🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 2 (from laksa024)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa002.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/","crawl_time":1769424160,"first_indexed_time":1626773772,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,thehkhub!\/hungry-ghost-festival\/ s443","src_root_hash":"13672621031426765602","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"All You Need To Know About The Hungry Ghost Festival (2026)","meta_descriptions":["Everything you need to know about the Hungry Ghost Festival, including origin stories, rituals to appease spirits of ancestors, and unlucky behaviours to avoid."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Like many cultures around the world, Chinese people observe important customs surrounding the dead and their spirits. In Hong Kong and China, as well as other East Asian countries influenced by Chinese beliefs, it is believed that unsettled ghosts leave their spiritual realm in the seventh lunar month to visit the living. During this so-called Ghost Month in Hong Kong, there is a main festival day called Hungry Ghost Festival.\nPeople praying at a Taiwan temple during Ghost Month (©\nTai-Jan Huang\nvia Flickr)\nHungry Ghost Festival (盂蘭節, pronounced\nyu lan jit\nin Cantonese and\nyú lán jié\nin Putonghua) is a festival\ncelebrated on September 6, 2025\nthat focuses on paying tribute to the spirits of ancestors, as well as other unknown ghosts, as they wander the physical realm. Ritual practices are observed during the entire seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is\nfrom August 23 to September 21 this year\n. This period is also called Ghost Month and the 15th day of the lunar month is considered the apex of the festival period.\nThis special time, called\nZhongyuan Festival\n(中元節) in Taoism,\nYulan Festival\nin Buddhism, or just\nGhost Festival\n, may seem similar to Halloween as it’s a festival about ghosts. But in fact, East Asian people believe that during this month the gates of the afterlife open from 11pm on September 5 to 1am on September 6, and troubled ghosts wander around the streets of the living.\nWhy do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival?\nAs the spirits roam the physical world, they visit their descendants because they haven’t received a proper send-off or been remembered well enough after their death. During the entire month, there are ceremonies and rituals to\nappease, feed, and entertain these spirits\n. Along with providing offerings like food and faux paper money, people also avoid doing certain things in order to avoid upsetting the ghosts.\nTable filled with food offerings for ghosts for Zhongyuan Festival in Taiwan (©\nweichen_kh\nvia Flickr)\nPeople practice these customs out of tradition to keep the relations between the living and the dead peaceful and to help the spirits pass back into their own realm. There isn’t an entirely documented history that clearly lays out the origins of this festival, but these are the basic principles behind the ritual practices. Today, people still hold the principles to be true and follow the rituals as they’ve been taught to.\nHow did Hungry Ghost Festival start?\nDifferent origin stories for this festival time are told: the Mulian story is common in Chinese Buddhism and the story of ghost trials is a well-known story in Taoism.\nIn the\nBuddhist origin story\n, a close disciple of Syakamuni Buddha named\nMulian\n(目連) helped save his mother from hell. His mother, a vegetarian, was sentenced to hell when she accidentally drank soup cooked with meat. Mulian cared for his deceased mother and tried to look for her in the afterlife by offering food to her. However, the food was taken away by hungry ghosts around her. He sought help from Buddha, who taught Mulian to chant and give sacrificial offerings in order to descend to hell and help his mother. People are touched by the kindness exemplified in this story and\nfollow the offering ritual as a blessing to their ancestors\n.\nMulian\ncomforts his mother\nin hell with the Buddha’s assistance\n(© 星志林  via Flickr)\nIn Taoism, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the\njudgment day for ghosts\n. It is believed that the judge of the lower realm gathers all spirits together and looks through their records to check who was kind or evil during their earthly lives. Ghosts with lesser sins would receive forgiveness, while ghosts with serious sins might suffer punishment and not be reincarnated. Ritual ceremonies are performed by the living family members of the ghosts in the hope that the judge offers them mercy.\nHow to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival\nA towering bamboo tent in Hong Kong erected for opera performances during Hungry Ghost Festival (©\nyuen yan\nvia Flickr)\nDuring the Hungry Ghost Festival, rituals and ceremonies are observed to pay tribute to unknown spirits, helping to avoid angering them and provoking mischief against the living. This time is also dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. Families typically prepare food on memorial tables in their homes,\nseeking blessings from their ancestors\n, as they believe the deceased watch over them in spirit.\nCommon rituals during this period include burning incense and joss paper — paper products like hell banknotes, clothing, and cars—offered as a way to transfer these items to the afterlife. At night, crowds gather to enjoy Chinese opera performances held in temporary bamboo structures adorned with lights. Additionally, people release paper lanterns onto the water, symbolizing the guidance of spirits back to the afterlife.\nPapier-mâché horses and lamps are burnt as offerings to appease ghosts for Yulan Festival in Kuala Lumpur (©\nSlices of Light\nvia Flickr)\nOn the festival night, locals have a feast and\nleave an empty seat at the dining table\nas a symbol for their lost members. These rituals are believed to calm the ghosts as they wander and allow their ancestors to live a better afterlife.\nWhat to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival\nThere are certain taboo behaviours people will make sure not to do to avoid provoking the ghosts or incurring bad luck. For example, people usually:\nAvoid telling ghost stories. \nAvoid touching food offerings and apologize if you accidentally knock them over.\nAvoid scheduling significant events during this time, like starting a new business, getting married, or moving into a new home.\nAvoid leaving money on the street as it is believed to be a bribe to the guards at the underworld’s entrance, which will be counted as a mark against you during your final judgment.