Funny taboos to avoid during Ghost festivals!

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The top 10 'taboos' to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan

CNA
August 17, 2015 TWN

TAIPEI -- The Chinese Ghost Month (鬼月), observed in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is once again upon us, this year running from Aug. 14 to Sept. 12. During the festival the gates of hell are opened and all of the hungry ghosts are released to the world in search of food, money, entertainment, and what not.

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.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the following are some handy tips to avoid any phantom faux pas or ghoulish gaffes during Ghost Month:

1. Don't go swimming: This restriction seems to have the widest consensus among those who observe Ghost Month. It is considered highly dangerous to go swimming because it is believed that evil spirits that had drowned may try to drown the swimmer to gain a chance at rebirth. The upside for non-believers is that the beaches are pretty much empty for the whole month.

2. Don't go out alone at night: Young children and young adults in particular should avoid going out alone after dark as it is believed that wandering ghosts can more easily possess the young.

3. Don't whistle, especially after dark: Whistling is thought to attract evil spirits and once they've been lured in, they may follow the person around for long periods of time, bringing ill fortune.

4. Don't sit in the front row of Gezaixi shows: This is probably one of the biggest pitfalls for newbie foreigners during month. Beware that the front row of Gezaixi (Taiwanese opera) shows performed on the streets should be avoided at all costs because it is strictly reserved for spectral spectators only.

5. Don't pick up money on the street: People are admonished not to pick up real money or take it home because it will bring them bad luck. Picking up a hell bank note (joss paper) is considered an insult to the spirits and a bad omen as well.

6. Don't just turn your head around if someone pats you on the shoulder: It is believed that the living have two protective flames, one on each shoulder. If a ghost pats you on the back and you only turn your head, you'll snuff out that protective flame, thus making you vulnerable. To avoid this, turn the whole body at once instead of just the head.

7. Do not kill rare insects in your house: Some believe that their ancestors come to visit their relatives in the reincarnated form of a rare insect. The definition of "rare" is debatable, but basically a type of insect that has rarely if ever been spotted in your house before such as butterflies, grasshoppers or moths, and for their part, roaches are probably not considered "rare."

8. Don't hang clothes outside to dry: The thinking with this is that devious spirits will wear your clothes as a way to sneak into your house.

9. Don't lean against the wall: Ghosts apparently like to stick on walls because they're cooler, so don't push your luck and lean against them during the month.

10. Don't pee on a tree: Apparently, soldiers in the field know well that urinating on a tree could anger tree spirits which will seek vengeance upon you.


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