Ghost Month 2011

Do I look like a ghost here? LOL

Today marks the first day of the Ghost month (鬼月) an annual occasion that falls on the 7th lunar month lasting for 30 days. The 15th day of this month is regarded as Hungry ghost festival (盂兰盆)

Some Chinese and Asians believe that the first day of this month signifies the opening of the gates of hell and heaven to allow ghosts to mix among the mortals,seek food & entertainment and some even think they seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives.These roaming ghosts are mostly ancestors of those who forgot to pay tribute to them after they died, or those who were never given a proper ritual send-off. The main reason why people celebrate this is to remember their dead relatives and pay tribute to them. Families also pay tribute to other unknown wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls do not intrude on their lives and bring misfortune. 

 On the 15th night of the 7th lunar month which is August 14 this year the gates from the other world are on their widest. That means this is the time when the ghosts have their biggest field day on earth during their annual summer vacation (in lay man's term). Since ghosts are everywhere, living people would prepare sumptuous meals for them. They feel that they have to satisfy the ghosts in order to get good fortune. Some would offer prayers to the deceased relatives, burn paper money, paper houses, paper transportation, paper accessories and incense in front of their homes. Giving the ghost such necessities would enable them to live comfortably when they go back their own world on the 30th day of the 7th lunar month (August 28 this year) which also corresponds to the shutting down of the spirits' portal gates. 

Having ghosts freely roaming around is definitely not an auspicious sign. So traditionally there are many superstitious belief related to this period. Being a Christian I don't believe on such stuffs but still I regard it as a cultural thing partly because of our Chinese ancestry in Cebu where most of the Chinese immigrants settled during the pre-Spanish colonization. It really feels good to trace back one's roots and as for me it's my way of keeping in touch with the rich heritage of my great grandparents. Anyways here's the list one can consider doing or not during this month:

Nos:

1, No wedding because couples will have bad ending. Some bad ghost may cast a bad spell on couples during their wedding

2, No commencement of business

3, No commencement of construction projects

4, No relocation of residence

Don'ts:

5, Don’t wear clothes that has your name tag, so ghosts won’t remember who you are.(I still remember last year (during the ghost month) I'm on my hospital duty graveyard shift and I have my name tag pinned on my uniform, all I keep doing during our free time is to throw some funny ghost stories. Still nothing awkward happened)

6, Don’t call others by their full name when you are in a deserted place so ghosts won’t identify them.

7, Don’t answer if someone calls you when you are in a deserted place.

8, Don’t pat anyone on the shoulder, because you may extinguish his or her life fires (one on the head top and two over the shoulders), which would make this person more vulnerable before ghosts.

9, Don’t take photos at night, so you won't find yourself having a party with ghosts in pictures.

10, Don’t light your touch towards trees, as you may disturb the ghosts. Roaming ghosts are known to love resting on tree tops during dark hours just like homeless men often take shelter on park benches at night.

11, Don’t whistle when you pass by a cemetery, instead you should keep saying "excuse me" as you would in a crowded street.

12, Don’t forget to wear blessed pedants, so you can drive ghosts away from you.

13, Don’t leave your clothes drying outside after dark. Roaming ghosts may think they are donated items.

14, Don’t lean on a wall because that’s what ghosts normally do. If you stand side by side with them, they may take you as a good buddy and keep following you around.

15, Don’t hang bells in front of your house – the sound will call for a congregation of ghosts.

16, Don’t pick up money on the road - it might be left there by ghosts. It's a bad idea to steal something from a ghost.

17, Don’t wear clothes in black or red color when you go out at night, these colors have special meanings in the yin world and the ghosts may get over-excited.