Hungry Ghosts

Today is the last day of the Hungry Ghost Festival. We've seen bits and pieces of it around and I finally snapped a picture of this offering table which was tucked back by our condo's car park (parking lot).

In the seventh month of the Chinese calendar the Chinese believe that the spirits of people who have passed away wander the earth. They are hungry and seeking the things they need. Offering tables like this one are set up for these ghosts. Some are for their own ancestors and some are to appease other spirits who may bring bad luck.

On this table: candles, joss sticks (incense), fresh fruit, fresh flowers, juice boxes, 2 roasted ducks, noodles and rice, oils, a huge pile of fake paper money, and yes, two cases of Tiger beer.

There are also places to burn offerings to the ghosts. Big barrels set up in random places. People burn paper money, paper clothes, even paper cell phones or laptops. Anything they believe their loved ones need.

Dave took this picture while spying on people in the neighborhood. Shh...don't tell.

These offerings were on the sidewalk in front of some businesses.

I wish I got a picture of the concerts. Near restaurants and neighborhoods there are concerts to entertain the ghosts. Pop singers and dancers or chinese opera. The first row of chairs in the audience is always left empty for the ghosts. The best seats in the house.

From what I understand this is a Buddhist and Taoist festival. But it has also become part of Chinese folk belief. Yesterday I was talking to a Chinese grandma at the playground. She was telling me which schools teach the best Chinese and where to buy fish. Then we were on the topic of Hungry Ghosts. She told me that she is Catholic and doesn't believe in the Hungry Ghosts but that it is very important to teach our children about it so that the Ghosts will not hurt them. She said her grandson kicked over a burning joss stick because he didn't know what it was and then he had a fever for 4 days. The spirits are very strong so we need to teach our children. But she is Catholic and doesn't believe in it. Hmm....

But when Noah asked who all the food was for I didn't tell them the gates of hell had opened up and let out all the ghosts who were very hungry. And when Gage wanted to blow out the candles on the sidewalk I didn't tell him the angry ghosts would make him sick. But I did tell Noah how neat it was that the Chinese believe in taking care of their ancestors even though its different from what we believe. And I did tell Gage not to blow out the candles because they were very important to someone.