This month – 31 July to 28 August 2011 – is Ghost Month.
During this month the Gates of Hell are opened to allow the ghosts and spirits out to visit their families, to feast and to look for victims and capture souls. For many people this is a very dangerous time of the year and many plans are made for safety. Your ancestors must be honoured in various ways and very importantly, offerings need to be made to ghosts without families, so they will not harm you or your family. This is also called the Inauspicious Month. Walking around in the evening, starting businesses, getting married or travelling should be avoided. Swimming is also not a good idea as some spirits could try and drown you.
Many ritual activities are performed to worship the ancestors. Food is offered, incense burnt, joss paper is burnt as well as plastic or paper material look-alike items of clothes, gold, possessions and money. Sometimes some food is offered at the side of the road with the incense, but sometimes meals are served to the ancestors at the table with empty chairs.
Another activity is the making or buying and releasing small paper boats and lanterns to give directions to the lost ghosts and spirits.
Sometimes live performances are held, which anyone may attend, as long as nobody but the ghosts sit on the front row of seats. The shows are always at night and very noisy as this is pleasing to the ghosts.
The Ghost Month has 3 important dates.
On the first day (31/7/2011) offerings of food, incense and ghost money are made. These offerings are done on the side of the road.
On the 15th (14/8/2011) day is the Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival. The spirits need a big feast to please them and to bring luck to the family. Both the Taoists and Buddhists perform ceremonies on this day to please the ancestors or ease the sufferings of the deceased.
On the last day of the month (28/8/2011) the Gates of Hell are closed again. The Taoist priests will chant to make it known to the spirits that they have to return to the underworld. The spirits are likely to let out unearthly wails of lament.
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