HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL

ORIGIN: China

The Hungry Ghost Festival is also known as Zhongyuan Festival in China, Obon in Japan, and Ghost Month in other Asian cultures.

It is an ancient tradition from Buddhist and Taoist beliefs and is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month which is said to be the time when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits walk among the living.

These spirits, known as "hungry ghosts" (餓鬼, èguǐ), are the restless souls of those who died without proper burials, suffered terrible deaths, or were forgotten by their descendants. 

These ghosts have bloated stomachs and tiny mouths—- a symbol of their eternal hunger and their inability to satisfy their food cravings.

To appease them, families make offerings of food, incense, and paper money, burning all of them as a way to send wealth and sustenance to the spirits. 

In some regions, people float lanterns on rivers to guide lost souls back to the afterlife.

It is also believed to be a time, to avoid staying out late, swimming, or making big life decisions to avoid angering the ghosts. 

Even today, many Asian communities hold large celebrations and ceremonies to honor this scary and deeply respected tradition.