Am I on the “Maid of the Mist”? -- a reflection on the Lunar July tradition

Walking on the streets, a thicker than usual smog dances around me, leaving a blue silhouette in the mid air. Mixing with cheap and expensive sandalwood incense is the aroma of food and rice. Mmmmm…. what is the occasion?

It's still Lunar July, I guess that's why.


This never ending feast began since Lunar July commenced. From the first day of July, when the hell gate opens, all the ghosts rush out and swarm the streets searching for their loved ones or foes, or simply to taste the 'freedom'.



Be it that the feast began when one of Buddha's disciples attempted to save his sinful mother from hell, this month long festival for the ghosts actually reflects the nature of the Chinese, believing that even the sinful person after deceased still deserves some respect. Also, it is a kind act to also take care of the living - as the food offered normally would be distributed to the poor. The term 普Pŭ渡Dù says it all: 普Pŭ refers to over all, general, and 渡Dù a word for crossing rivers/streams here refers to 'help', which also conveys the idea of salvation, redemption, atonement.

When I observe the more than usual lavishing offerings: a pot of cooked rice, four types of meat (excluding beef), ten types of fruit, all sorts of sweet and salty snakes, huge bouquet of scented flowers, cups of tea and wine, and the paper money for the land of the deceased, all of which has one stem of incense on it indicating the offering is for the deceased; my eyes get moist. The smoke from the incense contributed to the moisturization of course, but I am also touched by the mercy underlying this seemingly superstitious ritual.

It would, though, be even better if we treat the living as kind as we treat the deceased.

extended readings:

It's midnight, do you know WHAT you are sleeping with?

A BOO in Taboo-- ten things you MUST NOT DO in ghost month