This photo was taken back few month ago, at May. Used it for my blog post now as I don't have any new photo):
As you all know the Hungry ghost festival is coming soon already, are you scare? I did a research on Yahoo today because Meishan told me that this year Hungry ghost festival will be a fierce one it was all over the news she told me, but I found none. But saw some interesting thing at people blog. I should blog about it.
Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the major festivals in Chinese culture. It is a month-long festival celebrated on the 7th Lunar month and this year, it fell on 10th August. On that day, it is believed that the “Gates of Hell” are opened and the dead will return to the human world. During this period, many Chinese will try to AVOID moving in to a new house, getting married, staying out late etc.
- Cannot step on grasses as might be a tomb underneath
- Not to stay out too late
- When at night, people shout your name do not look back as you might this things that you won't want to see
- Do not cover your fringe as your forehead is considered as one of the "light" (There's 3 lights, both your shoulders and your forehead. either one light is off you might see things)
- If someone taps your shoulder your "lights" will go off, to turn the "light" back on snap your finger once at the place which the "light" is off
- Don't pluck your leg hair as you might see "things"
You can ignore my nonsense because I might just be superstitious, but I believe in those things ok. After my Grandmother passed away I'm not so scare of those things already, but still afraid.
If you find some unwanted coins scattered on the street, please don't try to pick them. They are for the 'Ox Head Horse Face" who patronizes the ghosts.
If you also notice, on the 14th day of the 7th month , there are sweets or sweet foods, joss sticks and candles place at the road side for prayer. This is also deem as unsuitable for consumption.
Some believe that those who commited suicide during this month will became a very fierce ghost!
Here is a few tips to you if you are staying in a hotel. Every single hotel, there shall be at least a permanent room which should be left vacant at all times. No matter how full the hotel are, they are not to sell that room(s) to any guest. It was said that special room was “reserved” for those “special visitors”. So, if you plan to stay in some hotel, always book in advance. Try to avoid walk in. If the receptionist told you there’s no more room available, do not insist one anymore or try to bribe them to give you a room. If you do that, most of the time the room you have will be that “special room”. Sometimes those “special visitors” might go to other rooms also. So here’s some tips on how to protect yourself:
Before entering your room, always knock on the door first, even you know the room is vacant. This is to tell them that you are coming in.
After you enter the room, if you felt very cold suddenly and have “chicken spore”, leave the room quietly immediately and go to reception to request to change room. Most of the time the receptionist will understand what’s happening.
After you enter the room, immediately switch on all of the lights, and open the curtain to let the sun light in.
Before you go to bed, arrange your shoes so that one of them is upside down. Some say this is representing yin & yang to protect you while you’re asleep.
Always leave at least a lamp on while you’re sleeping, preferably the toilet’s lamp.
If you’re staying alone and they have give you a twin bed, do not sleep with the other bed vacant, try to put your things like luggage on the other bed before you sleep.
Most important thing, pray before you sleep!
