What Are the Taboos of the Hungry Ghost Festival? — A Deep Dive into Traditional Customs and Modern Significance of Zhongyuan Festival
In the vast landscape of Chinese traditional festivals, the Zhongyuan Festival — also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival or Ullambana Festival — occupies a unique and mysterious position. Every year, on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the “Ghost Gate” is believed to open, allowing ancestral spirits to return to the mortal realm to receive offerings, while wandering, unsettled souls and hungry ghosts roam freely. Therefore, the entire seventh lunar month is called “Ghost Month,” with the 15th day as its focal point.
The essence of this festival is compassion and reverence: through offerings and rituals, people seek to appease and guide spirits, especially those without descendants to honor them, in order to maintain harmony between the living and the dead. Out of this respect for the unknown, a series of taboos emerged that deeply influence human behavior. These taboos are not mere superstition but a blend of folk wisdom, Taoist and Buddhist thought, and moral discipline. Understanding them helps us respect tradition and gain insight into Chinese culture’s profound perspectives on life, death, and reverence.
1. Core Taboos: Nighttime Activities
This is the most well-known taboo. It is said that wandering outside at night during the seventh lunar month may expose one to negative energy or cause “good brothers” (respectful term for wandering spirits) to follow one home, bringing bad luck.
- Avoid late-night outings: Elders often advise younger family members to minimize nighttime activities. The sun represents yang energy, and night represents yin; spirits are most active during peak yin hours.
- Refrain from deep-night outdoor activities: Strolling streets, lingering in parks, or visiting mountains and water areas at night is considered risky due to stronger yin energy.
- Special caution for vulnerable groups: Children, the elderly, and the weak (ill or postpartum) are believed to be more susceptible to negative energy and should strictly observe these taboos.
2. Water-Related Taboos: Avoid Swimming
Water is associated with yin and is traditionally considered a gathering place for spirits. Folklore says that “water ghosts” seek substitutes to reincarnate.
- Absolutely no swimming: During the seventh lunar month, swimming in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or at the seaside is strictly forbidden. Water ghosts are believed to drag people under as substitutes.
- Caution with water activities: Boating, fishing, or other water-related activities should be avoided to prevent accidents. This taboo historically served as a form of safety education.
3. Behavioral Taboos: Speak and Act with Reverence
Individual actions are believed to directly affect one’s spiritual energy and luck.
- Do not speak carelessly: Saying the word “ghost” is avoided to prevent attracting spirits. Respectful terms like “good brothers,” “old grandmaster,” or “gatekeeper” are used instead. Whistling or loudly calling names is also discouraged.
- Avoid tapping others’ shoulders: The top of the head and shoulders are believed to hold protective “yang fires.” Tapping may extinguish them, inviting negative energy.
- Do not look back unnecessarily: Especially at night, sudden glances behind may attract spirits.
- Do not step on joss paper: Paper offerings are sacred. Disrespecting them may invite misfortune.
4. Dietary and Household Taboos
- Do not consume offerings prematurely: Food and fruits offered to spirits must only be eaten after rituals are completed.
- Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in food: Symbolically invites spirits; considered highly inauspicious.
- Avoid walking or resting near walls: Walls are places where spirits may linger.
- Do not hang laundry overnight: Clothes, especially for children and women, may attract spirits if dried at night.
- Avoid major life decisions: Buying property, moving, or marriage during Ghost Month is traditionally avoided.
5. Economic and Entertainment Taboos
- Avoid starting new businesses or signing contracts: Considered inauspicious.
- Postpone house purchases: Homes acquired during Ghost Month may be considered “unclean” or have poor feng shui.
- Do not celebrate birthdays extravagantly: Loud celebrations or parties may attract unwanted attention.
Modern Significance and Cultural Core
Many young people today may consider these taboos as superstition. However, beyond the mystical appearance, they carry deep cultural logic and social functions:
- Risk prevention and safety: Taboos such as avoiding night outings or swimming historically protected people from accidents.
- Moral and filial education: The festival emphasizes respect for ancestors and compassion for wandering spirits, reinforcing a solemn cultural atmosphere.
- Psychological comfort and social cohesion: Observing widely recognized rituals provides a sense of control and enhances community unity.
- Respect for nature: Taboos reflect humility toward natural forces and the unknown.
Conclusion
The taboos of the Zhongyuan Festival are a complex and fascinating cultural phenomenon. They are living fossils of ancient folk beliefs and carry centuries of philosophical reflection on life and death. Today, there is no need to fear them nor follow them blindly. It is more appropriate to understand and respect them as a cultural tradition.
During the seventh lunar month, avoiding swimming at night is for safety; maintaining reverence for the deceased is for reflecting on the meaning of life; caring for others and practicing charity can transform offerings to “hungry ghosts” into real-world help for those in need. In this way, ancient taboos transcend superstition and gain renewed, positive value in modern times.