\nAvoid taking the last transportation of the day.\nAvoid taking photos at night.\nAvoid standing chopsticks upright in your bowl when eating as this considered an invitation to the ghosts.\nAvoid wearing red and black clothing.\nAvoid bodies of water, as a ghost who died drowning may try to do the same to you.\nAvoid sleeping next to or facing a mirror.\nAvoid sitting in the front row of Chinese opera performances; these seats are reserved for spirits.\nHungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries\nFestivals with similar themes and rituals to the Hungry Ghost Festival are also celebrated in other Asian cultures. In Taiwan, the lighting ceremony on\ngrand temporary bamboo structures\nlasts for a few days during the\nZhongyuan Ghost Festival\nin Keelung to show respect to deceased ancestors. These structures are also the site of operas and grand feasts.\nIn Japan, similar beliefs and rituals encapsulate the\nBon Festival\n. Japanese people create food offerings named\nsyouryouuma\n, which are\nsculptures of cucumbers or eggplants with wooden stick legs\nmade to resemble a horse or cow to symbolize the spirits being transported between two worlds.\nChinese opera and Zhongyuan Purdue, sacrifices made to the ghosts and gods (©\nTat Lau\nvia Flickr,\nWang wu shoung\nvia Canva)\nIn Indonesia, there is an ancestor worship festival called\nMa’nene\n. Known as a cleansing ritual, locals\nclean, groom, and dress their ancestors’ corpses\nwith new, expensive clothing as a way to show remembrance to their deceased family members.\nWhere to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong\nVictoria Park Hungry Ghost Festival ceremony in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay (Date to be confirmed)\nTemple rituals & Chinese opera at Yuen Da Temple, San Ha St, Chai Wan (entire Ghost Month)\nFAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival\nWhat is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival?\nDuring the seventh lunar month of the year, Chinese Buddhists and Taoists believe the gateway between the realms of the living and dead open. During this time, people offer gifts and food by way of greeting their passed ancestors, as well as to appease unknown, potentially malicient spirits.\nWhich countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival?\nHungry Ghost Festival, also called Yulan Festival or Zhongyuan Festival, is celebrated by Taoists and Chinese Buddhists in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Festivals with similar meanings and traditions also occur in Indonesia and Japan.\nWhy do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival?\nPeople who observe Ghost Festival stray away from behaviours such as stepping over offerings, telling ghost stories, getting married, and wearing red and black clothing to avoid angering or annoying spirits, who may prank or even try to bring bad luck to the living.\nOther traditional\nChinese festivals\n:\nLunar New Year\n— Lunar New Year Fair —\nBirthday of Che Kung\n—\nChinese Lantern Festival\n— Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival —\nChing Ming Festival\n—\nTin Hau Festival\n—\nCheung Chau Bun Festival\n—\nBuddha’s Birthday\n— Birthday of Tam Kung —\nDragon Boat Festival\n—\nBirthday of Kwan Tai\n—\nQixi Festival\n— Hung Shing Festival —\nHungry Ghost Festival\n—\nMid-Autumn Festival\n— Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius —\nChung Yeung Festival\n—\nWinter Solstice Festival\n.\nHeader image credits:\nLeung Chee Keung Kenneth\nvia WikiCommons\n5\/5 - (6 votes)","attrs_markdown":"[Close Menu](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheHKHub)   [X (Twitter)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/thehkhub)   [Instagram](https:\/\/instagram.com\/hkhub)\n\nMonday, January 26\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/about\/)\n- [Advertise With Us](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/advertise-with-us\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/contact\/)\n- [Contribute](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/contribute\/)\n- [Submit PR & Events](mailto:pr@thehkhub.com)\n- [Ethics & Transparency](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/ethics-transparency\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheHKHub)   [X (Twitter)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/thehkhub)   [Instagram](https:\/\/instagram.com\/hkhub)   [RSS](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n\n[![The HK HUB](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20272%2080'%3E%3C\/svg%3E) ![The HK HUB](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/thehkhub.com-logo-tagline.png)](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/ \"The HK HUB\")\n\n- [Chinese New Year](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hub\/culture\/chinese-new-year\/)\n- [What’s On](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hub\/thehkhub\/events-whats-on-in-hong-kong\/)\n- [Eat & Drink](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hub\/dining-guides-bars-and-restaurant-news-for-hong-kong\/)\n- [Lifestyle](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hub\/lifestyle\/)\n  - 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In Hong Kong and China, as well as other East Asian countries influenced by Chinese beliefs, it is believed that unsettled ghosts leave their spiritual realm in the seventh lunar month to visit the living. During this so-called Ghost Month in Hong Kong, there is a main festival day called Hungry Ghost Festival.\n\n**Content of this article**  [hide](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n\n[1\\. What is Hungry Ghost Festival?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#What_is_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[2\\. Why do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#Why_do_spirits_wander_the_earth_during_Yulan_Festival)\n\n[3\\. How did Hungry Ghost Festival start?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#How_did_Hungry_Ghost_Festival_start)\n\n[4\\. How to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#How_to_celebrate_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[5\\. What to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#What_to_avoid_doing_during_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[6\\. Hungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#Hungry_Ghost_Festival_in_other_Asian_countries)\n\n[7\\. Where to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#Where_to_see_Yulan_Festival_festivities_in_Hong_Kong)\n\n[8\\. FAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#FAQ_about_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[8\\.1. What is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#What_is_the_meaning_behind_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[8\\.2. Which countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#Which_countries_celebrate_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n\n[8\\.3. Why do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival?](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/#Why_do_Chinese_people_avoid_doing_certain_things_during_Hungry_Ghost_Festival)\n## What is Hungry Ghost Festival?