‘The Hungry Ghost Festival’ may sound taboo or too horrific to many, that’s why some prefer to call it as ‘The Festival for Departed Souls’. In accordance to the Chinese calendar, this festival - putting it lightly - happens on the 7th month of the Chinese calendar. It’s where the gates of hell are wide open and ghosts come out to roam amongst the living until the 30th day of the month.
Although the 7th month is ending very soon (9 September), it’s not too late to take precautions for things you should and should not do during this period.
Do:
1. Leave the Front Row Empty
(Image Credits: Charlie Kwan)
You may have noticed great big tents going up and thinking, “Eh, pasar malam?!” but nope, the tents are constructed as a place for festivities for the month, such as offerings and entertainment ceremonies. The front row of seats are reserved for special guests that we can’t see, so be courteous and chup your seat somewhere else!
2. Leave Food/Burning Offerings Alone
Offerings in the form of joss sticks, paper money, and food among other items, are frequently found along the roadside or in little shrines. Leave them alone as they are offerings to the dearly departed souls, and if you take them, be prepared to face the consequences.
3. Welcome Your Moth/Butterfly Friends
If you have a penchant for killing moths/butterflies whenever you see them, stop it now! During the 7th month, moths and butterflies are believed to be the souls of our loved ones returning to greet us. Not only that, but other unusual and large insects are also considered the same, so pay your respects and let them be free.
Do Not:
4. Don’t Go Out Late at Night
(Image Credits: Yourdost.com)
“Don’t go out late at night ah! Later police come catch you!” Maybe our parents used to threaten us with that, but for the 7th month, it’s extra auspicious not to stay out too late at night in case you cross paths with a ghost. If you’re menstruating, it’s safer to stay home. There are certain beliefs that say that when you’re menstruating, you’re weaker/more susceptible to be kacau-ed by these spirits.
Here’s an exclusive story from one of our PropSocial colleagues that was retold to her by an acquaintance.
“A group of girls went out to yamcha late at night, there were maybe 4 or 5 of them. One of them has a seeing eye, which means she can see ghosts and spirits. So then as they were at the yamcha place, that girl noticed there’s an old po-po lingering around nearby. She thought it was an ordinary po-po so she said hi, but then her friends asked who’s she saying hi to? So it’s not your regular granny... The other friends don’t know she has a seeing eye, but the girl tried to like, make eye contact with that po-po to ask her to leave. The po-po left eventually.
After the yamcha session they all went home and they dropped one of the girls home. As the girl walked inside her house, that friend (with the seeing eye) could see that the old po-po from just now was following the girl into her house! So all of them started shouting at the friend not to go inside yet, because there’s something following her!
Obviously the girl can’t see anything so she doesn’t know anything, but the friend with the seeing eye can see the old po-po near the girl. After a while, luckily the po-po left them alone, then the girl with the seeing eye asked her friend if she’s menstruating, and she said yes.”
5. Do Not Cover Your Forehead
Chinese belief is that your forehead contains a whole lot of ‘yang’ energy, and it’s also the place where your Qi (life energy) is concentrated at, therefore, it’s best to show off your forehead! Covering it may subdue your energy and attract the spirits to you.
6. Don’t Turn Your Head If Someone Pats You On The Shoulder
The belief is that on each of your shoulders are 2 protective elements of fire. Particularly during this month, if someone taps you on the shoulder, turn your whole body instead of your head. The reason being when you turn your head, you potentially snuff out 1 of the protective flames, making you more vulnerable.
7. Avoid Swimming/Water-Related Activities
However, this is not an excuse not to take a bath. During the 7th month, avoid swimming in deep bodies of water as there are certain water spirits, demons, or ghosts of those who have died from drowning who are keen to drag victims down underwater to join them. Likewise, try not to engage in water activities or even more, going to a pool/ocean at night.
Conclusion:
There are many more do’s and don’ts out there, but we’ve rounded up the most interesting ones! We’ve got so many ghost stories to share but maybe we’ll save that for another day. Do you have an interesting ‘7th month’ story to share like our colleagues?
(Written by: Ashley Ooi, 5th September 2018)
