What is The Ghost Month?

The first day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar is the beginning of Ghost Month in Chinese culture.  It usually falls between August and September on the Gregorian Calendar. Here are the dates for the Ghost Month and the Ghost Festival starting this year.

2023 – August 16 to September 14. The Ghost Festival is on August 30.

2024 – August 4 to September 9. The Ghost Festival falls on August 18.

2025 – August 23 to September 21. The Ghost Festival is on September 6.

 

On the day of the Ghost Festival, people will see food offerings on the tables in residential and commercial areas.  Temples will host praying ceremonies along with food offerings, and burning fake paper money/Joss Paper, and incense.  Food and paper money are symbols to feed the spirits and provide them money to use during Ghost Month.

The highlight of Ghost Month is the celebration on the 15th day. This day, in Mandarin, is known as “Zhōng yuán jié 中元節 | 中元节”  (Buddhism), “yú lán (pén) jié 盂蘭(盆)節｜盂兰（盆）节” (Taoism) in China and Taiwan.  Hong Kong adopts the English name, Hungry Ghost Festival. Freesia, a native of Hong Kong, shared with us that people call this festival Yu Lan Festival – Yu Lan Jie 盂蘭節 in Hong Kong. 

 

What are the Taboos for Ghost Month?

Ghost Month in Chinese is “guǐ yuè –  鬼月”.  There are quite a few taboos.

What are the ones that most Chinese know?

• People should avoid swimming in the river, lake, ocean…

• Do not whistle and hang a wind chime.

• Weddings should not be held during this time.

• Moving or buying a house is prohibited.

These are common practices.  However, many younger Chinese no longer take them seriously.  Therefore, you see many deep-discount deals for wedding photography packages, wedding banquets, and honeymoon travel. Young Chinese couples would tie the knot during this month if there is no objection from the parents and grandparents.

 

What are some more things you should know about Ghost Month and Festival?

• The worshipping on the Ghost Festival is called “Zhong Yuan Pudu –  中元普渡.”

• You will hear people use the term, “Good brothers – hǎo xiōng dì – 好兄弟” to call the spirits/ghosts.

• Time for Ghost Month and festival worshipping ceremonies – “Zhong Yuan Pudu” avoids the time before noon due to the strong morning sun. The bright sun is strong “yáng qì – 陽氣”, many believe that the spirits are afraid of it.

• All worship events for Ghost Month need to be outdoors.

• The Three Meat dishes for worship ceremonies during Lunar New Year, Qing Ming Festival, and Zhong Yuan Jie (Ghost Festival) are whole chicken, pork, and whole fish. The arrangement for these three dishes is to place the pork in the middle, the whole chicken on the left of the pork, and the whole fish on the right of the pork.  See the graphic below + a coloring page download.

• There is a term for the three animals used above, that is, “sān shēng – 三牲” which literally means Three Animals.

• Rice, snacks, drinks, and fruit are common food offerings for the Zhong Yuan Pude ceremony. However, in Taiwan, people avoid using pineapples, pears, and bananas for the pronunciation of these fruit in the Taiwanese language sounds like “come – lái-來|来.”  The known regional belief is that it sounds like an invitation to the “good brothers” to one’s home or follow someone.

• The first day of the lunar seventh month is known as the day that “Ghost Gate Opens – guǐ mén kāi –  鬼門開 | 鬼门开“.

• The day that “Ghost Gate closes – guǐ mén guān – 鬼門關| 鬼门关” is the last day of the lunar seventh month.

• Ghost Month is guǐ yuè –  鬼月which literally means Ghost Month.

• The Ghost Festival worshipping ceremony is Zhōng Yuán Pú Dù – 中元普渡.

• Worshipping in Chinese is Bài Bài – 拜拜.

• Keep in mind – Chinese People do NOT say Happy Ghost Festival.

 

 

With Halloween getting popular in Asia, Ghost Month is more fun for kids than scary in recent years.

Ghost Month is a tradition in China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, as well as for Taoists and Buddhists. 

 

Ghost Festival Around the World

Countries that have similar customs during this time include Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

• Japanese Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. 

• Korean Baekjung is a Buddhist festival of the dead.

•  Vietnamese Tết Trung Nguyên is viewed as a time for the pardoning of condemned souls who are released from hell.  

Questions for Young Cultural Detectives

• Are there any similarities between Ghost Month, Halloween, and the Day of the Dead?

• What are some differences?

• What do you think about this taboo: No swimming in the pool, river, lake, ocean… during this time?  Do you think there is a reason for that?

As we dive deeper into a culture, we guide kids to be more curious about the world they live in. It helps learners to connect further with the Chinese/target language.

More Stories about Chinese Ghost Months Tradition and Stories

Teaching resources for July, August, and November

Halloween, Day of the Dead, and the Chinese Ghost Month

Teaching resources for August – September

The Mid Autumn Festival a.k.a. The Moon Festival 

A Story about the Mid Autumn Festival – Early Chinese Literacy and Culture Literacy Building 

 

 

Chinese Ghost Festival | Ghost Month | Hungry Ghost Festival | Chinese Ghost Festival | Ghost Month | Hungry Ghost Festival | Chinese Ghost Festival

post updated: August 2023