\n![women praying at taiwan temple during ghost month](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20676'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![women praying at taiwan temple during ghost month](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/ghost-month-yulan-festival.jpeg)\n\nPeople praying at a Taiwan temple during Ghost Month (© [Tai-Jan Huang](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/can185-way\/44203623722\/in\/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr)\n\nHungry Ghost Festival (盂蘭節, pronounced *yu lan jit* in Cantonese and *yú lán jié* in Putonghua) is a festival **celebrated on September 6, 2025** that focuses on paying tribute to the spirits of ancestors, as well as other unknown ghosts, as they wander the physical realm. Ritual practices are observed during the entire seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is **from August 23 to September 21 this year**. This period is also called Ghost Month and the 15th day of the lunar month is considered the apex of the festival period.\n\nThis special time, called **Zhongyuan Festival** (中元節) in Taoism, **Yulan Festival** in Buddhism, or just **Ghost Festival**, may seem similar to Halloween as it’s a festival about ghosts. But in fact, East Asian people believe that during this month the gates of the afterlife open from 11pm on September 5 to 1am on September 6, and troubled ghosts wander around the streets of the living.\n\n## Why do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival?\nAs the spirits roam the physical world, they visit their descendants because they haven’t received a proper send-off or been remembered well enough after their death. During the entire month, there are ceremonies and rituals to **appease, feed, and entertain these spirits**. Along with providing offerings like food and faux paper money, people also avoid doing certain things in order to avoid upsetting the ghosts.\n\n![wood table filled with chopsticks, food, and wine cups for spirits during ghost festival in asia](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201085%20720'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![wood table filled with chopsticks, food, and wine cups for spirits during ghost festival in asia](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ghost-festival-food-offering-zhongyuan-1085x720.jpg)\n\nTable filled with food offerings for ghosts for Zhongyuan Festival in Taiwan (© [weichen\\_kh](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/can185-way\/24325877517\/in\/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr)\n\nPeople practice these customs out of tradition to keep the relations between the living and the dead peaceful and to help the spirits pass back into their own realm. There isn’t an entirely documented history that clearly lays out the origins of this festival, but these are the basic principles behind the ritual practices. Today, people still hold the principles to be true and follow the rituals as they’ve been taught to.\n\n## How did Hungry Ghost Festival start?\nDifferent origin stories for this festival time are told: the Mulian story is common in Chinese Buddhism and the story of ghost trials is a well-known story in Taoism.  \n  \nIn the **Buddhist origin story**, a close disciple of Syakamuni Buddha named *Mulian* (目連) helped save his mother from hell. His mother, a vegetarian, was sentenced to hell when she accidentally drank soup cooked with meat. Mulian cared for his deceased mother and tried to look for her in the afterlife by offering food to her. However, the food was taken away by hungry ghosts around her. He sought help from Buddha, who taught Mulian to chant and give sacrificial offerings in order to descend to hell and help his mother. People are touched by the kindness exemplified in this story and **follow the offering ritual as a blessing to their ancestors**.\n\n![Mu Lian visit his mother and seek help from Buddha](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20798%20720'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![Mu Lian visit his mother and seek help from Buddha](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/mu-lian-story-798x720.jpg)\n\n*Mulian *comforts his mother** in hell with the Buddha’s assistance *(© 星志林 via Flickr)*\n\nIn Taoism, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the **judgment day for ghosts**. It is believed that the judge of the lower realm gathers all spirits together and looks through their records to check who was kind or evil during their earthly lives. Ghosts with lesser sins would receive forgiveness, while ghosts with serious sins might suffer punishment and not be reincarnated. Ritual ceremonies are performed by the living family members of the ghosts in the hope that the judge offers them mercy.\n\n## How to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival\n![chinese opera tent in hong kong for hungry ghost festival](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![chinese opera tent in hong kong for hungry ghost festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/chinese-opera-tent.jpeg)\n\nA towering bamboo tent in Hong Kong erected for opera performances during Hungry Ghost Festival (© [yuen yan](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/yuenchiyan\/28957021276\/in\/photolist-L7Qizw-KJMvaR-8u9MY2-KJAM6b-LfeeF5-LfeeLf-KJAM4N-Lb2Tv6-KJL4B5-Lb2RoR-L1JVpG-Lb2NWr-L1JwgC-Keip8S-L1JMXN-Kevjg2-L4iba6-L1JvUL-L1JRAE-ywznwB-LmZL2y-ytwr9q-LmZKKb-KzH25e-LmZK5J-6Wmjh3-6Wmj6C-6WmiLh-6Wmjcd-6VKTnp-6VPWJN-6WhjEi-6WmiVN-6VKTGM-6VPWX7-5h9JN2-6VKTvB-5h9JMZ-6VPWnN-5hebhj-5hebh9-5h9JN8-6VPWBd-5h9JMK-6VPWPb-5h9JMF-5hebhd-6WmiRs-6VPWrA-2L9LNh) via Flickr)\n\nDuring the Hungry Ghost Festival, rituals and ceremonies are observed to pay tribute to unknown spirits, helping to avoid angering them and provoking mischief against the living. This time is also dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. Families typically prepare food on memorial tables in their homes, **seeking blessings from their ancestors**, as they believe the deceased watch over them in spirit.  \n  \nCommon rituals during this period include burning incense and joss paper — paper products like hell banknotes, clothing, and cars—offered as a way to transfer these items to the afterlife. At night, crowds gather to enjoy Chinese opera performances held in temporary bamboo structures adorned with lights. Additionally, people release paper lanterns onto the water, symbolizing the guidance of spirits back to the afterlife.\n\n![paper horses and paper lamps for yulan festival malaysia](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20799%20533'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![paper horses and paper lamps for yulan festival malaysia](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/hungry-ghost-festival-paper-offerings.jpg)\n\nPapier-mâché horses and lamps are burnt as offerings to appease ghosts for Yulan Festival in Kuala Lumpur (© [Slices of Light](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/justaslice\/48615471876\/in\/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr)\n\nOn the festival night, locals have a feast and **leave an empty seat at the dining table** as a symbol for their lost members. These rituals are believed to calm the ghosts as they wander and allow their ancestors to live a better afterlife.\n\n## What to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival\nThere are certain taboo behaviours people will make sure not to do to avoid provoking the ghosts or incurring bad luck. For example, people usually:\n\n1. Avoid telling ghost stories.\n2. Avoid touching food offerings and apologize if you accidentally knock them over.\n3. Avoid scheduling significant events during this time, like starting a new business, getting married, or moving into a new home.\n4. Avoid leaving money on the street as it is believed to be a bribe to the guards at the underworld’s entrance, which will be counted as a mark against you during your final judgment.\n5. Avoid taking the last transportation of the day.\n6. Avoid taking photos at night.\n7. Avoid standing chopsticks upright in your bowl when eating as this considered an invitation to the ghosts.\n8. Avoid wearing red and black clothing.\n9. Avoid bodies of water, as a ghost who died drowning may try to do the same to you.\n10. Avoid sleeping next to or facing a mirror.\n11. Avoid sitting in the front row of Chinese opera performances; these seats are reserved for spirits.\n## Hungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries\nFestivals with similar themes and rituals to the Hungry Ghost Festival are also celebrated in other Asian cultures. In Taiwan, the lighting ceremony on **grand temporary bamboo structures** lasts for a few days during the *Zhongyuan Ghost Festival* in Keelung to show respect to deceased ancestors. These structures are also the site of operas and grand feasts.  \n  \nIn Japan, similar beliefs and rituals encapsulate the *Bon Festival*. Japanese people create food offerings named *syouryouuma*, which are **sculptures of cucumbers or eggplants with wooden stick legs** made to resemble a horse or cow to symbolize the spirits being transported between two worlds.\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/hungry-ghost-festival.jpg)\n\nChinese opera and Zhongyuan Purdue, sacrifices made to the ghosts and gods (© [Tat Lau](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ltdrum\/) via Flickr, [Wang wu shoung](https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGB4jmHziI\/oE5y9cjV34HQOm1OQF8wtw\/edit) via Canva)\n\nIn Indonesia, there is an ancestor worship festival called *Ma’nene*. Known as a cleansing ritual, locals **clean, groom, and dress their ancestors’ corpses** with new, expensive clothing as a way to show remembrance to their deceased family members.\n\n## Where to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong\n- Victoria Park Hungry Ghost Festival ceremony in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay (Date to be confirmed)\n- Temple rituals & Chinese opera at Yuen Da Temple, San Ha St, Chai Wan (entire Ghost Month)\n## FAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival\n### What is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival?\nDuring the seventh lunar month of the year, Chinese Buddhists and Taoists believe the gateway between the realms of the living and dead open. During this time, people offer gifts and food by way of greeting their passed ancestors, as well as to appease unknown, potentially malicient spirits.\n\n### Which countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival?\nHungry Ghost Festival, also called Yulan Festival or Zhongyuan Festival, is celebrated by Taoists and Chinese Buddhists in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Festivals with similar meanings and traditions also occur in Indonesia and Japan.\n\n### Why do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival?\nPeople who observe Ghost Festival stray away from behaviours such as stepping over offerings, telling ghost stories, getting married, and wearing red and black clothing to avoid angering or annoying spirits, who may prank or even try to bring bad luck to the living.\n\n**Other traditional [Chinese festivals](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/traditional-festivals-hong-kong\/):** [Lunar New Year](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/chinese-new-year\/) — Lunar New Year Fair — [Birthday of Che Kung](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/che-kung-birthday-festival\/) — [Chinese Lantern Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/chinese-lantern-festival\/) — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — [Ching Ming Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/ching-ming-festival\/) — [Tin Hau Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/tin-hau-festival\/) — [Cheung Chau Bun Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/cheung-chau-bun-festival\/) — [Buddha’s Birthday](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/buddhas-birthday-festival\/) — Birthday of Tam Kung — [Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/dragon-boat-festival\/) — [Birthday of Kwan Tai](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/kwan-tai-birthday-festival\/) — [Qixi Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/qixi-festival-chinese-valentines-day\/) — Hung Shing Festival — [Hungry Ghost Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/) — [Mid-Autumn Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/mid-autumn-festival\/) — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — [Chung Yeung Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/chung-yeung-festival-guide\/) — [Winter Solstice Festival](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/winter-solstice-festival\/).