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Ghost Festival (Hungry Ghost Month)
The seventh lunar month when the gates of the spirit world open and ancestors roam the earth.
August 10Lunar calendar
Why It Matters
During the Ghost Festival the gates of hell open and spirits roam. Taoist and Buddhist traditions merge in elaborate rituals to honor and appease wandering spirits, ensuring they do not trouble the living.
How It Is Observed
Burning joss paper (ghost money) for ancestors, elaborate food offerings on roadside altars, releasing water lanterns to guide spirits, Chinese opera performed for spirits.
Sacred Text
“All things arise together, and I watch their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source.”
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16 ↗
Note on dates: This holiday follows a lunar or lunisolar calendar. The date shown is approximate for 2025–2026. Exact dates may vary by one or two days depending on moon sighting and regional tradition. Always confirm with your local community.