Hungry Ghost Festival (History, Legends, Activities, and Things to Avoid )

Many Chinese festivals and traditions emphasize ancestral veneration.

The Chinese, as well as other Eastern cultures such as the Japanese and Koreans, greatly revere those who have passed away. For them, death is simply a transformation, as the spirit of the dead continues to live on in another world. This means that many Chinese believe their ancestors are still watching over them, and in fact, many believe that ancestors can protect their descendants and even bestow good luck.

With that being said, the Hungry Ghost Festival is one of China’s major festivals focused on honoring ancestors, just like other festivals such as the famous Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Festival) and the Double Ninth Festival.

The Hungry Ghost Festival is also known as the Zhongyuan Festival (中元節) and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. As with many other Chinese festivals, it follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar rather than the standard Gregorian calendar. As a result, the Hungry Ghost Festival falls on different dates each year, although it is always around July or August.

The festival celebrates a day when the gates of the underworld are believed to open, releasing spirits into the world of the living. On this day, it is also believed that the spirits of ancestors visit their living families to feast together.

In this post, we will learn everything you need to know about the Hungry Ghost Festival, but let us begin by discussing the history behind it.

Origin and History of Hungry Ghost Festival

The concepts of the afterlife, the underworld, and spirits have been deeply embedded in the history of ancient China, especially after Buddhism was introduced around 200–220 BCE.

According to Chinese Buddhism, on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the goddess Guan Yin opens the gates of the underworld, allowing spirits to enter the world of the living. These “hungry” spirits then wander the world in search of food and entertainment.

Historical records show that the ancient Chinese have venerated their ancestors since the Warring States period. In the early days, only the emperor and wealthy nobles could afford to do so, but over time, honoring ancestors became a tradition observed by everyone, from the rich and the poor to nobles and commoners alike.

However, it was during the Eastern Han dynasty that the concept of the Hungry Ghost Festival was truly solidified, becoming a nationwide tradition, although it was still not considered a major festival at that time.

The Tang Dynasty period (618–907 AD) further established the Hungry Ghost Festival as one of the most important festivals in China. During this period, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty declared the festival mandatory, and it has been observed annually ever since.

The Daoist Roots: Zhongyuan Festival and the Earth Official

While the Buddhist tale of Mulian is the most famous origin story for the festival, it also has deep and distinct roots in Daoism. In the Daoist tradition, the 7th lunar month is closely associated with the “Three Officials” (San Guan), who are deities responsible for granting blessings, pardoning sins, and relieving suffering.

The 15th day of the 7th month marks the birthday of the Earth Official (Di Guan), making this day the “Zhongyuan” or Mid-Origin Festival. According to Daoist beliefs, the Earth Official descends to the mortal realm on this specific day to pardon the sins of both the living and the dead. This adds a profound layer of spiritual cleansing and forgiveness to the festival. It beautifully complements the Buddhist focus on relieving the suffering of ancestors and the folk focus on appeasing wandering ghosts, creating a rich, multi-layered spiritual event.

Legends and Folktales Behind the Hungry Ghost Festival

As with other festivals in China, the Hungry Ghost Festival is based on legends and folktales. There are many versions explaining its origin, but the most widely known tells the story of a child named Mulian.

According to this popular Chinese Buddhist tale, recorded in a Dunhuang manuscript dating back to the 9th century AD, Mulian was an orphan who gained the power to travel to heaven. He used this ability to search for his parents.

Mulian successfully found his father in heaven, and they were both overjoyed by the reunion. However, he also discovered that his mother was not in heaven, but in hell. She had been punished because, during her lifetime, she stole money that should have been given to wandering monks.

Mulian was deeply saddened by this and desperately wanted to rescue his mother from hell. Seeking a solution, he asked the Buddha for guidance. The Buddha instructed Mulian to prepare food offerings and gifts for monks and monasteries on the 15th day of the 7th month, in order to atone for his mother’s sins and seek forgiveness on her behalf.

Due to Mulian’s devotion, his mother was freed from hell and reunited with his father in heaven.

Activities and Traditions During the Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival can be considered unique among other Chinese festivals, especially because it involves strong beliefs related to ghosts and spirits.