\n\n*Header image credits: [Leung Chee Keung Kenneth](https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Midnight_Rituals.jpg) via WikiCommons*\n\nShare this article with your friends ~\n\n- [Whatsapp](https:\/\/web.whatsapp.com\/send?text=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?t=The%20Cultural%20Guide%20To%20Hungry%20Ghost%20Festival,%20When%20Spirits%20Wander%20The%20Living%20Realm&u=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n- [Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=The%20Cultural%20Guide%20To%20Hungry%20Ghost%20Festival,%20When%20Spirits%20Wander%20The%20Living%20Realm&url=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/&via=)\n- [Linkedin](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?title=The%20Cultural%20Guide%20To%20Hungry%20Ghost%20Festival,%20When%20Spirits%20Wander%20The%20Living%20Realm&url=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n- [Messenger](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/send?link=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/&app_id=291494419107518&redirect_uri=https:\/\/www.sharethis.com)\n- [Wechat](https:\/\/api.qrserver.com\/v1\/create-qr-code\/?data=https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/&size=154x154)\n\n5\/5 - (6 votes)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2095%2095'%3E%3C\/svg%3E)\n\n![](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/angela-chong-contributor.jpg)\n\n[Angela Chong](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/author\/angela\/ \"Posts by Angela Chong\")\n\n- [Website](https:\/\/aworldjournal.com\/ \"Website\")\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aworldjournal\/ \"Instagram\")\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/angelaworld \"LinkedIn\")\n\nAngela studied Culinary Art & Food Service Management and had lived in the United States for several years. She has traveled to several countries and experienced their unique cultures of food and life. Having grown up with a passion for food she seeks to try any specialty food wherever she goes. You can learn more about her journey on [her website](https:\/\/aworldjournal.com\/).\n\n### Subscribe to updates\nOpen the door to Hong Kong and get your weekly dose of stories, deals and tips.\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheHKHub)   [X (Twitter)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/thehkhub)   [Instagram](https:\/\/instagram.com\/hkhub)   [RSS](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/hungry-ghost-festival\/)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/about\/)\n- [Advertise With Us](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/advertise-with-us\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/contact\/)\n- [Contribute](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/contribute\/)\n- [Submit PR & Events](mailto:pr@thehkhub.com)\n- [Ethics & Transparency](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/ethics-transparency\/)\n- [Directory](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/directory\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/thehkhub.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n\n© 2026 All Rights Reserved. Designed by [Get Clicks](https:\/\/getclicks.com.hk\/).","attrs_readable_markdown":null,"meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Like many cultures around the world, Chinese people observe important customs surrounding the dead and their spirits. In Hong Kong and China, as well as other East Asian countries influenced by Chinese beliefs, it is believed that unsettled ghosts leave their spiritual realm in the seventh lunar month to visit the living. During this so-called Ghost Month in Hong Kong, there is a main festival day called Hungry Ghost Festival. People praying at a Taiwan temple during Ghost Month (© Tai-Jan Huang via Flickr) Hungry Ghost Festival (盂蘭節, pronounced yu lan jit in Cantonese and yú lán jié in Putonghua) is a festival celebrated on September 6, 2025 that focuses on paying tribute to the spirits of ancestors, as well as other unknown ghosts, as they wander the physical realm. Ritual practices are observed during the entire seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is from August 23 to September 21 this year . This period is also called Ghost Month and the 15th day of the lunar month is considered the apex of the festival period. This special time, called Zhongyuan Festival (中元節) in Taoism, Yulan Festival in Buddhism, or just Ghost Festival , may seem similar to Halloween as it’s a festival about ghosts. But in fact, East Asian people believe that during this month the gates of the afterlife open from 11pm on September 5 to 1am on September 6, and troubled ghosts wander around the streets of the living. Why do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival? As the spirits roam the physical world, they visit their descendants because they haven’t received a proper send-off or been remembered well enough after their death. During the entire month, there are ceremonies and rituals to appease, feed, and entertain these spirits . Along with providing offerings like food and faux paper money, people also avoid doing certain things in order to avoid upsetting the ghosts. Table filled with food offerings for ghosts for Zhongyuan Festival in Taiwan (© weichen_kh via Flickr) People practice these customs out of tradition to keep the relations between the living and the dead peaceful and to help the spirits pass back into their own realm. There isn’t an entirely documented history that clearly lays out the origins of this festival, but these are the basic principles behind the ritual practices. Today, people still hold the principles to be true and follow the rituals as they’ve been taught to. How did Hungry Ghost Festival start? Different origin stories for this festival time are told: the Mulian story is common in Chinese Buddhism and the story of ghost trials is a well-known story in Taoism. In the Buddhist origin story , a close disciple of Syakamuni Buddha named Mulian (目連) helped save his mother from hell. His mother, a vegetarian, was sentenced to hell when she accidentally drank soup cooked with meat. Mulian cared for his deceased mother and tried to look for her in the afterlife by offering food to her. However, the food was taken away by hungry ghosts around her. He sought help from Buddha, who taught Mulian to chant and give sacrificial offerings in order to descend to hell and help his mother. People are touched by the kindness exemplified in this story and follow the offering ritual as a blessing to their ancestors . Mulian