What other countries celebrate the Ghost Festival?
Japan
The Obon Festival was introduced from China during the Sui and Tang dynasties. In cities, it is celebrated from the 13th to the 16th of July, while in rural areas, it is held from the 13th to the 16th of August. Before the 13th, people clean the tombs, receive the souls of ancestors on the 13th, and send them off on the 16th. There is also a custom of offering gifts for the Ghost Festival, and people gather to perform a dance called "Bon Odori," focusing on hand movements.
Korea
In Korea, the "Ghost Festival" is known as "Bakjungje," "Bakjokje," or "Wanghunje," which is a traditional Korean festival. It originated from the Chinese Ghost Festival and the Obon Festival, and then developed its own unique characteristics. The Korean Ghost Festival retains a significant meaning of celebrating the harvest in autumn, while rituals such as ancestor worship and offerings to the spirits are secondary.
Singapore
In the Chinese communities of Singapore, besides traditional customs such as ancestor worship and offering sacrifices, there is also a special performance activity to entertain the spirits, locally known as "July Stage" or simply "Stage."
Malaysia
In the Chinese communities of Malaysia, the Ghost Festival is also called "Obon Festival" or "Celebration of the Ghost Festival." Besides traditional customs, performances, and operas of various regional backgrounds, they also use the form of "Stage" like the areas in Singapore to entertain the spirits.
The Obon Festival was introduced from China during the Sui and Tang dynasties. In cities, it is celebrated from the 13th to the 16th of July, while in rural areas, it is held from the 13th to the 16th of August. Before the 13th, people clean the tombs, receive the souls of ancestors on the 13th, and send them off on the 16th. There is also a custom of offering gifts for the Ghost Festival, and people gather to perform a dance called "Bon Odori," focusing on hand movements.
Korea
In Korea, the "Ghost Festival" is known as "Bakjungje," "Bakjokje," or "Wanghunje," which is a traditional Korean festival. It originated from the Chinese Ghost Festival and the Obon Festival, and then developed its own unique characteristics. The Korean Ghost Festival retains a significant meaning of celebrating the harvest in autumn, while rituals such as ancestor worship and offerings to the spirits are secondary.
Singapore
In the Chinese communities of Singapore, besides traditional customs such as ancestor worship and offering sacrifices, there is also a special performance activity to entertain the spirits, locally known as "July Stage" or simply "Stage."
Malaysia
In the Chinese communities of Malaysia, the Ghost Festival is also called "Obon Festival" or "Celebration of the Ghost Festival." Besides traditional customs, performances, and operas of various regional backgrounds, they also use the form of "Stage" like the areas in Singapore to entertain the spirits.
What are the restrictions on sleeping time during the Ghost Festival?
On the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is the Ghost Festival, it is the day when the Lord of the Earth forgives sins. In ancient times, people still went out at night to release floating lanterns and hold gunpowder ceremonies for worship, so there are no specific restrictions on when to go to sleep. Just pay attention to your rest time.
The cultural history of the Ghost Festival
The perfection and enrichment of China's ghost culture have been contributed by both Taoism and Buddhism. Taoism is a native product, while Buddhism was introduced from the Western Regions during the Han and Wei dynasties. It integrated with Confucian culture and secular culture. The world of the afterlife (also called the netherworld in Buddhism) where ghosts live has gradually been built up through the long development of Taoism and Buddhism.
