Ghost Month

After my first experience in Taiwan, I never viewed Halloween the same. 

It was because of Ghost Month.

For the first time, my childhood ideas of cute Casper like spirits were dashed upon the reality of the fears of Taiwan's Ghost Month. Never again when hearing the word ghost, would I get the image of a child clad in a white sheet.

Ghost Month, observed the seventh month of the lunar calendar, runs from August 14 to September 12. During this festival, many believe the gates of hell are opened and all of the hungry ghosts are released into the world in search of food, money,  and entertainment.

A "hungry ghost" is a being that has been sent to the underworld to suffer an eternal state of hunger for their misdeeds or for not having a proper burial. Once a year, they are set free from hell and are given the opportunity to satiate some of their cravings and perhaps gain some good karma for a reincarnation into a better life with the help of their family members.

Since living on campus this year, Ghost Month has not impacted our daily life as much. I have not woken up to smoke billowing through an open window as my neighbor burns "money" to appease the ghosts.  My neighbors here do not put out tables laden with food to satisfy the "hungry" ghosts. 

As you can imagine, fear is the driving force. It may sound funny to us, but the fear is real, life changing and life controlling.

To help you understand, the following is an excerpt of an article referring to Ghost Month.

In Taiwanese culture, the seventh lunar month of each year, roughly around August in the Gregorian calendar, is Ghost Month. According to legend, during this month, the gates of the afterlife are opened, and ghosts roam the living world. To appease spirits, people often burn spirit paper money and set out food and drink offerings. People also avoid doing certain things, such as swimming or getting married, during this time.

Here are 10 Things you might not have known about Ghost Month:

1. Born in August? No Birthday Celebrations Allowed!

According to custom, celebrating birthdays during Ghost Month is considered taboo, since spirits will be drawn to the ruckus. It also offends spirits when you celebrate life in their presence, so maybe it’s better to just keep the celebrations to a minimum. Just be glad you were born at all though, because…

2. Couples go into hibernation 

That’s right. Weddings, engagements, breakups, moving in together, anniversary dinners, honeymoons, and babies (yes you are “strongly advised” against giving birth during Ghost Month!) are all taboo during Ghost Month. Sorry couples.

That is, unless you’re a spirit. Because then…

3. Ghosts get married instead

 
During Ghost Month, the relatives of those who passed on before marriage hold “weddings” for spirit brides and grooms, due to the fact that dying before marriage is considered one of the worst tragedies in Taiwanese culture.

So, why not get hitched in the afterlife instead?

4. 220,000 tons of money go into the afterlife

In order to appease spirits, Taiwanese often burn money to transport it into the afterlife. The money burned isn’t real currency, but it’s believed to hold actual value in the spirit world. It’s estimated that Taiwan burns about 220,000 tons of spirit money annually.

5. The economy dies too

Due to the numerous taboos surrounding Ghost Month, including one where you shouldn’t make any large financial/business decision, the economy often plummets during this time. Car sales, housing sales, and business deals, ranging from wedding bookings to corporate merges, all nosedive during this time.

6. Empty concerts seats are a good thing

Along with money and food offerings, traditional concerts and shows are often held for the ghosts’ viewing pleasure. Traditionally, during these shows, the first row of chairs is always left empty for the spirits. It’s believed if you sit in those seats, it might invite a spirit to come and possess you.

7. Water is not

Swimming, walking alongside rivers, buying fish tanks, even taking out wet clothes for drying at nighttime is considered unlucky during Ghost Month. This is because water is believed to be a very “yin” element, meaning spirits are oftentimes attracted to it. On the other hand….

8. Fire = The New Fed-Ex

Turns out, money isn’t the only thing that gets burned. Paper houses, complete with paper furniture and paper plumbing, are also burned as a way of sending things to the afterlife. Similar to the money, the houses are meant to materialize as actual houses in the underworld.

9. Ghosts get hungry too

Ghost Month is also commonly known as Hungry Ghost Month. It’s said when the spirits come from the underworld, they’re all starving due to the fact that anything they try to eat turns to fire on their lips. This is why you’ll often see tables out on the street during Ghost Month, covered in food offerings for the spirits.

10. Ghosts remember good deeds

Food isn’t offered and money isn’t burned just because people are scared to face the wrath of the supernatural. It’s also believed that if you treat a spirit right, with paper money offerings, food and entertainment, they will bring you good luck in the coming year.

How the the lies and deception  began by satan must sadden the heart of God!

Please pray for Taiwanese Christians, especially those who are alone in their faith among family members. Pray for my students who may come from unbelieving homes. These are the realities of their lives. Pray their eyes will be opened to God's love and truth!

Tomorrow, Friday August 28, marks the half way point of ghost month. Many Taiwanese will be offering sacrifices. Many will participate in bai bai (worship). It is heart breaking, because the One True God loves them and sees them, and yearns for them to turn to Him.