comforts his mother in hell with the Buddha’s assistance (© 星志林 via Flickr) In Taoism, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the judgment day for ghosts . It is believed that the judge of the lower realm gathers all spirits together and looks through their records to check who was kind or evil during their earthly lives. Ghosts with lesser sins would receive forgiveness, while ghosts with serious sins might suffer punishment and not be reincarnated. Ritual ceremonies are performed by the living family members of the ghosts in the hope that the judge offers them mercy. How to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival A towering bamboo tent in Hong Kong erected for opera performances during Hungry Ghost Festival (© yuen yan via Flickr) During the Hungry Ghost Festival, rituals and ceremonies are observed to pay tribute to unknown spirits, helping to avoid angering them and provoking mischief against the living. This time is also dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. Families typically prepare food on memorial tables in their homes, seeking blessings from their ancestors , as they believe the deceased watch over them in spirit. Common rituals during this period include burning incense and joss paper — paper products like hell banknotes, clothing, and cars—offered as a way to transfer these items to the afterlife. At night, crowds gather to enjoy Chinese opera performances held in temporary bamboo structures adorned with lights. Additionally, people release paper lanterns onto the water, symbolizing the guidance of spirits back to the afterlife. Papier-mâché horses and lamps are burnt as offerings to appease ghosts for Yulan Festival in Kuala Lumpur (© Slices of Light via Flickr) On the festival night, locals have a feast and leave an empty seat at the dining table as a symbol for their lost members. These rituals are believed to calm the ghosts as they wander and allow their ancestors to live a better afterlife. What to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival There are certain taboo behaviours people will make sure not to do to avoid provoking the ghosts or incurring bad luck. For example, people usually: Avoid telling ghost stories. Avoid touching food offerings and apologize if you accidentally knock them over. Avoid scheduling significant events during this time, like starting a new business, getting married, or moving into a new home. Avoid leaving money on the street as it is believed to be a bribe to the guards at the underworld’s entrance, which will be counted as a mark against you during your final judgment. Avoid taking the last transportation of the day. Avoid taking photos at night. Avoid standing chopsticks upright in your bowl when eating as this considered an invitation to the ghosts. Avoid wearing red and black clothing. Avoid bodies of water, as a ghost who died drowning may try to do the same to you. Avoid sleeping next to or facing a mirror. Avoid sitting in the front row of Chinese opera performances; these seats are reserved for spirits. Hungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries Festivals with similar themes and rituals to the Hungry Ghost Festival are also celebrated in other Asian cultures. In Taiwan, the lighting ceremony on grand temporary bamboo structures lasts for a few days during the Zhongyuan Ghost Festival in Keelung to show respect to deceased ancestors. These structures are also the site of operas and grand feasts. In Japan, similar beliefs and rituals encapsulate the Bon Festival . Japanese people create food offerings named syouryouuma , which are sculptures of cucumbers or eggplants with wooden stick legs made to resemble a horse or cow to symbolize the spirits being transported between two worlds. Chinese opera and Zhongyuan Purdue, sacrifices made to the ghosts and gods (© Tat Lau via Flickr, Wang wu shoung via Canva) In Indonesia, there is an ancestor worship festival called Ma’nene . Known as a cleansing ritual, locals clean, groom, and dress their ancestors’ corpses with new, expensive clothing as a way to show remembrance to their deceased family members. Where to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong Victoria Park Hungry Ghost Festival ceremony in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay (Date to be confirmed) Temple rituals & Chinese opera at Yuen Da Temple, San Ha St, Chai Wan (entire Ghost Month) FAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival What is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival? During the seventh lunar month of the year, Chinese Buddhists and Taoists believe the gateway between the realms of the living and dead open. During this time, people offer gifts and food by way of greeting their passed ancestors, as well as to appease unknown, potentially malicient spirits. Which countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival? Hungry Ghost Festival, also called Yulan Festival or Zhongyuan Festival, is celebrated by Taoists and Chinese Buddhists in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Festivals with similar meanings and traditions also occur in Indonesia and Japan. Why do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival? People who observe Ghost Festival stray away from behaviours such as stepping over offerings, telling ghost stories, getting married, and wearing red and black clothing to avoid angering or annoying spirits, who may prank or even try to bring bad luck to the living. Other traditional Chinese festivals : Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Qixi Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival . Header image credits: Leung Chee Keung Kenneth via WikiCommons 5/5 - (6 votes)
