The Ghost Festival, also known as Zhongyuan Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival, is one of the most important traditional observances in Chinese culture. Falling on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, it is a time to honor ancestors, seek blessings, and show respect to wandering spirits believed to return to the human world when the gates of the underworld temporarily open. Over time, a number of customs and taboos have taken shape, offering guidance on how to stay safe and respectful during this period.
Travel and Outdoor Taboos
- Avoid late-night outings – Night is considered a time when yin energy is strongest, especially after midnight. Wandering outdoors then is believed to increase the risk of encountering restless spirits.
- Do not step on offerings or paper money – Items burned or placed along the road are meant for spirits. Disrespecting them could bring misfortune.
- Stay away from walls – Walls are seen as places where spirits like to linger, so leaning or resting against them is discouraged.
- Avoid rivers, lakes, and remote areas – Water and secluded landscapes are thought to gather heavy yin energy, making them unsafe during this time.
- Refrain from calling someone’s full name at night – Doing so may attract unwanted attention from wandering souls.
Home and Behavioral Taboos
- Do not dry clothes outside at midnight – Damp clothing is thought to attract spiritual energy, which could be carried back into the home.
- Avoid whistling, wind chimes, or bells – These sounds are believed to draw spirits closer, inviting them into the household.
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice – This resembles incense offerings, symbolically inviting spirits to share your meal.
- Do not eat offerings before rituals are complete – These foods are dedicated to ancestors and spirits, and consuming them too early shows disrespect.
- Avoid patting someone on the shoulder – In folklore, a person’s shoulders and head hold protective “fires.” Patting may dim that protective energy.
- Do not pick up coins or money on the street – Such items may be offerings or symbolic “spirit money,” and taking them could invite bad luck.
Ritual and Verbal Taboos
- Approach rituals with sincerity – Show respect during ceremonies; avoid casual talk, laughter, or improper behavior.
- Avoid using the word “ghost” directly – Many prefer respectful terms such as “good brothers” or “wandering souls” to show courtesy.
- Do not make jokes or play spirit-summoning games – These are considered dangerous, as inviting a spirit may not be as simple as sending it away.
Other Life Considerations
- Avoid weddings, moving house, or opening a business – Joyous occasions are thought to clash with the solemn nature of the festival.
- Do not stay up excessively late – Preserving your energy and vitality is believed to keep one safe during this spiritually sensitive time.
A Festival of Reverence
While the Ghost Festival carries a sense of solemnity, it is ultimately about respect—showing gratitude to ancestors, extending compassion to wandering souls, and safeguarding harmony in daily life. Observing these traditional rules allows people not only to feel secure but also to stay connected to centuries of cultural wisdom.