestor worship at graves
Honoring Ancestors
Ghost Festival teaches us to remember those who came before us. Through offerings and respect, we maintain the bond between generations and honor the cycle of life and death.