In this post I am going to share with you some of the “DO NOTs” during this month and especially today! For those that don’t believe in ghost or spirits, please note that precaution is better than cure. You don’t want to mess with them alright.
DO NOT Step On Or Kick Praying Items And Temporary Altars By The Roadside.
During the Chinese lunar 7th month, you will see lots of people praying and offering food and burning materials beside the road. These things are meant to appease for the dead. Be very careful of what you are stepping on and it is best to go around a spot where there are offerings rather then walk through it. How will you feel if someone steps or kicks your food while you are eating or step on his clothes or even money? You would want to beat the S*it out of that guy, right? Same goes for the spirits, they are once human too. If you happen to accidentally stepped on them, apologise right away! If you get them angry, I am not sure what they can do.DO NOT Stand Under Trees Or Under The Bus Stop During Night Time.
Normally, it is dark and cold under the tree shade and bus stop. Those ‘things’ love these kind of conditions and would normally rest and under this kind of conditions. If you have low spiritual energy on that day, it will follow you back home.
Especially For Ladies: DO NOT Use And Avoid Dark or Black Color Manicure
Ladies, if you love painting your nails, please choose light colour coat for your nails during this period. This is because dead people normally have dark-coloured nails and if you happen to bump into one of them, they might think you are one of them and you are a pretty chic, it may follow you back home.
DO NOT Place Your Baby Or Kid On The Altar/Offering Table When Visiting Or Praying To The Hungry Ghosts.
There was a case where a mother took her baby to a hungry ghost offering event, the mother suddenly dropped something while she was carrying her baby and place the baby temporarily on the offering altar while she picked up her stuff. After she got up, the baby had died and turned black. It was said that the King of Ghost thought that it was an offering for him and “ate” the baby.
DO NOT Sit On the Front Row of Any Open Chinese Operas Or Karaokes
During this month long festival, you will see that there would be lots of open Chinese opera shows and karaoke singing on makeshift stages. These shows are mainly entertainment for the stray ghosts and lost souls, and normally the front few rows of seats are reserved for the VIPs (spirits). Do not sit at any front row and it is better to stand and watch rather than seated. You will definitely feel annoyed when someone comes to ask your seat number when you are watching a movie in a cinema, right? Moreover, sit on you!DO NOT Speed And Be Extra Careful On The Road While Driving
There is always a high rate of road accident fatalities during the first day of the Chinese 7th lunar month in Kuala Lumpur. You may argue that it is due to the recklessness of the drivers, but why does the 1st day of the 7th month always have more accidents? Why not the day before or week before? There would normally be more overcast weather and frequent rain showers during this month.
DO NOT Hang Your Laundry Outside After Sunset
It is know that the spirits will wear your clothes so when you bring it in, you will be sharing your clothes with them.
DO NOT Go Swimming Or Hang Out Late At Night
The water spirits had been released and they will roam in any places with water in it. Hence, it is wise not to go swimming during this 7th month. In addition to this, it is advisable not to roam the streets or go out partying till the wee hours of the morning, ghosts are especially more active during the night and you will definitely not want to bump into any of them, or step on their offerings when you are half drunk...Well, here is my list of what to be careful of and what “DO NOT” to beware of during the hungry ghost month! I would definitely be staying at home for the whole of the 7th month which will last until the 18th September 2009.
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The baby on the altar one is scary...is this a real story?
ReplyDeleteIs this a real story? Your post is very interesting. You know? In my coutry, there is a celebration called " Pchum Ben" which I was told that there are many ghosts were allowed to meet their relatives. During this period, we have to go to pagoda in order to offer the food to them and monks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interesting story!
Yes, the baby story is a real story. It actually happened a few years back.
ReplyDeletePchum Ben sounds something like the Hungry Ghost Festival in Malaysia! It might be the same thing! I think most asian countries do share the same culture!