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It is thought that the gates of Hell
are opened on the 15th day of the lunar seventh month, releasing
hungry ghosts into the world. Though the day is not officially
marked in the calendar, most people will not forget to perform the
rituals required to keep the ghosts happy. They will prepare rice,
rice wine, bean sprouts, bean curd, fruits, dried loon ngan and
peanuts or candles to serve the ghosts in the streets. Then they
will light up red candles and incense to please the ghosts. They
all try their best to placate the ghosts with gifts. In order to
avoid a run in with a spirit there are many forms of taboo that
must be adhered to. Ghosts like to walk along the walls and hide
themselves around dark comers. The public avoid night-outs, and
many Chinese even hold themselves from activities and many
businesses decline in the lunar seventh month. Many people follow
the customs because they are fear of hungry ghosts. But how many
people know what exactly are hungry ghosts? What are the theories
behind this scary belief? SPI investigates, and collects some
information from different sources. |
