What Do Chinese Do During Hungry Ghost Festival?

I don't know much about Hungry Ghost Festival and have never celebrate it all my life. Even my family doesn't celebrate it. Although, I think it meant for Taoism and Buddhism. My parents are Buddhist but we never celebrate it so I never know how it works. I believe my grandma celebrates it but she lives in Labuan so I never got the chance to see it too. Anyway, since my mom's getting older, she seems to believe all these. Personally, I don't think she should but what can you say to elderly? Maybe we will be like them when we grew old. Hmm...I don't think I will. I may become more spiritual but not superstitious.

All I know from my mom is that this month is unauspicious to do things like moving house, get marry, renovation etc and she was against me doing all these. As a non believer and non practiser, I did a minor renovation to my house, move in this month, move in my sofa and basically everything my mom said I shouldn't do. Why should I follow as a Christian? I still see my neighbours doing their renovation during this time and it's still difficult to get the contractors to come by my house during this month because they are very busy. I did all these without my mom knowledge, I just want to avoid unneccsary confrontation. Luckily, I have a very sporty and open-minded dad. He's been working overseas for as long as I can remember. Enough said about me.

During the 15th day of 7th month in the Chinese calendar, I see a lot of colourful flags with chinese word on it put up along roads or streets. I see it a lot at Chinese majority suburbs or business areas. I don't know what the flag meant but my sister told me it meant for the ghosts. Is it true? How is it meant for the ghosts? The flags will remain there for 1 month. During this time, some Chinese colleagues will go home early or before darkness fall. I asked them why and they said they don't want to encounter any unearthly spirit that follow them home. They also said during this month the unearthly spirits are more powerful. Well, not every Chinese follow this because when I was in multi-national companys, I have never seen any of my colleagues did such thing. I guess when you're in a typical GLC company, everyone in it is supertistious and orthodox.

Next in the list is I will see an entertainment stage build at Chinese suburbs which majority of Taoism and Buddhism families living there. The stage is quite big and impressive with colourful decoration. I was told this is the time they please the wandering ghosts with entertainment and offerings. There will be performances every night and families will gather to watch the performance. Few years ago I show an opera show on stage when I was on the way home. It was impressive although I only watched for a few minutes. I was told the first row of the seats should be kept empty. It's reserved for the wandering spirits. Now I know why in Canto scary movies ghost appeared in the first row.

Next, it's never steps on the burnt offerings or paper money because it's consider bad luck. Your spirit might step into the under world. Don't eat delicacies used for offerings. I told my friend that should be easy as it's place on the street outside the house but my friend told me some families did their prayers and offerings at their home and family members should not eat food offer to the ghosts. One will fall sick if break the rule. Well, not all are scary during Hungry Ghost Festival. It's also a month where younger generation offering prayers, food and worldly gifts to their ancestors as a respect. The younger generation take time to remember their ancestors and families who have left them. This is a tradition event to some Chinese families.