People burn joss paper and pretend banknotes as these are considered to have value in the afterlife. The supermarkets sell packs of the money as well as replica gold bars. Food and drink offerings are also made and many supermarkets have hampers made up representing things like health, harmony and prosperity.
It certainly makes it a hard time to walk our dog Jess in the mornings as she is quite partial to the many food offerings that are in the streets!
On the fourteenth day of the of the seventh month a large family feast is held for the ghosts. Families leave an empty seat at the table for the ghosts as well as many samples of food are placed on an offering table to keep the ghosts happy as well as to keep bad luck at bay.
During the month the ghosts are also seeking entertainment so many communities put on live shows called Getai in which Chinese operas and dramas are performed. The front rows of the temporary outdoor stages are left vacant for the ghosts to watch the shows.
Other superstitions that are followed during this month include - not buying property and also not swimming as you may be held down in the water by the ghosts.
To make sure all the hungry ghosts find their way back to hell, at the end of the month people float water lanterns and set them outside their houses. The lanterns are used to direct the ghosts back to the hell and when they go out, it symbolises that they have found their way back.
It certainly makes it a hard time to walk our dog Jess in the mornings as she is quite partial to the many food offerings that are in the streets!
On the fourteenth day of the of the seventh month a large family feast is held for the ghosts. Families leave an empty seat at the table for the ghosts as well as many samples of food are placed on an offering table to keep the ghosts happy as well as to keep bad luck at bay.
During the month the ghosts are also seeking entertainment so many communities put on live shows called Getai in which Chinese operas and dramas are performed. The front rows of the temporary outdoor stages are left vacant for the ghosts to watch the shows.
Other superstitions that are followed during this month include - not buying property and also not swimming as you may be held down in the water by the ghosts.
To make sure all the hungry ghosts find their way back to hell, at the end of the month people float water lanterns and set them outside their houses. The lanterns are used to direct the ghosts back to the hell and when they go out, it symbolises that they have found their way back.
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Offerings for the ghosts |
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Paper money burning in our apartment complex |
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Offerings in the street |
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Money for burning and offering gifts in the supermarket |
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A "wealth" package for the offering table |
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