In Hong Kong, the Hungry Ghost Festival holds special significance. The festival is thought to have roots in Buddhist, Taoist and folk traditions dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907). – South China Morning Post
HONG KONG: The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most eerie celebrations in Chinese culture and falls on the 15th day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, that day is August 18.
It is not just the day itself, though – the entire seventh lunar month is considered a little spooky, as it is believed that heaven, hell and the realm of the living become intertwined.
According to Chinese folklore, the gates of hell are said to open on the first of the month, and ghosts and spirits are free to wander the earth. They are thought to be spirits without descendants or who have not been properly honoured after their death.
This has led to a practice that has now become tradition – for the whole of the month, people pay their respects to the dead to ensure they are at peace and do not cause mischief among the living.
In Hong Kong, the Hungry Ghost Festival holds special significance. The festival is thought to have roots in Buddhist, Taoist and folk traditions dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907).
During the festival, the city comes alive with vibrant rituals and community events. Public parks and temples are adorned with offerings, incense and paper effigies, creating an atmosphere of reverence and mystique.
The festival is steeped in superstition and rituals designed to show respect and to avoid the wrath of wandering spirits. The activities and beliefs associated with this festival reveal a deep-seated fear and regard for the supernatural.
During the festival, families prepare elaborate meals which are placed on altars as offerings to the spirits. These meals are meticulously arranged with empty seats at the table, symbolising the presence of unseen guests.
According to Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, this helps to satiate hungry ghosts and prevent them from causing trouble.
Burning incense and joss paper is another common practice. The fragrant smoke of the incense is thought to guide the spirits, while the joss paper, which represents gifts and money, is burned as an offering to ensure the spirits have the resources they need in the afterlife.
In Taoist and Buddhist culture, chanting scriptures and performing religious ceremonies are also meant to bring peace to the spirits and protect the living.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is also a time when numerous taboos and precautions are observed to avoid attracting or offending the spirits.
Here are five spooky superstitions that come into play during this ghostly festival.
1. Avoid the darkness
One of the most common superstitions is to avoid staying out late at night. It is believed that spirits are most active after dark, and that being out late increases the risk of bumping into one. Many people choose to stay indoors to avoid having an unsettling encounter with a spirit.
2. Say no to new beginnings
Major life events such as moving to a new house, starting a new business or getting married are generally avoided during this month. It is believed that the presence of wandering spirits can bring bad luck or negative energy to these important milestones.
3. Wardrobe woes
Wearing black and red during the festival is ill-advised. These colours are thought to attract spirits or signify bad luck. Instead, it is better to dress in neutral colours to avoid drawing unwanted attention from the supernatural realm.
4. We do not use the number four
In the Chinese language, the pronunciation of the number four is similar to the word for “death”, making it an unlucky number in general. This number is even more irksome during the Hungry Ghost Festival, and people go to great lengths to avoid it.
5. Clothes, walls and insects
Do not leave your clothes hanging outside at night, as it is believed that spirits might try on the garments and leave behind their negative energy. Standing too close to a wall is avoided as well, as ghosts are thought to like to hug walls.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a time of reverence and caution, where the living and the supernatural coexist in a delicate balance – moths and butterflies are thought to be visiting ancestors, so try not to swat them.
If you feel an odd chill or hear an unusual whisper this month, who knows? You might have just had an encounter with a wandering ghost. – South China Morning Post
