The Origin and Customs of the Ghost Festival
The Ghost Festival, also known as the Tomb-Sweeping Day or Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It is believed to be the day when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to visit the world of the living.
**Origin:**
The Ghost Festival has its roots in ancient Chinese beliefs and is closely related to the Chinese philosophical concept of yin and yang. It is believed that on this day, the balance between the living and the dead is disrupted, and the spirits of the deceased return to their earthly homes. The festival is a time for honoring the ancestors and deceased loved ones, as well as for providing them with offerings to ensure their well-being in the afterlife.
**Customs:**
1. **Offering to the Ancestors:** Families gather to clean and decorate their ancestors' graves, offering food, paper money, and other items to show respect and gratitude.
2. **Burning Paper Money:** Paper money and other symbolic items are burned to provide the spirits with wealth and material goods in the afterlife.
3. **Food and Drink Offerings:** Special dishes and drinks are prepared and placed on an altar or at the graveside to be shared with the spirits.
4. **Lanterns:** Lanterns are released into the sky to guide the spirits back to their homes and to light their way through the dark.
5. **Ghost Opera:** Traditional performances of ghost operas are held to entertain the spirits and help them forget their past sorrows.
6. **Wearing Garlic:** Some people wear garlic or carry garlic bulbs to ward off evil spirits and protect themselves from harm.
7. **Avoiding Certain Actions:** It is believed that certain actions should be avoided during the Ghost Festival to prevent the spirits from causing trouble. These include sweeping the floor, washing hair, and sleeping in the open.
The Ghost Festival is a time for reflection and remembrance, and it continues to be celebrated by millions of people across China and in Chinese communities around the world.
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