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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26十四/14 | 27十五/15 | 28十六/16 | 29十七/17 | 30十八/18 | 1十九/19 | 2二十/20 |
| 3廿壹/21 | 4廿二/22 | 5廿三/23 | 6廿四/24 | 7廿五/25 | 8廿六/26 | 9廿七/27 |
| 10廿八/28 | 11廿九/29 | 12三十/30 | 十壹月 (Nov) 13初壹/1 | 14初二/2 | 15初三/3 | 16初四/4 |
| 17初五/5 | 18初六/6 | 19初七/7 | 20初八/8 | 21初九/9 | 22初十/10 | 23十壹/11 |
| 24十二/12 | 25十三/13 | 26十四/14 | 27十五/15 | 28十六/16 | 29十七/17 | 30十八/18 |
| 31十九/19 | 1二十/20 | 2廿壹/21 | 3廿二/22 | 4廿三/23 | 5廿四/24 | 6廿五/25 |
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Lastest Questions and Answers
Opening small business (1 Reply ) Asked by J*** | 7/27/2021 8:03:51 PM
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
Opening a business (1 Reply ) Asked by A***a | 7/20/2021 8:17:57 PM
Can I open a business on August 6 days before the Ghost month?
Which day is it okay to resign from work this month? (1 Reply ) Asked by D***n | 9/1/2020 10:51:28 PM
I’m planning to resign from work this month but i’m scared of the ghost month. When is the auspicious date to resign? Also I’m planning to put up a...
Renovation during Ghost month (1 Reply ) Asked by D***n | 8/31/2020 1:21:54 PM
Hi, we would like to paint our living and bath room. Is it suitable to do it in Ghost month? my birthdate is 19 Aug 1982 and my partner 15 June 1991....
Moving House (1 Reply ) Asked by N***e | 8/23/2020 8:44:04 PM
Hi we will need to move this Sept, being that it's hungry ghost month what would be the best date for us please? Zodiac signs for family members:...