Many of the traditions and activities performed during the Hungry Ghost Festival are intended to ward off misfortune and bad luck caused by wandering spirits. As a result, many of these practices are designed to avoid disturbing or disrespecting the spirits that are believed to be released during the festival.

Here are some of the core activities performed during the Hungry Ghost Festival:

Offering Food and Gifts

One of the most important traditions during this festival is preparing food offerings to appease the hungry spirits, hence the name of the festival. People may either set up a table of offerings or simply place food and gifts in public spaces, such as on the streets.

Visiting Temples

Buddhist temples and pavilions are among the main places where people leave food offerings. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, people also visit temples to burn joss paper offerings shaped like money, houses, cars, and other items. According to tradition, spirits can take these offerings back to the underworld after they are burned.

Setting Up Incense

Incense offerings are a very important element of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Incense symbolizes respect for ancestral spirits who return to the world of the living during the festival. In addition, placing incense in front of shops or businesses is believed to attract wealth and good fortune.

Lighting Lanterns and Candles

During the festival, people often light candles and lanterns to guide the spirits of their ancestors. These lights are believed to act as markers, helping spirits find their way back to their families’ homes.

Getae Show

Getai is a type of Chinese opera specifically performed to entertain visiting spirits and ghosts. During a Getai performance, the front rows are left empty, often with incense placed on the seats. These shows are held to honor wandering spirits and entertain them before they return to the underworld.

Things to Avoid During Hungry Ghost Festival

Due to the unique nature of the festival that is basically about superstitions, there are also taboos that should be observed during the festival celebration.

If you happen to visit China or other countries that celebrate the festival during the time of the Hungry Ghost Festival, it’s best to know what things you shouldn’t do throughout the festival celebration:

• Don’t step on roadside offerings

As mentioned above, people often leave their food and gifts offerings on the streets during the time of the festival. If you accidentally step (or kick) on these offerings, you should ask for forgiveness immediately. It is believed that if the spirits despised your attitude, then you’ll be followed by them, which often leads to bad luck.

• Color taboos

Avoid wearing anything colored red or black during the time of the festival. Traditions dictated that the spirits are often attracted by red or black color. If you don’t want to be disturbed or possessed by these hungry spirits, it’s best to avoid these two colors.

• Don’t come home late

It’s best to avoid wandering around at night during the time of this festival. Also, avoid taking pictures at night.

Expanded Taboos: More Things to Avoid During the Ghost Month

Beyond the basic rules of respecting roadside offerings and avoiding certain colors, the “Ghost Month” (the entire 7th lunar month, rather than just the 15th day) comes with a specific set of daily taboos. Many of these are designed to keep people safe, maintain harmony, and prevent accidental encounters with spirits.

Whistling at Night In Chinese folklore, whistling is believed to mimic the eerie sounds of the underworld. Doing so at night is thought to attract wandering spirits who might mistake the sound for a call from their own kind.

Picking Up Money on the Street If you see cash or a red envelope on the ground during the Ghost Month, leave it alone. It is often placed there as an offering to spirits or used in “ghost marriage” rituals. Taking it is considered stealing from the dead and is believed to invite severe bad luck.

Swimming in Rivers or the Sea Water is considered a highly “yin” (dark, cold, and passive) element in Chinese philosophy. Folklore warns of “water ghosts” (shui gui) who might pull careless swimmers underwater to find a substitute, allowing the trapped spirit to finally be reincarnated.

Hanging Clothes Outside at Night Spirits wandering the streets at night might see wet clothes hanging outside as an invitation to try them on. It is also said that if a spirit wears your clothes, it leaves behind negative energy that can make the wearer feel unwell.

Calling Out Full Names If you are out late with friends, avoid calling each other by your full names. Spirits are believed to memorize names, and hearing your full name called out in the dark might invite unwanted spiritual attachment.

Regional Traditions: Pudu Ceremonies and Ghost Marriages

While the core of the Hungry Ghost Festival remains the same across China, regional variations add fascinating cultural layers to the celebration, particularly in the southern provinces.

