In August, Taoists and Buddhists believe the gates of hell are opened and the souls of the dead are free and allowed to roam the Earth, something they celebrate with the Hungry Ghost Festival, according to the Associated Press.
Not all of the ghosts are considered good, but instead are thought to be ravenous and envious because they died without descendants or were ignored by their kin, leaving them to wander the streets.
Chinese people send prayers that are aided by large colorful sticks shaped like dragons to appease these spirits. This leads to the celebration of the Hungry Ghost Festival, where participants burn mock currency, mobile phones, paper television sets and furniture as offerings to their ancestors to use on the other side.
The items are made of joss paper, which is believed to have value in the afterlife.
Neighborhoods hold shows every night with Chinese operas and pop concerts for 15 days to entertain the dead. The shows serve large feasts of boiled chicken, rice, fruit and grilled pork.
The Chinese people attempt to appease the ghost in the hope that they will help them in their daily lives with their jobs and school exams, as well as things such as the lottery. Families then cook food to offer to the ghosts on the 15th day of the month, considered the most auspicious day on the calendar.
Families also pay tribute to unknown wandering ghosts so they don't interfere with their lives and bring misfortune.
The festival is believed to have originated from the Buddhist scriptures, though many of the practices come from the traditional practices of Chinese folk religion.
It's celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, falling at the same time as the full moon, the fall harvest, the beginning of a new season, the height of Buddhist monastic asceticism and the assembly of the local community.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
