7th Month Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore: Chinese Traditions
By Heavens Gate
•Wed Jan 15 2025
The Hungry Ghost Festival, a traditional Chinese observance, is one of the most culturally significant festivals in Singapore. Held during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, this festival is steeped in history and customs that reflect respect for ancestors and the spirit world. For those unfamiliar with this time honoured event, here’s everything you need to know about the Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 in Singapore, including its dates, key practices, and the essential dos and don’ts.
When Does the Hungry Ghost Festival Take Place?
The Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 will begin on August 15, 2025 and will run throughout the seventh month of the lunar calendar. This month is also known as Ghost Month, a period when the gates of the afterlife are said to open, allowing the spirits of the deceased to return to Earth. The festival officially begins with a ceremonial day known as Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节).
The festival reaches its peak during the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is also the most important day of the observance. The Hungry Ghost Festival typically lasts for about a month, from mid-August to mid-September, depending on the lunar calendar.
What Is the Hungry Ghost Festival?
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a blend of traditional Chinese customs, Taoism, and Buddhism. It honours the spirits of deceased ancestors, offering them food, incense, and other offerings to ensure their peace and comfort. According to folklore, during this time, the gates of the underworld are opened, allowing restless spirits, or "hungry ghosts," to roam the Earth in search of food and comfort. As a result, families prepare offerings to appease these spirits and seek blessings for the living.
During the festival, you may notice food offerings, incense burning, and various rituals being performed in both private homes and public spaces. People also set up altars and make offerings such as fruits, roasted meats, and even paper money to ensure that the spirits are properly cared for.
Key Traditions of the Festival
Some key practices during the Hungry Ghost Festival include:
- Offerings and Rituals: People prepare offerings of food, incense, and other items to appease the spirits. These offerings are often left on the streets, near homes, or in temples.
- Burning of Joss Paper: People burn joss paper (representing money) to send to their ancestors, ensuring that they have the resources they need in the afterlife.
- Street Performances: In some parts of Singapore, you may see "getai" performances, which are outdoor stages where performers sing and entertain both the living and the spirits. These performances are believed to offer entertainment to the ghosts.
- Prayers for Ancestral Respect: Families often visit temples or ancestral shrines to pay respect and pray for good fortune for the living family members.
The Dos and Don’ts During the Hungry Ghost Festival
While the Hungry Ghost Festival is a time of respect, reverence, and remembrance, it also comes with certain cultural taboos. Here are the essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
Dos:
- Show Respect for the Offerings: If you see offerings being made in public areas, do not disturb or touch them. These are meant for the spirits, and it’s important to show respect for the rituals being observed.
- Respect Traditions: If you are invited to join a family or community celebration, participate with respect. Offer your prayers, show gratitude, and follow any customs that are part of the gathering.
- Be Cautious at Night: Ghost Month is associated with spirits walking the Earth, and it’s advised to be especially cautious if you're out late at night. Avoid walking alone, and try not to disturb places where offerings have been left.
- Honour Ancestors: If you're part of a Chinese family, this is an excellent time to pay your respects to your ancestors, either by visiting their graves or making offerings at home.
Don'ts:
- Don’t Pick Up Offerings: Avoid picking up or disturbing the food, joss paper, or other offerings left for the spirits. It’s considered disrespectful and may bring bad luck.
- Don’t Whistle at Night: Many people believe that whistling at night during Ghost Month can attract spirits. It’s best to avoid this practice, as it’s considered an invitation to the restless spirits.
- Avoid Swimming: Some believe that the spirits may cause accidents or drownings during this time, so it's advised not to swim or engage in water activities, particularly in the evening.
- Don’t Argue or Cause Conflict: Since the festival is about maintaining peace and harmony, avoid conflicts or arguments during this time, as it’s believed to invite misfortune.
- Don’t Point at People or Images of Deceased: Pointing at people, especially older individuals, or at images of the deceased, is considered disrespectful and invites bad energy.
Conclusion
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a vibrant and meaningful occasion in Singapore, rooted in deep cultural traditions that honour ancestors and appease restless spirits. By understanding its customs and observances, both residents and visitors can enjoy a respectful and harmonious experience. Whether you’re part of the celebration or simply observing, following the dos and don’ts will help ensure that you contribute to the peaceful atmosphere of Ghost Month.
For those in Singapore during the Hungry Ghost Festival, it’s a chance to witness the rich cultural practices and participate in a significant part of the country’s traditional heritage.
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