During the Chinese seventh month on the lunar calendar, I am sure you must have noticed food offerings being placed by the roadside or around the void deck. If yes, then there is no need for you to be afraid or alarmed.

The Chinese celebrate the Hungry ghost festival during the seventh lunar month here in Singapore as being part of the Chinese community. This tradition is celebrated throughout the whole month. In general, the Chinese believe is that ghosts and starved spirits from the underworld are allowed to roam amongst us.

The Hungry ghost festival was believed to start when a Buddhist monk attained enlightenment, and he decided to check on his parents’ afterlife. He found his mother suffering in hell so he asked Buddha how he could save his mother. The Buddha replied him to offer food and rituals to take her soul away from hell and reincarnate.

After that, it is believed that the dead are being honoured during this month and also the living celebrates life. Just like every other country that marks this day, it is also believed in Singapore that starting new projects and having major events might not be a good idea.

The hungry ghosts that roam around during this period are believed to be the ghost of people that died unfairly or where not given proper burial by their relative and the rituals and offerings we give them are to alleviate the suffering of the spirits and help them enjoy the afterlife.

Tai Su Yeah (“King of Hades”) is worshipped during this period in the form of effigies or image description, and they get buried on the last day. This celebration is a Chinese tradition but is usually celebrated in other Southeast Asia country most especially Singapore and Malaysia.

Do’s And Don’ts During Hungry Ghost Month

You may be afraid of the Hungry Ghost month because you saw me using the terms ghost or spirit, but honestly, you can live the period without fear or being disturbed if you follow the dos and don’ts.

Do Attend A Getai

The peak period for the hungry ghost festival is usually on the 15th day of the month where there will be public and live performances, free-of-charge! However, do not sit on the front row of the live performance because these seats are specially reserved for the VIPs who are the hungry ghosts.

Do Visit The Temple

During this period, it will be good for you drop by any Taoist temple to see for yourself the vast arrays of offerings that are being offered to the spirits. These offerings are usually in brightly coloured displays with an image of the leader of the hungry ghosts. The offerings are burnt at the end of the month to send the spirits back to the world they came.

Don’t Turn Your Heads

The reason why you need to avoid this is that it is believed that the spirits are trying to get your attention so calling your name or tapping your shoulder. By turning your head around, you might be vulnerable and be possessed by the spirits.

The best way, turn your whole body and not just your head.

Avoid wearing the colour Red or Black

These two colours are believed to be the two inauspicious colours during this period, as the spirits are more attracted to these colours.

For ladies, ensure you are always wearing flat heel shoes because high heeled shoes make your heels exposed and you are more vulnerable to being attacked or possessed.

Don’t Disturb Roadside Offering

During this month, you will notice that foods are being left on sidewalks to serve as offering to entice the ghost to feed there rather than feedings indoors. So therefore whenever you pass or walk around, please make sure you don’t step on or kick the food offerings because doing so is considered bad luck.

In case if you made that mistake, offer a quick apology to avoid facing the anger of the ghost.

Don’t Pick Up Coins

Just the way you should avoid stepping on food offering, it is crucial that you avoid picking up coins because they are also offerings and your act of picking them up might get the ghosts who are watching you angry.

It is also believed that some coins are kept on the floor by ghosts to serve as bait to humans. Touching what belongs to the spirits allows them to possess you.

Having explained the six dos and don’ts of the Hungry Ghost festival, it is important I let you know that there is no reason why you need to be afraid because the ghosts won’t come close.

The whole month may sound ominous, but the truth is that the Hungry Ghost festival is not something to be feared. The festival is an annual tradition that places the importance on the suffering of the dead.

I am sure at this point; you will now understand what the Hungry Ghost festival is, the dos and don’ts and why you need not be afraid.