Taiwanese Ghost Month Taboos: There Are So Many

Taiwanese people take the seventh lunar month very seriously; this month is called Ghost Month. Legend has it that on the first day of the seventh lunar month, the gates of the underworld open, and the 'good brothers' who have no descendants to worship them are released to roam the human world until the end of the month when the gates close again. Therefore, there are many taboos during this month.

Do not hang clothes to dry at night, as it is said ghosts will borrow them to wear. Do not whistle, as it is said this will summon ghosts. Do not pat someone on the shoulder, because people have two lamps on their shoulders; patting them will extinguish the lamps, making it easy to bump into something unclean.

If you see red envelopes or money on the road, do not pick them up; they may be red envelopes for ghost marriages, and picking them up means you will be married to a ghost. Do not go swimming at the seaside or by the river, as it is said water ghosts are most active this month. Do not move house, do not get married, do not buy a house; even opening a business should be avoided. At night, it is best to go home early and not linger outside.

In the middle of the month, there is 'Pu Du': every household, at temple entrances and in front of shops, sets up tables with chickens, ducks, fruit, biscuits, and drinks, inserts incense, burns joss paper, and invites the 'good brothers' to eat. The items on the offering table must not be taken casually, nor should anyone snatch them; one must wait until after the incense is burned. On the last day of Pu Du, the 'ghost gate' is closed; in some places, firecrackers are set off and gongs are beaten to send the good brothers back.

Some of these beliefs make sense, such as not swimming because watersides are most dangerous in summer; others have unknown origins, but since the elders say so, they are passed down this way. At the end of the month, when the ghost gate closes, Taiwanese shops finally begin to hold celebrations and grand openings with peace of mind.

#Folklore #网络转载 #台湾