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In Hong Kong and China, as well as other East Asian countries influenced by Chinese beliefs, it is believed that unsettled ghosts leave their spiritual realm in the seventh lunar month to visit the living. During this so-called Ghost Month in Hong Kong, there is a main festival day called Hungry Ghost Festival. Content of this article [hide](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/) [1\. What is Hungry Ghost Festival?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#What_is_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [2\. Why do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#Why_do_spirits_wander_the_earth_during_Yulan_Festival) [3\. How did Hungry Ghost Festival start?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#How_did_Hungry_Ghost_Festival_start) [4\. How to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#How_to_celebrate_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [5\. What to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#What_to_avoid_doing_during_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [6\. Hungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#Hungry_Ghost_Festival_in_other_Asian_countries) [7\. Where to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#Where_to_see_Yulan_Festival_festivities_in_Hong_Kong) [8\. FAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#FAQ_about_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [8\.1. What is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#What_is_the_meaning_behind_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [8\.2. Which countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#Which_countries_celebrate_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) [8\.3. Why do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival?](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/#Why_do_Chinese_people_avoid_doing_certain_things_during_Hungry_Ghost_Festival) ## What is Hungry Ghost Festival? ![women praying at taiwan temple during ghost month](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20676'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![women praying at taiwan temple during ghost month](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ghost-month-yulan-festival.jpeg) People praying at a Taiwan temple during Ghost Month (© [Tai-Jan Huang](https://www.flickr.com/photos/can185-way/44203623722/in/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr) Hungry Ghost Festival (盂蘭節, pronounced yu lan jit in Cantonese and yú lán jié in Putonghua) is a festival celebrated on September 6, 2025 that focuses on paying tribute to the spirits of ancestors, as well as other unknown ghosts, as they wander the physical realm. Ritual practices are observed during the entire seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is from August 23 to September 21 this year. This period is also called Ghost Month and the 15th day of the lunar month is considered the apex of the festival period. This special time, called Zhongyuan Festival (中元節) in Taoism, Yulan Festival in Buddhism, or just Ghost Festival, may seem similar to Halloween as it’s a festival about ghosts. But in fact, East Asian people believe that during this month the gates of the afterlife open from 11pm on September 5 to 1am on September 6, and troubled ghosts wander around the streets of the living. ## Why do spirits wander the earth during Yulan Festival? As the spirits roam the physical world, they visit their descendants because they haven’t received a proper send-off or been remembered well enough after their death. During the entire month, there are ceremonies and rituals to appease, feed, and entertain these spirits. Along with providing offerings like food and faux paper money, people also avoid doing certain things in order to avoid upsetting the ghosts. ![wood table filled with chopsticks, food, and wine cups for spirits during ghost festival in asia](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201085%20720'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![wood table filled with chopsticks, food, and wine cups for spirits during ghost festival in asia](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ghost-festival-food-offering-zhongyuan-1085x720.jpg) Table filled with food offerings for ghosts for Zhongyuan Festival in Taiwan (© [weichen\_kh](https://www.flickr.com/photos/can185-way/24325877517/in/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr) People practice these customs out of tradition to keep the relations between the living and the dead peaceful and to help the spirits pass back into their own realm. There isn’t an entirely documented history that clearly lays out the origins of this festival, but these are the basic principles behind the ritual practices. Today, people still hold the principles to be true and follow the rituals as they’ve been taught to. ## How did Hungry Ghost Festival start? Different origin stories for this festival time are told: the Mulian story is common in Chinese Buddhism and the story of ghost trials is a well-known story in Taoism. In the Buddhist origin story, a close disciple of Syakamuni Buddha named Mulian (目連) helped save his mother from hell. His mother, a vegetarian, was sentenced to hell when she accidentally drank soup cooked with meat. Mulian cared for his deceased mother and tried to look for her in the afterlife by offering food to her. However, the food was taken away by hungry ghosts around her. He sought help from Buddha, who taught Mulian to chant and give sacrificial offerings in order to descend to hell and help his mother. People are touched by the kindness exemplified in this story and follow the offering ritual as a blessing to their ancestors. ![Mu Lian visit his mother and seek help from Buddha](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20798%20720'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![Mu Lian visit his mother and seek help from Buddha](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mu-lian-story-798x720.jpg) Mulian comforts his mother** in hell with the Buddha’s assistance (© 星志林 via Flickr) In Taoism, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the judgment day for ghosts. It is believed that the judge of the lower realm gathers all spirits together and looks through their records to check who was kind or evil during their earthly lives. Ghosts with lesser sins would receive forgiveness, while ghosts with serious sins might suffer punishment and not be reincarnated. Ritual ceremonies are performed by the living family members of the ghosts in the hope that the judge offers them mercy. ## How to celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival ![chinese opera tent in hong kong for hungry ghost festival](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![chinese opera tent in hong kong for hungry ghost festival](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/chinese-opera-tent.jpeg) A towering bamboo tent in Hong Kong erected for opera performances during Hungry Ghost Festival (© [yuen yan](https://www.flickr.com/photos/yuenchiyan/28957021276/in/photolist-L7Qizw-KJMvaR-8u9MY2-KJAM6b-LfeeF5-LfeeLf-KJAM4N-Lb2Tv6-KJL4B5-Lb2RoR-L1JVpG-Lb2NWr-L1JwgC-Keip8S-L1JMXN-Kevjg2-L4iba6-L1JvUL-L1JRAE-ywznwB-LmZL2y-ytwr9q-LmZKKb-KzH25e-LmZK5J-6Wmjh3-6Wmj6C-6WmiLh-6Wmjcd-6VKTnp-6VPWJN-6WhjEi-6WmiVN-6VKTGM-6VPWX7-5h9JN2-6VKTvB-5h9JMZ-6VPWnN-5hebhj-5hebh9-5h9JN8-6VPWBd-5h9JMK-6VPWPb-5h9JMF-5hebhd-6WmiRs-6VPWrA-2L9LNh) via Flickr) During the Hungry Ghost Festival, rituals and ceremonies are observed to pay tribute to unknown spirits, helping to avoid angering them and