Now, most people leave their hometowns to work elsewhere, so they are not always available in terms of time. Therefore, they may choose to visit the graves earlier or later. So, can the Ghost Festival be used to burn paper money at the grave earlier? Let's find out together. The seventh month of the lunar calendar is full of harvest, with a fragrance of autumn harvest everywhere. Such a good season should be even more joyful. Huayi Network interprets each day of the seventh lunar month for you.

Can Paper Be Burned at the Grave Before the Ghost Festival?

Generally, paper cannot be burned before the Ghost Festival;
According to legend, on the day of the Ghost Festival, all the souls in the underworld will be released, and the folk generally carry out activities to worship the souls. Families who have had recent deaths usually go to new graves, while generally, local areas also hold rituals to worship wandering souls, making it one of the largest traditional festivals for ancestor worship in China.
If paper is burned, incense is offered, or graves are visited earlier, then the souls of the deceased have not yet returned to the world of the living, and thus may not receive your intention. Therefore, according to general rules, the Ghost Festival should not be celebrated early by visiting the graves, offering incense, or burning paper.

Notes on Burning Paper at Graves

First, when buying paper money, do not buy printed products that come in stacks. It is better to buy yellow grass paper.
Second, draw a circle on the ground where the paper will be burned, and leave a gap in the northwest corner to allow the deceased relatives to enter and take the money.
Third, when burning the paper, maintain a serious expression, avoid laughing or playing around, and recite words, such as "Dear, I have brought you money to spend."
Fourth, make sure to watch the paper burn completely before leaving. This not only prevents fires but also ensures that the deceased can receive the money.

What Are the Customs of Burning Paper on the 15th Day of the Seventh Month?

The quantity of paper money burned is not important, but the number of "coins" on the paper money has great significance. The word "money" is composed of the three characters "gold, sword, and sword", so the number of "coins" on the paper money should be calculated using "gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin". One represents gold, two represents silver, three represents copper, four represents iron, five represents tin, six represents gold, seven represents silver, eight represents copper, nine represents iron, ten represents tin, and eleven represents gold.
The paper money burned on the 15th day of the seventh month should be arranged in rows of eight (eight coins), which is known as "seven for gods and eight for ghosts." Other numbers of holes are used for other purposes and are not suitable for burning on the Ghost Festival. When burning the paper, if it does not catch fire, do not disturb the paper, as this could cause the spirits to become disorganized and demand more offerings, leading to problems within the family of the person burning the paper. "Three parts fate, seven parts luck," fate has its hierarchy, and luck has its ups and downs.
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