The Ghost Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is believed to be the day when the gates of the underworld are opened. Want to learn more about the Ghost Festival? The seventh lunar month is called "Lan Yue" (orchid month) because many types of orchids bloom in this month and emit a fragrant scent. More information about the seventh lunar month can be found on Huayi Network.

Can you burn paper money before the Ghost Festival?

The Ghost Festival involves ancestral worship and tomb sweeping, which requires strict rules and etiquette. You should not go beyond these boundaries, as it might upset your ancestors. Therefore, burning paper money should follow the proper procedures and should not be done in advance.
1. Time for Tomb Sweeping
Tomb sweeping activities that do not follow the regulations will have little effect on honoring ancestors. Therefore, the time for tomb sweeping during the Ghost Festival should be strictly followed. It is best to sweep tombs after 9 PM, but not later than midnight; if done during the day, it should be completed before noon (12 PM).
2. Appropriate Attire
When going to sweep tombs, you should wear formal and solemn clothes, preferably simple and plain-colored outfits. Avoid wearing bright red or green clothes, especially those with inappropriate patterns or characters. Additionally, people who are weak or have high yin energy, such as pregnant women, patients, and children under seven years old, should avoid tomb sweeping if possible.

What are the taboos of holding a funeral and tomb sweeping on the Ghost Festival?

1. Do not whistle
Whistling can attract ghosts and lead them to follow you. Moreover, whistling is an unseemly act, and doing so at a cemetery would be disrespectful to the deceased. Therefore, it is best to control yourself and avoid whistling.
2. Do not eat offerings without permission
During tomb sweeping, people often bring a lot of offerings. These offerings are meant for the ancestors. Whether they are your own or not, eating them without permission may anger the spirits and bring you misfortune.
3. Do not step on the burnt paper money
Paper money is also an offering to the ancestors. When burned, ghosts gather nearby to collect it. If you jump or walk around while burning the paper money, you might hinder their actions, and the angry spirits may harm you.
4. Do not burn paper money随意
Paper money is burned for the ancestors, while gold paper is burned for the deities. Burning paper money in non-specific occasions other than the ritual may attract more ghosts. Also, you should not choose any random place to burn paper money at the cemetery, as burning it for the wrong person may upset the ancestors.
5. Do not take photos at the cemetery
The purpose of tomb sweeping is to honor ancestors, not for entertainment. There are gods watching above, so during tomb sweeping, you should maintain respect and caution. Do not take photos or pose for pictures at the cemetery, as it may invite negative energy and cause imbalance between the yin and yang, which could be harmful to you.
6. Do not bring outsiders to participate
It is considered taboo to allow outsiders to participate in tomb sweeping during the Ghost Festival, as it may bring unnecessary trouble. Since they are not family members, their energies differ, which may cause chaos in the spiritual atmosphere and result in bad luck.

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