Chinese Ghost Month
What's Ghost Month?
→ Can You Move House During Ghost Month?
→ Can You Get Married During Ghost Month?
→ Taboos to Avoid during Hungry Ghost Month
| Year | Ghost Month | Date of Ghost Festival |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 16th - September 14th | August 30th |
| 2024 | August 4th - September 2nd | August 18th |
| 2025 | August 23rd - September 21st | September 6th |
| 2026 | August 13th - September 10st | August 27th |
Background
Most people in ancient China believed in ghosts and gods. Legend has it that anyone who dies normally could reincarnate while those who are guilty or die accidentally would become ghosts wandering in the mortal world. Some evil spirits even seize the opportunity to disturb the living souls, causing their death in disasters and accidents. As a result, people who die unexpectedly during this period are regarded "have been taken away by ghosts".
People believe that holding sacrifice ceremony for these spirits would help them to escape from hell at an early date and prevent them from disturbing the living beings. Therefore, Chinese people would hold sacrifice ceremony and burn money at the roadside in the month to worship the ghosts, which become the customs like "setting lanterns" and "worshipping good brothers".
Since the sacrifice ceremony has the meaning of praying for safety, Chinese people also invite theatrical troupes to play for gods and entertain guests at open-air banquets in addition to worshipping the "good brothers" with substantial offerings at the Ghost Festival, also Zhongyuan Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Nowadays, China encourages frugality; the folk customs are improved and the sacrifice ceremony is simplified.
Ancient Chinese people believed natural and man-made disasters were frequent in the 7th lunar month, during which they had fears. Hence, the cultural custom of avoid anything in this month is formed. In modern society, many taboos fail to stand the test of time but some are still unexplainable with science.
Sacrificial Activities
Gate of Hell Opened
For private houses, the Gate of Hell is open on the first day of the Ghost Month, on which ghosts come out to the mortal world and the sacrifice ceremony, grand or simple, is required. The grand sacrifice ceremony means offering a good meal while the simple means preparing some fruits and desserts to show respect. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. This kind of sacrifice ceremony implies bringing me no trouble once eating my food.
For private houses, the Gate of Hell is open on the first day of the Ghost Month, on which ghosts come out to the mortal world and the sacrifice ceremony, grand or simple, is required. The grand sacrifice ceremony means offering a good meal while the simple means preparing some fruits and desserts to show respect. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. This kind of sacrifice ceremony implies bringing me no trouble once eating my food.
Gate of Heaven Opened
For public places, the Gate of Hell is open on the second day of the Ghost Month. In ancient times, shops and government offices held the sacrifice ceremony one day after the private houses to pray for safety and no mysterious case in the month.
Zhongyuan Festival
Zhongyuan Festival, also Ghost Festival, falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. In the night (early morning and late night), ghosts get together and evil spirits reach the peak. On this very day, people would burn money and invoke ancestors and ghosts with sacrifice. Likewise, public places sacrifice on the next day, i.e. the 16th day of the 7th lunar month.
Gate of Hell Closed
On the last day of the 7th lunar month, the Gate of Hell is closed and ghosts go back to the hell from vacation. People offer sacrifice on this day to pray for safety in the rest of days.
Do's and Don'ts
In the Ghost Month, evil spirits reach the peak. According to the legend of scapegoat, children, senior citizens, weak or sensitive people should not go out at night, or they will be attacked by the evil spirits. Also, you should keep away from entering the water, especially sea. In short, you should stay away from risks and supernatural games, especially in the night of Ghost Festival.
→ Taboos to Avoid during Hungry Ghost Month
Some people often take items to avoid evil spirits with them, such as amulet, prayer beads, coarse salt, glutinous rice, cross and lodestone with particular energy. It is better to believe the function of these items as long as your normal life is not affected. For many people, they can feel at ease regardless of the effect.
Chinese Calendar
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30廿五/25 | 1廿六/26 | 2廿七/27 | 3廿八/28 | 4廿九/29 | 5三十/30 | 六月 (Jun) 6初壹/1 |
| 7初二/2 | 8初三/3 | 9初四/4 | 10初五/5 | 11初六/6 | 12初七/7 | 13初八/8 |
| 14初九/9 | 15初十/10 | 16十壹/11 | 17十二/12 | 18十三/13 | 19十四/14 | 20十五/15 |
| 21十六/16 | 22十七/17 | 23十八/18 | 24十九/19 | 25二十/20 | 26廿壹/21 | 27廿二/22 |
| 28廿三/23 | 29廿四/24 | 30廿五/25 | 31廿六/26 | 1廿七/27 | 2廿八/28 | 3廿九/29 |
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Lastest Questions and Answers
Renovations during ghost month and moving into a new house in September (0 Reply ) Asked by P***3
Hi! Me and my family were supposed to move-in our new house in August but decided to hold that off yet because of ghost month (august 4-September 2). Is it also not advisable to do minor renovations in the house like an extension of roof/gate, etc. during ghost month? Are there any auspicious days during the ghost month we can safely do our renovations? Is it also okay to move our furniture inside the house in August as well, if not, what are the auspicious days during that month when we can have our furniture delivered? Dad- Tiger Me- Pig Sister 1- Dog Sister 2- Rabbit Aunt- Snake. Thanks!
Auspicious date for resignation from work (0 Reply ) Asked by M***g
Hi, my birth date is September 8, 1992. I intend to resign before the Ghost Month so that my last day at work will be around the first week of or mid September (required to render at least 30 day notice). What are the auspicious dates for my submission of resignation letter? Thanks
Auspicious date to resign in August 2024 (0 Reply ) Asked by S***l
Hi, my birthdate is September 1978. I already informed my superiors of my resignation, however, I need to indicate my last day of service which will fall in August 2024 on a Ghost Month. Kindly advise what are the possible dates of my last day from service? Thank you very much.
Resigning from a job during ghost month (2 Replies ) Asked by p***u
Hi, my birthday is on August 21, 1992. I plan to resign from my job. However, I need to render 30-day service. My last day will fall on Ghost Month. Can you let me know if there are dates that I can resign? Thank you very much.
Opening small business (1 Reply ) Asked by J***
Hi, What is the best date to open small grocery business during ghost month or August month to avoid unlucky day. I’m born in July15,1980, thank you
