Cover During the period of the Hungry Ghost month, spirits are said to be freed from hell to roam the mortal realm (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
During the period of the Hungry Ghost month, spirits are said to be freed from hell to roam the mortal realm (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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In the seventh month of the lunar year, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, ghosts and spirits are said to cross over from hell into the realm of the living
The Hungry Ghost Festival (zhongyuan jie in Chinese), which marks the opening of the Gates of Hell, is a traditional Taoist and Buddhist festival celebrated in certain Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. This is when ghosts and spirits, including deceased ancestors, enjoy a ‘vacation’ in the human world as they wander around searching for food and entertainment or visiting the living.
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According to the Chinese calendar, the festival officially falls on the 15th night of the seventh month, but the ‘festivities’ are a month-long affair. During this month, believers would prepare food offerings, burn incense and joss paper, and paper-mâché form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods to pay homage to the deceased and appease them. As it’s considered an inauspicious month, some may also adhere strictly to superstitions and beliefs to avoid encountering ‘bad luck’.
Whether you're superstitious or not, here are some things that you may want to avoid doing during the month-long festival.
1. Stay out late/in the dark
Above As much as possible, avoid nighttime activities during the Hungry Ghost month (Photo: Unsplash)
As much as possible, avoid nighttime activities during the Hungry Ghost month (Photo: Unsplash)
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Similar to what you see in the movies, ghosts and spirits thrive in the dark and are at their strongest at night because the yin energy from the moon strengthens them. During the seventh month, they’re free to loiter in the living world and they’re said to prey on unsuspecting victims at night, especially children and pregnant women. Hence, it’s best to get home before sunset and avoid nighttime activities.
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They’re also believed to loiter around dark, shaded areas such as at a bus stop or under a tree so avoid those—and while you’re at it, postpone jungle trekking, hiking, or camping.
2. Sing or whistle when you're out alone at night
Above Stroll silently after sunset during the Hungry Ghost month because whistling and singing attract unwanted attention (Photo: Getty Images)
Stroll silently after sunset during the Hungry Ghost month because whistling and singing attract unwanted attention (Photo: Getty Images)
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Have the tendency of whistling or singing when you're walking alone at night? You might want to drop that habit over the period of the Hungry Ghost month. It’s believed that ghosts and spirits are attracted to joyful sounds and may take your 'performance' as an invitation to interact with you. Best to stroll silently after sunset unless you want a supernatural stalker to follow you home.
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3. Disturb the offerings
Above Watch where you step as believers would prepare food offerings and burn incense for the deceased (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Watch where you step as believers would prepare food offerings and burn incense for the deceased (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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It’s common to see temporary prayer altars erected to pay respects and extend offerings for the deceased by the streets or in the corner of a walking path. At no point should you insult, touch, step, or kick these offerings–ever. Should you have done so by accident, offer an apology quickly; otherwise, a spirit might get offended and follow you home.
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4. Engage in water-related activities
Above Go swimming during the day unless you want to risk being pulled in and under by vengeful ghosts (Photo: Pexels)
Go swimming during the day unless you want to risk being pulled in and under by vengeful ghosts (Photo: Pexels)
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Mischievous spirits and vengeful ghosts are said to linger in water, waiting to claim a victim to take their place in order to get a chance at reincarnation. So if you happen to be swimming or engaging in any water sports, they might try to pull you underwater. If you must go swimming, go during the day. Avoid the sea or any travel by sea at all costs.
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5. Take photos at night
Above If you take pictures at ungodly hours, you might capture more than intended (Photo: GMM Pictures)
If you take pictures at ungodly hours, you might capture more than intended (Photo: GMM Pictures)
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Cameras accidentally capturing strange orbs or ghostly figures and faces are not new occurrences, much more so in the 30 days when beings from the underworld are free to be among the living. Photos and videos are also known to ‘trap’ spirits (Shutter, anyone?) or invite them to associate with you. So if you don’t want your selfie to turn into a wefie, it’s best you avoid taking pictures at night. Yes, that Instastory/TikTok can wait till daybreak.
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6. Sit in the front row at street performances
Above During the Hungry Ghost month, loud and vibrant getai performances are thrown to appease wandering spirits
Makeshift stages and tents would be set up for Chinese opera performances and getais (concert-like stage shows), held side-by-side with prayer altars, to ‘entertain’ the wandering ghosts and spirits. The front row seats at these shows, usually left vacant, are specially reserved for the ‘unseen’ as a form of respect so under no circumstances should you plant yourself on any of these seats.
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You should also avoid looking under the prayer altar as these ‘VIPs’ may be having a feast there and they do not take too kindly to being disturbed.
7. Acknowledge strange things
Above Pay no heed to things (or voices) that seem out of the ordinary (Photo: Public Domain Pictures)
Pay no heed to things (or voices) that seem out of the ordinary (Photo: Public Domain Pictures)
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If you stumble upon an out-of-place item on the street, especially coins, ignore it. If you hear an unfamiliar voice calling out to you, ignore it. If you feel a sudden chill, ignore it. If you catch a whiff of a particularly sweet scent, ignore it. If you feel a tap on your shoulder (and you're alone), ignore it. Don’t scream, cry, shift your eyes, or start talking to yourself as this will give the spirits power over you. Keep calm and carry on.
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8. Make big life milestones
Above The elder folks believe that the Hungry Ghost month is an inappropriate time for weddings, moving, starting a new business, or breaking ground (Photo: Unsplash)
The elder folks believe that the Hungry Ghost month is an inappropriate time for weddings, moving, starting a new business, or breaking ground (Photo: Unsplash)
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During this time, it’s best to avoid making any big life milestones such as moving into a new house or tying the knot. Moving items into a new, previously unoccupied space, renovating a house, buying new furniture, or throwing a housewarming party could inadvertently invite the uninvited into your new home.
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It’s also considered inauspicious for couples to get married during this period as it’s believed that weddings during this month may be hexed by spirits, leading to the eventual not-so-happily-ever-after.
9. Hang your wet laundry through the night
Above Take your laundry in before the sun sets if you don't want a 'visitor' to 'try on' your clothes (Photo: Getty Images)
Take your laundry in before the sun sets if you don't want a 'visitor' to 'try on' your clothes (Photo: Getty Images)
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Avoid hanging laundry late at night or through the night outside as the shapes of clothing resemble the human body and this may attract restless spirits. It has been said that these 'visitors' may 'borrow' your clothes and be accidentally brought into the house along with the laundry or leave behind a misfortune-inducing aura. So no, thank you.
10. Take the last bus/train
Above Thinking of taking the last bus or train ride home? It’s not advisable
Thinking of taking the last bus or train ride home? It’s not advisable
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If it isn’t eerie enough to take the last bus or train ride home, especially when it’s late into the night and you’re alone, doing so especially during Hungry Ghost Month is not advisable. This is because it’s believed that spirits may be taking the last ride as well, reading to prey or pounce on vulnerable mortals.
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So at best, avoid taking the last shifts otherwise you might end up sitting on an invisible “customer”.
11. Leave your bedroom slippers pointing towards your bed
Above Ensure your bedroom slippers are faced in opposite ways
Ensure your bedroom slippers are faced in opposite ways
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While you’re safe in the comfort of your own cosy home, avoid doing things like leaving your bedroom slippers pointing towards your bed. Superstition has it that it’s an invitation for spirits to join you in bed. To ward off such misfortunes, be sure to place your bedroom slippers facing opposite ways to confuse the uninvited “guests” about where you are.
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Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