Pudu (Universal Salvation) In Southern Chinese provinces like Fujian and Guangdong, as well as in Taiwan and Chaoshan, the festival features massive “Pudu” ceremonies. Communities pool their resources to build giant, elaborate altars piled high with food, sweets, and sacrifices.

The goal is to offer a grand feast to all wandering spirits, ensuring none are left hungry or neglected. These events often transform from solemn rituals into vibrant community block parties, complete with local opera performances and shared feasts.

Ghost Marriages (Minghun) Though much rarer today, the historical practice of ghost marriages is closely tied to the 7th month. In traditional Chinese culture, dying unmarried is considered a great tragedy, and the spirit is believed to be restless and lonely.

Families sometimes arrange marriages between two deceased individuals to ensure the departed soul has a companion in the afterlife. The Ghost Month is considered an auspicious time to perform these rituals, as the gates of the underworld are open.

Hungry Ghost Festival in Other Cultures

Japan: Obon Festival

In Japan, there’s a festival that is really similar to the Hungry Ghost Festival, called Obon Festival. However, there are also some differences in how the festival is celebrated.

While in celebrating the Hungry Ghost Festival people are encouraged to follow curfew and avoid the evil spirits, the Obon Festival is celebrated in a different approach where people are instead encouraged to spend time with the spirits around them.

There are also some similarities between the two festivals, like lighting up candles and lanterns to provide directions to the ancestral spirits. However, there are some activities that are unique to the Obon festival, like Bon Odori, a type of traditional dance accompanied by Taiko drums, designed to entertain the spirits.

Indonesia: Sembahyang Rebutan

The Sembahyang Rebutan (literally translated to “praying and grabbing”) Festival celebrated in some areas in Indonesia is quite similar to the Hungry Spirit Festival. It is celebrated during the time when the gate of the underworld is believed to be opened so the spirits can return to their living family’s houses. The people would also offer food and gifts (fruits, rice, cakes) for their ancestors, and typically they’ll prepare empty seats at their houses for the ancestors along with the ancestors’ friends in the underworld.

Also, during this time many temples and organizations will also offer food for the poor (rice, meat, fruits, snacks, etc.), and the poor people will often try to grab the food and gifts as fast as possible (hence the name “rebutan” or “to grab” of the festival).

Modern Adaptations: Eco-Friendly Practices and Digital Offerings

As Chinese society modernizes, the Hungry Ghost Festival has naturally evolved to fit contemporary urban life, environmental concerns, and technological advancements.

Eco-Friendly Burning Traditionally, burning joss paper (spirit money) is done in open streets, sidewalks, or crossroads. Today, many modern cities provide designated, eco-friendly burning bins to reduce air pollution and fire hazards. Some urban families have also shifted to offering fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetarian food instead of burning paper.

Digital Offerings The digital age has even reached the underworld. It is now common to see people burning paper offerings shaped like smartphones, laptops, and luxury cars, complete with paper “credit cards” and “Wi-Fi routers.” Furthermore, some tech companies and temples have introduced online memorial platforms where people can light virtual candles, offer digital incense, and send e-cards to ancestors.

A Shift in Perspective For the younger generation, the Ghost Month is increasingly viewed less as a time of fear and strict superstition, and more as a unique cultural heritage. It is a time for family reunions, enjoying traditional street food, and appreciating the deep-rooted Chinese philosophy of filial piety, compassion for all beings, and remembering those who came before us.

End Words

The Hungry Ghost Festival is often misunderstood by outsiders as merely a spooky or superstitious event. However, at its core, it is a profound expression of filial piety, compassion, and universal harmony. It beautifully weaves together Buddhist teachings of salvation, Daoist practices of forgiveness, and ancient folk traditions of community care.

By feeding the hungry spirits and honoring ancestors, the living demonstrate a deep sense of empathy that extends far beyond the grave. Whether through burning traditional joss paper, participating in a grand Pudu ceremony, or simply leaving a quiet offering of fruit by the roadside, the festival reminds us that our bonds with those who came before us never truly break. Ultimately, this unique celebration stands as a beautiful testament to the enduring belief that love, respect, and memory can gracefully bridge the gap between the world of the living and the realm of the spirits.

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