The Hungry Ghost Festival
Notice those red metal bins with burning paper scattered around residential areas and housing estates? Don’t freak out on me – but you’re now shoulder-to-shoulder with countless roaming spirits. In this article, learn about the Hungry Ghost Festival also known as Zhong Yuan Jie in Chinese) in Singapore and the taboos associated with it, so you don’t accidentally bring a 'friend' back home with you!
What is the Hungry Ghost Festival?
According to Chinese beliefs, the gates of hell open every year on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar’s 7th month. The gates remain open for a month. And during this period, hungry ghosts, dead ancestors, and spirits trapped in between the living and spiritual realm wander the face of the earth amongst humans.
How is the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrated?
Buddhists and Taoists celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival through the performance of rituals, to pray and honor the dead.
Here’s a rough guide to some of the rituals practiced in Singapore:
The lighting of joss sticks – The lit joss sticks signal to the spirits to let them know that the items (typically food) are meant for them.
Burning of paper items – Chinese believe that the burning of joss paper (paper money) and paper effigies (such as houses, cars, and clothes) can provide the same worldly comforts to the dead.
The offering of food items – The 7th month is the only time of the year where the spirits are allowed to fill their bellies, which is why real food is laid out for them.
Taboos and superstitions of the Hungry Ghost Festival
While roaming spirits typically don't cause any trouble to the living, you could run into some bad luck if you do the following:
Kicking or picking up offerings -Make sure you apologize if you disturb any offerings! While it’s not illegal, think about it: how would you like it if someone kicked your meal?
Sticking your chopsticks upright into a bowl of food – Upright chopsticks resemble lit joss sticks. You don't want to unknowingly invite a ghost to share your bowl of fried rice now, do you?
Avoid hanging near water bodies - Spirits are fond of drowning people; this gives them a chance to be reincarnated in a new body.
And that's it: you can finally walk past a pile of burnt paper without wondering why it's still there, even though it's been there for ages. Just watch your step – don't bring a ghost home with you! Your housemates would not be pleased, especially if they're making their beer cocktail or chowing down on a late-night McDonald’s supper!
