Candles, joss-sticks and food offerings
Burning paper offerings at night
Offerings of food and ashes of burnt paper offerings
Fruits, biscuits and sweets offered to the wandering spirits during the day timeThe Chinese Ghost Festival or Yu-Lan Festival (盂蘭節), is celebrated today. It is also called "Half July" (Lunar) and Zhong Yuan (中元) Festival.It is a popular occasion celebrated throughout China on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It falls on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Lunar calendar. The Cantonese celebrate it a day earlier on the 14th.
Chinese of the Taoist and Buddhist faiths perform certain rituals to keep the ghosts happy. Most people will carry the prayers out in the streets during the day time and at night. They will prepare food like rice, rice wine, bean sprouts, taufu, fruits, dried longan, sweets and peanuts to serve to the ghosts. They will also light a pair of red candles and joss sticks as offerings to the ghosts. Also different types of joss paper are burned. These joss paper are representative of currency for the ghosts.
My neighbour in Sitiawan does her offerings to the ghosts during the day time but my mum will carry out this ritual at night when nightime falls. She will burn the incense in front of the door of our household. The Chinese believe that the more incense burnt , the better, for the amount of incense stands for the degree of prosperity.
In some places, people flow water lanterns. Such lanterns are made by setting a lotus flower-shaped lantern on a piece of board. According to the Chinese tradition, the lanterns are used to direct the ghosts. Ghosts find their way back when the lanterns are out. In the temples, Chinese operas are also staged to entertain the wandering spirits during this period.
BELIEFS ABOUT THE GHOST FESTIVAL MONTH
- The Chinese believe that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost might cause one to drown in the swimming pool.
- Children (and even adults) are advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children and those who are weak-spirited.
- The Chinese also do a lot of offerings to the deceased. These offerings are made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as ‘hell money’ and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses and cars to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in the nether world.
- The Chinese regard the 15th of the month as an important date to give a feast to the ghosts. On this date, the family will cook a lot of dishes and offer them to the deceased. This is done to please the ghosts and also to gain good luck for the family.
- 15 days after the feast, the festival will be over and the Chinese believe that the holiday for the ghosts will be over and they have to return to the underworld. The gates of Hell are said to close on the last day of the 7th month.
- The Chinese believe that the 7th month is one of excessive yin and therefore one should not wear black coloured clothing to avoid absorbing negative energy into their bodies.
- It is not a good time to attend funerals, visit the sick or attend any ‘yin’ celebration.
- The 7th month is a good time to do some charity work and take vegetarian meals on the 1st and 15th day.
- Many Chinese people claim that there are more disasters and accidents during the 7th month. They also claim that more people fall sick more frequentnly during this period.
- The Chinese also try not to wear black clothing during this month. Instead they are advised by their elders to wear bright colours to boost yang energy.
- If one goes out at night during this month and they hear their names being called, then do not respond immediately. Check to see if there is really someone calling before answering. The caller might be a ghost.
REFERENCES
http://www.paohua.org/yulan.html
http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/ghost.htm
http://www.essortment.com/all/hungryghostfes_rjkb.htm
SOURCE FOR FIRST AND SECOND PICTURES
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