Ghost Festival

The Ghost Festival is the climax of a series of Ghost Month celebrations. This popular festival is celebrated by Chinese in many countries on the 14th or 15th night of the seventh lunar month.

In Chinese tradition the seventh month in the Chinese calendar is called the Hungry Ghost Month in which ghosts and spirits of the dead exit the lower world to visit earth. This festival is taken very seriously as the Chinese feel that, in order to have good luck in their lives, the ghosts must be satisfied. So the seventh month is when the Chinese honor the spirits of the departed.

Activities during Ghost Festival
Visitors to some areas of China can see small roadside fires where believers burn paper money and other offerings to appease the restless spirits. The burying and releasing of miniature paper boats and lanterns on water is done in areas near water to help the lost ghosts find their way. Joss sticks are burned. Prayers and offerings are made at family shrines. Spirits who do not have descendants to care for them are prayed to during this festival so that they too may experience warmth of life among the living. The 15th day of this month is felt to be an auspicious day to cook a large feast to offer to the ghosts. 15 days after this feast, the festival will be over, as the Chinese believe that the ghosts return to where they come from.