Well, is that time of the year again!

The ghost month. Usually this time around most of our parents will ask us not to stay out too long in order to be safe. But if we understand what are the don’ts we could have fun a little longer without offending anyone if you know what I mean ;)

A brief introduction on the ghost festival is that the Chinese ghost festival always falls on the seventh lunar month of the Chinese lunar calendar which the starting date always changes based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar however it all always last around one month that’s why it’s called the ghost month.

In the span of one month, sprits which are caged in hell are free to roam the living world for one month, that’s why sightings are more frequent around this time.  Well for this year it starts at 1st of august all the way to 29th august. 

The formal name for this festival it’s called the Gui Jie (鬼節) which translates to ghost festival and the festivals falls on the 15th of august and this is when all the family will offer prayers to their deceased relative’s by offering food, drinks, hell bank notes and other forms of goods in paper form such as houses, car and even private jets in order for them to feel blissful. 

As much as we love staying out with friends or work, we all should know the proper etiquette in order to not offend our fellow friends. 

Usually I am not really superstitious but I will always follow the rules just to be safe.

1. Don't Turn Back

If you feel a tap from behind around your shoulders area, do not turn back and just ignore and walk straight. Chinese always belief that your shoulders has two torches on each side, which is why ghost wants you to turn your head sideways in order to put out the fire which leads to an imbalance of ying and yang and make you extremely vulnerable. If needed just turn your whole body 180 degrees. 

2. Bus Stops

Moreover, do not stand under bus stops after bus service times as its common for Singaporean's just to chill after hours at the bus stops however don't do it this time around as ghost's often favour cool and shady places therefore if you stay the area for too long they might feel offended and follow you home to disturb you.

3. Another's Man Treasure

Furthermore, try not to pick things on the floor which does not belong to you especially coins , these things are usually for the ghost and does not belong to you and if you choose to pick it up. Well, all I could say is that when you go home tonight, you definitely won't feel lonely.

4. Getais

 

During the ghost festivals , they will be many street opera performance which are called getais in Singapore, usually we can enjoy them as well however they is just one simple rule to follow is that we should not sit at the front row where this are reserved for the dead.

So just choose any seat you like but not at the front. Even the seats are all taken at the back just try to stand at the sides instead of risking offending the unseen.

5. Gossips

Lastly for this section is that don't mess with prayer items and paper offerings such as making jokes, complaining, kicking, touching and etc. Since, this offerings are to appease the hungry ghost. If anyone were to disturb their offerings they might just curse and wreak havoc to the certain individual life.

In a situation where you accidentally offended or messed with their offerings just apologize quietly, sincerely and move on.