The Hungry Ghost Festival 盂蘭節

盂蘭節

Tuesday was the Hungry Ghost Festival, a traditional Taoist festival that has made its way into the culture of Bangkok's Chinese-Thai community. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a bit like "Chinese Halloween".

My first sign of the festival was when walking home from work on Tuesday afternoon. There was a small makeshift shrine set up on the curbside along the road.

offerings

Well, I picked up a translation of Pu Songling's classic 18th-century collection of Chinese ghost stories, and have really been enjoying them!

Of course, this isn't really the way that the Chinese-Thai celebrate the festival. The Hungry Ghost Festival is believed to be the one time in the year when the gates of the afterlife are opened, and ghosts and spirits are allowed to visit the earth.

It's a time to remember ancestors, but people also follow a number of traditions to protect themselves from ghosts! The most important part of this festival is burning "joss paper" or "ghost money". It is believed that burning paper goods can transport them to heaven as an offering to the Chinese gods or as a gift to one's ancestors.

ghost money

Traditionally, joss paper was squares of bamboo paper painted with silver and gold rectangles. In the 20th century, joss paper began taking the form of "ghost money", which look like banknotes, and depict the Jade Emperor, the Taoist god of heaven.

In Thailand, ghost money is in the form of Thai baht. In other countries, you can find ghost paper emulating the local currency. Often, these go up to insanely high denominations, billions and trillions of dollars! It makes me wonder what inflation in heaven must be like!

fifty-baht ghost money

 Ghost money also comes in the form of paper coins and gold ingots.

Besides that, however, it is very common nowadays to find joss paper in the form of luxury goods!

joss paper for sale at my local supermarket

For example, you can send your ancestors the latest iPhone, a nice watch, or jewelry.

You could even burn a nice paper suit!

I think it's quite interesting how an ancient tradition has been brought into the modern day!

The Hungry Ghost Festival isn't really just about ghosts though. In reality, it's kind of like All Saint's Day, in that people are called to remember their ancestors and spend time with their families. It's common to share a family feast together.