Festival of the Hungry Ghosts - China
Do you believe in ghosts? I hope not! The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (Yue Lan in Chinese) is a spoooooky festival held on 14th day of the seventh full moon all over China. Chinese tradition believes that ghosts who die with no one to bury them, such as at sea, murdered, or who have no family, wander the underworld of 'yinjian', the world of darkness. This festival is held to protect the people of China when the gates of Hades bursts open and unleashes on the world these spirits of the restless, or the hungry. Chinese tradition celebrates the dead often, never forgetting, as it is considered a duty in Chinese life to honor them always through offerings, ceremonies and festivals. The trouble begins with these vengeful ghosts when proper funeral rites have not been performed. They mischievously roam the mortal world looking to satisfy their afterlife needs which were so rudely taken from them in death. Believe yet? One of the strangest manifestations of the Yue Lan festival are the offerings that adorn the streets, graveyards and beaches of China. Intricate paper models are shaped from worldly possessions and status symbols, such as household goods, sometimes entire wardrobes, musical instruments and even paper money, known as 'hell notes' that are only valid in the underworld. These are used to keep the angry spirits happy for there one night of revenge. A little creepy! The chief monk dons an ornate crown of five gold and red panels, each representing the five most powerful deities; by wearing this crown, he becomes their voice on earth. Gongs, reeds, and drums set the scene while priests purify the altar with graceful hand signals. Amid the smoking incense, the altar is covered in sweet buns, cakes, and candies, offerings brought by the people. Then the priest, after magically transforming the treats into enormous quantities, flings them into the crowd of the dead and living (mostly children). After three long hours of chanting, burning, and ceremony, on the 14th day of the seventh month fires speckle the land as the offerings are burnt, creating an eerie spectacular and the ghosts are sent packing. In a magnificent blaze which lights up the entire sky and warms the cheeks of your face, taking the ghosts with them. The reformed souls are released to the Pure Land, while the unreformed ones are dispatched back to the underworld, destined to roam in agony until the next Feast of the Hungry Ghosts.
The Chinese people are usually to scared to exit their houses for fear of encountering these wickedly sly ghosts. It is said only a brave man ventures out for if he visits the beach he may be lured into the water and drowned by the spirits of those lost at sea. So if your a believer or not , test your courage at this awesome festival said to input fear into even the bravest of foe.