provoking mischief against the living. This time is also dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. Families typically prepare food on memorial tables in their homes, seeking blessings from their ancestors, as they believe the deceased watch over them in spirit. Common rituals during this period include burning incense and joss paper — paper products like hell banknotes, clothing, and cars—offered as a way to transfer these items to the afterlife. At night, crowds gather to enjoy Chinese opera performances held in temporary bamboo structures adorned with lights. Additionally, people release paper lanterns onto the water, symbolizing the guidance of spirits back to the afterlife. ![paper horses and paper lamps for yulan festival malaysia](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20799%20533'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![paper horses and paper lamps for yulan festival malaysia](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hungry-ghost-festival-paper-offerings.jpg) Papier-mâché horses and lamps are burnt as offerings to appease ghosts for Yulan Festival in Kuala Lumpur (© [Slices of Light](https://www.flickr.com/photos/justaslice/48615471876/in/photolist-2h4Z13Y-2h4XdMg-2am7XQS-2am88iu-29k2XhU-D4AtTk-2am7ZzJ-2aqp4di-2aqp3pV-27EGVXj-27EGTDG-27EGUEj-27EGZ25-2aqp28M-2am8cfh) via Flickr) On the festival night, locals have a feast and leave an empty seat at the dining table as a symbol for their lost members. These rituals are believed to calm the ghosts as they wander and allow their ancestors to live a better afterlife. ## What to avoid doing during Hungry Ghost Festival There are certain taboo behaviours people will make sure not to do to avoid provoking the ghosts or incurring bad luck. For example, people usually: 1. Avoid telling ghost stories. 2. Avoid touching food offerings and apologize if you accidentally knock them over. 3. Avoid scheduling significant events during this time, like starting a new business, getting married, or moving into a new home. 4. Avoid leaving money on the street as it is believed to be a bribe to the guards at the underworld’s entrance, which will be counted as a mark against you during your final judgment. 5. Avoid taking the last transportation of the day. 6. Avoid taking photos at night. 7. Avoid standing chopsticks upright in your bowl when eating as this considered an invitation to the ghosts. 8. Avoid wearing red and black clothing. 9. Avoid bodies of water, as a ghost who died drowning may try to do the same to you. 10. Avoid sleeping next to or facing a mirror. 11. Avoid sitting in the front row of Chinese opera performances; these seats are reserved for spirits. ## Hungry Ghost Festival in other Asian countries Festivals with similar themes and rituals to the Hungry Ghost Festival are also celebrated in other Asian cultures. In Taiwan, the lighting ceremony on grand temporary bamboo structures lasts for a few days during the Zhongyuan Ghost Festival in Keelung to show respect to deceased ancestors. These structures are also the site of operas and grand feasts. In Japan, similar beliefs and rituals encapsulate the Bon Festival. Japanese people create food offerings named syouryouuma, which are sculptures of cucumbers or eggplants with wooden stick legs made to resemble a horse or cow to symbolize the spirits being transported between two worlds. ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ![](https://thehkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hungry-ghost-festival.jpg) Chinese opera and Zhongyuan Purdue, sacrifices made to the ghosts and gods (© [Tat Lau](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdrum/) via Flickr, [Wang wu shoung](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGB4jmHziI/oE5y9cjV34HQOm1OQF8wtw/edit) via Canva) In Indonesia, there is an ancestor worship festival called Ma’nene. Known as a cleansing ritual, locals clean, groom, and dress their ancestors’ corpses with new, expensive clothing as a way to show remembrance to their deceased family members. ## Where to see Yulan Festival festivities in Hong Kong - Victoria Park Hungry Ghost Festival ceremony in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay (Date to be confirmed) - Temple rituals & Chinese opera at Yuen Da Temple, San Ha St, Chai Wan (entire Ghost Month) ## FAQ about Hungry Ghost Festival ### What is the meaning behind Hungry Ghost Festival? During the seventh lunar month of the year, Chinese Buddhists and Taoists believe the gateway between the realms of the living and dead open. During this time, people offer gifts and food by way of greeting their passed ancestors, as well as to appease unknown, potentially malicient spirits. ### Which countries celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival? Hungry Ghost Festival, also called Yulan Festival or Zhongyuan Festival, is celebrated by Taoists and Chinese Buddhists in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Festivals with similar meanings and traditions also occur in Indonesia and Japan. ### Why do Chinese people avoid doing certain things during Hungry Ghost Festival? People who observe Ghost Festival stray away from behaviours such as stepping over offerings, telling ghost stories, getting married, and wearing red and black clothing to avoid angering or annoying spirits, who may prank or even try to bring bad luck to the living. Other traditional [Chinese festivals](https://thehkhub.com/traditional-festivals-hong-kong/): [Lunar New Year](https://thehkhub.com/chinese-new-year/) — Lunar New Year Fair — [Birthday of Che Kung](https://thehkhub.com/che-kung-birthday-festival/) — [Chinese Lantern Festival](https://thehkhub.com/chinese-lantern-festival/) — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — [Ching Ming Festival](https://thehkhub.com/ching-ming-festival/) — [Tin Hau Festival](https://thehkhub.com/tin-hau-festival/) — [Cheung Chau Bun Festival](https://thehkhub.com/cheung-chau-bun-festival/) — [Buddha’s Birthday](https://thehkhub.com/buddhas-birthday-festival/) — Birthday of Tam Kung — [Dragon Boat Festival](https://thehkhub.com/dragon-boat-festival/) — [Birthday of Kwan Tai](https://thehkhub.com/kwan-tai-birthday-festival/) — [Qixi Festival](https://thehkhub.com/qixi-festival-chinese-valentines-day/) — Hung Shing Festival — [Hungry Ghost Festival](https://thehkhub.com/hungry-ghost-festival/) — [Mid-Autumn Festival](https://thehkhub.com/mid-autumn-festival/) — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — [Chung Yeung Festival](https://thehkhub.com/chung-yeung-festival-guide/) — [Winter Solstice Festival](https://thehkhub.com/winter-solstice-festival/). 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