Every year on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (typically falling in mid-to-late August), China observes one of its most ancient spiritual events: the Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as the Zhongyuan Festival in Taoism or the Ullambana Festival in Buddhism).
While frequently introduced to Western travelers as “Halloween in China,” the two celebrations stem from different cultural roots. Where Western Halloween revolves around lighthearted trick-or-treating, costumes, and playful scares, the Hungry Ghost Festival is centered on filial piety, honoring ancestral memory, and extending hospitality to visiting spirits.
Spiritual Roots & Ancient Beliefs
According to traditional folk beliefs, the gates of the underworld open during the 7th lunar month. It is believed that King Yama releases departed spirits for a full half-month, allowing them to return to the realm of the living. Families formally welcome their ancestors at the beginning of the month and perform send-off ceremonies on July 15th of the lunar calendar.
The festival integrates deep Buddhist and Taoist traditions:
● Buddhism & Filial Piety (Ullambana): Buddhist doctrine teaches that by presenting ritual offerings on this sacred day, believers can liberate deceased parents and ancestors from hardship in their afterlife.
● Folk Traditions & Spiritual Comfort: Communities host rituals to provide food, netherworld currency, and warmth for wandering souls, preserving harmony between the living world and the spiritual realm.
Iconic Folk Customs & Rituals
Floating Lotus Water Lanterns
Releasing water lanterns onto rivers and lakes is considered the grandest spectacle of the festival. Handcrafted into the shape of lotus flowers, each lantern holds a small candle or lamp inside before being set adrift at night.
This custom is tied to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. Living humans belong to Yang, whereas spirits and water belong to Yin. The mysterious underworld is traditionally associated with cold, deep waters where souls endure suffering; floating lit lanterns across dark waters serves to illuminate the path for ancestors and guide wandering ghosts.
Burning Paper Money in Named Envelopes
To ensure departed ancestors have currency to spend in the afterlife, families burn ritual paper money during the July 15th send-off ceremonies. In a unique tradition, families place the ritual paper currency inside envelopes inscribed with the specific recipient's name, guaranteeing that the spiritual gifts reach the intended ancestor.
The Custom of “Sending Goats”
A popular regional folk tradition dictates that a grandfather or maternal uncle presents a live goat to his young grandson or nephew during the festival. Tracing back to the ancient legend of Chenxiang Saving His Mother from the Mountain, this custom gradually evolved over generations into gifting a handcrafted pair of delicate flour goats.
Torches, Bonfires & Street Celebrations
Bright lights and bonfires play a central role in driving away bad luck and praying for a bountiful harvest. Villages erect massive central torches bound with dried pine wood and lightwood, while individual households place smaller torches outside their front doors. At dusk, family members carry lit torches to illuminate every room and corner of their home before walking along the perimeter of their farmland to bless the crops.
When night falls, illuminated villages become as bright as day. Young men and women gather around central bonfires to sing and dance throughout the night, playing traditional folk instruments like the yusheng, yueqin (moon lute), and sanxian (three-stringed plucked instrument). Celebrations feature a wide array of energetic folk activities:
● Horse races and bullfights
● Arrow shooting and wrestling matches
● Tug-of-war competitions and swinging
● Religious harvest rituals and bustling local trade fairs
Global Reach & Regional Observance
Over centuries, these traditions spread across East and Southeast Asia, with vibrant annual celebrations taking place in Chinese communities throughout Thailand, Japan, North Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Hungry Ghost Festival called “Halloween in China”?
A: It is called “China’s Halloween” because both festivals take place around seasonal transitions and focus on the relationship between the living and the realm of spirits. However, the Hungry Ghost Festival is focused on filial piety, ancestral veneration, and peaceful offerings rather than costumes or candy.
Q: When is the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrated?
A: The main festival takes place on the 15th day of the 7th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which usually corresponds to mid-to-late August in the Gregorian calendar. Related ancestral customs continue throughout the entire 7th lunar month.
Q: What is the meaning behind floating lotus lanterns?
A: Floating lotus water lanterns are released onto rivers to guide spirits through dark waters. Because water is connected to the spiritual concept of Yin, these flickering lights serve as beacons to honor ancestors and assist wandering souls.