The Zhongyuan Festival

The Zhongyuan Festival

The Zhongyuan Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month in Chinese culture. It is a time when people pay respect to the spirits of the dead and perform various rituals to ensure their well-being in the afterlife. Here are some of the main customs associated with the Zhongyuan Festival:

1. Offering Sacrifices to Ancestors and Ghosts (祭祀祖先和亡灵)
One of the most important customs of the Zhongyuan Festival is making offerings to ancestors and the spirits of the deceased. Families prepare a variety of food items, such as fruits, vegetables, cooked meat, and rice, and place them on altars or at the gravesites. Incense is burned, and paper money, clothes, and other symbolic items made of paper are also offered. These offerings are believed to provide the spirits with the necessities they need in the afterlife. People bow and pray, expressing their respect and remembrance for their ancestors and hoping for their blessings.

2. Releasing River Lanterns (放河灯)
Releasing river lanterns is a widespread and symbolic custom during the Zhongyuan Festival. Lanterns are made from various materials like paper, bamboo, or wood, and are often decorated with colorful patterns. They are placed on rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water. The floating lanterns are thought to guide the lost souls of the dead back to the other world, helping them find their way. It is also believed that the light of the lanterns can dispel darkness and bring peace to the spirits. In some places, there are large-scale lantern-releasing events, with thousands of lanterns lighting up the water, creating a beautiful and solemn scene.

3. Holding Religious Ceremonies (举行宗教仪式)
Buddhists and Taoists hold special religious ceremonies on the Zhongyuan Festival. In Buddhist temples, monks conduct the “Ullambana” ceremony, which is based on the story of Maudgalyayana rescuing his mother from the underworld. They chant scriptures, offer food to the monks, and perform other rituals to relieve the suffering of the deceased. Taoist temples also hold rituals, with Taoist priests performing incantations and offering sacrifices to the gods and the spirits of the dead. These religious activities are aimed at helping the spirits achieve peace and liberation.

4. Avoiding Going Out at Night (夜晚避免外出)
Many people believe that on the night of the Zhongyuan Festival, the boundary between the living and the dead is blurred, and ghosts are more likely to roam the earth. To avoid any potential encounters with evil spirits or bad luck, some people choose to stay at home and avoid going out after dark. They believe that by staying indoors, they can protect themselves and their families from any harm that might be caused by the spirits. This custom reflects the traditional Chinese fear and respect for the supernatural world.

5. Burning Incense and Paper Offerings on the Streets (在街上焚香烧纸)
In addition to making offerings at home or at the gravesites, some people also burn incense and paper offerings on the streets during the Zhongyuan Festival. They create small altars on the roadside and place their offerings there. This is done to show respect and provide for the wandering spirits that may not have families to care for them. However, in modern times, due to environmental and safety concerns, many places have restrictions on such outdoor burning activities, and people are encouraged to find more environmentally friendly ways to perform these rituals.

These customs of the Zhongyuan Festival are deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture and beliefs. They reflect people’s attitudes towards life and death, as well as their desire to maintain a connection with the spiritual world and ensure the well-being of both the living and the dead.