Learn about some Hungry Ghost Festival facts while celebrating this annual celebration. If you live in Singapore, you probably know what the Hungry Ghost Festival is all about. While Americans have Halloween, Singaporean people have the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore
The Hungry Ghost Festival is also known as Zhong Yuan Jie in Chinese. It is one of several important festival dates of Ghost month. People celebrate it during the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Celebrants honour the ghost of their ancestors that roam during this time of the year. They also believe that the Gates of Hell open and the spirits can enter the earth.
The Hungry Ghost Festival, an extraordinary event unique to Singapore, serves as a solemn occasion to commemorate departed ancestors. This deeply rooted festival intertwines Buddhist and Taoist traditions and spans across fourteen days during the seventh month of the Lunar calendar.
Mark Your Calendar
In the year 2023, the Hungry Ghost Festival takes place from August 16 to September 14, when the spirit realm and the living world overlap.
11 Hungry Ghost Festival Facts for You and Your Kids
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1. Hungry Ghost Festival 2022
The Gates of Hell will open on August 16 to September 14 this year. On this day, Buddhists and Taoists believe that spirits can enter the earth.
2. Spirits Roam in the Streets
Once the Gates of Hell open, people believe that hungry spirits will begin roaming around the streets. Some spirits become hungry because they might not have descendants to offer food to them.
Aside from food, spirits may do several things while they are free to roam on earth. It could be observing people or visiting their descendants.
3. The Two Origin Stories
The Hungry Ghost Festival has two origin stories. The first one is the story of Mu Lian, a disciple of Buddha. Her mum is one of the hungry ghosts, and Buddha thought him how to make offerings through food and prayers.
The other story is from the Tang Dynasty, an imperial dynasty of China.
4. Activities During the Festival
There are things that people do during the Hungry Ghosts Festival:
- People, especially Singaporeans and Malaysians make offerings on the first, 15th, and last day of the month.
- Singaporeans burn the offerings in a bin. They also make and buy foods that serve as their offerings.
People are continuously doing these practices to make sure that roaming spirits would have something to eat. In that way, spirits will no longer need to go inside your home and steal food.
5. Entrepreneurs Also Make Some Offerings
Entrepreneurs believe that this festival has something to do with their businesses. Some of them believe that roamings spirits are capable to be circuit breakers of businesses. Concerning this, they will burn offerings as well.
Some business owners honour the annual festival by coming up with unique offerings to the spirits. Most would offer their bestselling goods while others line up treats like durian and fast food favourites.
6. Taboos
A taboo is something that is not acceptable to do or talk about. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, there are several taboos that people keep on observing up to this day.
If you wish to celebrate the festival with locals, we encourage you to catch up on your knowledge of Hungry Ghost Festival facts. Certain countries follow different traditions and superstitions when celebrating this annual celebration. Below are some examples:
- Avoid taking pictures of walls or narrow alleys
- Don’t leave your laundry to dry on the clothesline during the night
- Face your slippers away from your bed
- Schedule your bus or train ride before the last trip of the day
- Take pictures of the festivities during the day
Each mentioned taboo plays a role in the annual Hungry Ghost Festival. If you take note of these warnings, you might end up welcoming the spirits to stay with you.
7. Celebration Varies on Culture
The celebration varies depending on the culture. While Malaysia and Singapore have almost similar ways, other countries like Taiwan and Japan celebrate it in different ways.
Taiwanese focuses on lamps and lanterns, while Japanese people are much more focused on giving gifts.
Image Source: iStock
8. The Scariest Day
Elders believe that the 15th is the scariest day of the month. On the night of the 15th, ghosts and evil spirits will gather and they are more hungry, looking for food and entertainment.
9. Getai (Song Stage)
It is a boisterous live stage performance held during the Ghost Festival. Singaporean, Malaysian, and Indonesian celebrants often host Getai during the annual festivities.
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In Singapore, they feature beloved traditional performances during the Hungry Ghost Festival. While there, expect to witness beloved local singers honouring the celebrated event. Getai shows, an integral part of the festival, entertain both the living and the spirits. These performances encompass an array of acts including singing, dancing, traditional Chinese opera, and comedy.
10. Different Terms for the Festival
People call the festival in different terms as it has no official name. You may call it Hungry Ghost Month, the Seventh Month or even Ghost Month. However, you must keep in mind where you are in the world.
Not all countries that celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival allow the calling of different names. Because of this, we suggest you take note of where you will be celebrating this yearly event.
11. Do’s and Don’ts During The Hungry Ghost Festival
Aside from the taboos we mentioned, we want you to take note of the superstitions surrounding our Hungry Ghost Festival facts. Here are some 7th-month superstitions that you might want to know about:
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Mind Your Step: Be cautious not to step on offerings like joss sticks and food placed along paths, as it might offend the spirits.
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Reserved Seating: Refrain from occupying the first few rows at getai shows; they are reserved for visiting spirits.
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Nighttime Caution: Avoid swimming in water bodies, especially the sea, at night as it’s believed to attract spirits of the drowned.
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Whispers in the Dark: If you hear your name called at night, resist the urge to turn around, as it might be a mischievous spirit.
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Silence is Golden: Keep your voice down, as spirits can be drawn to noise just like at a lively getai concert.
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Early to Bed: Returning home before nightfall is ideal to avoid encountering wandering spirits; alternatively, find crowded places.
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Auspicious Timing: Postpone significant life events like weddings or moving houses during the festival to avert potential bad luck.
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Insect Allies: Spare flying insects, believed to be reincarnations of ancestors, from harm.
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Timely Laundry: Avoid hanging laundry out too late, as spirits might try them on, leaving behind negativity.
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Unveiled Foreheads: Leave your forehead uncovered to repel spirits; consider carrying protective stones like jade or other crystals.
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Pregnant mums and kids should avoid 7th-Month Festivals: During the festivities, expecting mum and children might attract spirits by attending the annual festivals. Because of this, locals avoid bringing their kids and pregnant wives to celebrations surrounding the event.
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Hide Your Wind Chimes: People say that wind chimes attract spirits. Two metals hitting each other could serve as an invitation to them.
Harnessing Protective Energies
Amid the festival’s myriad traditions, carrying jade is a recommended practice. This elegant gem not only boasts aesthetic allure but also harbours protective energies, shielding against unseen forces.
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If jade is inaccessible, opt for alternative protective crystals like smoky quartz, tourmaline, obsidian, or tiger’s eye.
The Hungry Ghost Festival serves as an avenue for reverence and caution, bridging the gap between the spiritual and material worlds. By respecting the customs and adhering to the guidelines, one can navigate this period with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
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