In China, the Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival is observed annually, typically in August. This year’s date is August 30. It is a particular Chinese custom to honour their progenitors. Taoism, a popular folk religion, includes holidays commemorating the deceased and their ghosts. These spirits may be thousands or even millions of years old. According to popular belief, entities visit during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. People are typically required to take special precautions and perform specific ceremonies for this event. The festival is celebrated by numerous individuals across the nation. This tradition is still practised today.
The background of Spirit Festival
Typically, Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Typically, this day occurs in August on our Western calendar. People in China traditionally observe this holiday. The Ghost Festival is one of the numerous traditional festivals in China dedicated to ancestor veneration. The Spring Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, and the Qingming Festival are additional festivals.
During the Ghost Festival, distinctive ceremonies are performed to appease the spirits. People are known to ignite incense while placing the family’s ancestral tablets on a table and preparing three meals per day.
During the main ceremony, which is typically conducted at dusk, they place food on the table for the ghosts. Here, people kowtow and confess their behaviour to their ancestors in hopes of receiving either a blessing or a punishment. This evening is also known for its feasts. Sometimes, a seat is left at the table for a deceased ancestor.
On the first day of Hungry Ghost Month, some Chinese believe that the realms of the living, Heaven, and Hell are opened, releasing the spirits of Chinese ancestors. The seventh lunar month has been considered by the Chinese to be the most terrifying month of the year for millennia. The entities are believed to roam in search of amusement and sustenance. During this season, many Chinese individuals with a dread of water avoid swimming. They also avoid being alone at night for fear of being attacked by an enemy apparition.
In other Asian nations where this festival is celebrated, everyone is invited to attend live performances. However, they typically avoid sitting in the front row, as they believe that only spirits are permitted there.
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SPIRIT FESTIVAL DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | August 12 | Friday |
2023 | August 17 | Thursday |
2024 | August 18 | Sunday |
2025 | September 6 | Saturday |
2026 | August 27 | Thursday |