TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most significant traditional observances in Chinese culture and is widely observed in Singapore, Malaysia and other parts of Asia.
Held during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, commonly known as Hungry Ghost Month, the festival is traditionally associated with a period when spirits are believed to return to the human world.
According to traditional beliefs, as cited by the World of Feng Shui, ancestors visit their families during this period, while wandering spirits without descendants or proper remembrance also roam in search of food, prayers and offerings. The month is therefore not only a time to honor ancestors but also an occasion to show compassion toward forgotten spirits.
At its heart, Hungry Ghost Month is about remembrance, generosity and spiritual merit.
When Is Hungry Ghost Festival 2026?
In 2026, the seventh lunar month begins on Aug. 13 and ends on Sept. 10. The 15th day, traditionally regarded as the peak of Hungry Ghost Month, falls on Aug. 27.
Three dates are particularly significant:
- Aug. 13, 2026: The first day of the seventh lunar month.
- Aug. 27, 2026: The 15th day of the seventh lunar month and the main Hungry Ghost Festival.
- Sept. 10, 2026: The final day of the seventh lunar month.
Traditionally, the beginning of the month marks the opening of the gates between the spiritual and human worlds, while the final day marks the spirits' return to the spiritual realm.
How Do People Observe Hungry Ghost Month?
Families traditionally begin the month by preparing ancestral altars with photographs or tablets of departed relatives.
Offerings may include home-cooked food, fruit, tea, incense and candles. Paper offerings, sometimes known as "hell money" or "hell notes," may also be burned as symbolic provisions for deceased family members.
As evening approaches, some families also place food, incense and paper offerings outdoors for wandering spirits who have no descendants to remember or care for them.
These offerings may be repeated throughout the month.
The practice reflects the festival's broader emphasis on compassion: families honor their own ancestors while also acknowledging spirits believed to have been forgotten.
What Happens on the 15th Day?
The 15th day of the seventh lunar month is considered the climax of Hungry Ghost Month.
In Taoist tradition, the day is associated with Di Guan Da Di, or the Earth Official, one of the Three Heavenly Officials. He is traditionally believed to examine people's deeds, grant forgiveness and relieve the suffering of wandering spirits.
Temples may hold elaborate ceremonies featuring prayers, chanting, incense and large offerings. Paper offerings can represent money, clothing, houses and other necessities for the spirit world.
Traditional Chinese opera, music and other performances may also be staged during the festival. In some traditions, these performances are considered entertainment not only for the living but also for visiting spirits.
How Do People Say Goodbye to the Spirits?
The final day of the seventh lunar month is traditionally a time to bid farewell to the spirits.
Before the month ends, families may place food offerings, incense and symbolic paper offerings by the roadside to provide spirits with provisions for their journey back to the spiritual realm.
The rituals are generally completed before midnight, when the gates between the two realms are traditionally believed to close.
What Is Chanted During Hungry Ghost Month?
Some Buddhists use the month to recite the Kitigarbha Sutra and the Kitigarbha mantra, dedicating the merit of their practice to deceased relatives and wandering spirits.
Kitigarbha is a bodhisattva associated with helping beings suffering in the lower realms. Devotees believe such practices can help relieve suffering, accumulate merit and support a better rebirth or progress toward enlightenment.
The mantra may be recited in Sanskrit, Tibetan or Chinese, depending on the practitioner's tradition.
What Incense Is Used During Hungry Ghost Month?
Incense is an important part of many Hungry Ghost Month rituals. Common varieties include:
- Sandalwood: Known for its calming fragrance.
- Frankincense: Traditionally valued for its purifying and uplifting aroma.
- Agarwood: Considered a high-grade incense and used in some traditions for offerings to celestial beings or during Kitigarbha practices.
Practices and preferences vary among families, temples and Buddhist or Taoist traditions.
What Are the Traditional Hungry Ghost Month Taboos?
Because the seventh lunar month is traditionally associated with increased spiritual activity, some families observe taboos intended to avoid attracting unwanted attention from spirits.
Customs differ across communities, but commonly cited taboos include:
1. Do not hang wet clothes outdoors overnight.
2. Avoid leaning against walls or standing in dark corners.
3. Avoid staying out late at night unnecessarily.
4. Do not swim after dark.
5. Avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals.
6. Do not stand beneath large trees at night.
7. Do not immediately respond if someone calls your name late at night.
8. Avoid tapping people on the head or shoulders.
9. Do not pick up red packets, money or coins found on the ground.
10. Avoid whistling at night.
Some people also postpone major life events during the seventh lunar month, including weddings, moving house, opening a business and significant financial commitments.
These practices are traditional beliefs and superstitions rather than universal religious requirements, and observance varies considerably among families and communities.
Is Hungry Ghost Month Really About Fear?
Despite its popular image as a frightening period, the festival has a deeper emphasis on filial piety, remembrance, compassion and generosity.
The seventh lunar month gives families an opportunity to honor their ancestors and extend offerings to wandering spirits. For many Buddhists and Taoists, rituals performed during the period are connected to repentance, merit and compassion rather than fear.
The festival also carries a practical message: traditions surrounding offerings encourage people to be considerate of their surroundings and others when burning incense or paper offerings.
What Is the Meaning of Hungry Ghost Festival?
Hungry Ghost Festival is ultimately a reminder of the relationship between the living and the departed in traditional Chinese culture.
Its rituals vary across countries, religions and families, but the central themes remain familiar: remembering ancestors, showing generosity, helping those who have been forgotten and practicing compassion.
Rather than viewing the seventh lunar month solely as a time to fear spirits, understanding its cultural and religious context reveals why the tradition has remained important across generations.
