today is chhit-goeh-poàⁿ and blue moon

[chemistry_2010]

'Ghost month is the most dangerous time of the year, and malevolent spirits are on the look out to capture souls. This makes ghost month a bad time to do activities such as evening strolls, traveling, moving house, or starting a new business. Many people avoid swimming during ghost month, since there are many spirits in the water which can try to drown you.

The 15th day of the Ghost Month is Ghost Festival, sometimes called Hungry Ghost Festival. The Mandarin name of this festival is zhōng yuán jié (中元節 / 中元节). This is the day when the spirits are in high gear. It’s important to give them a sumptuous feast, to please them and to bring luck to the family. Taoists and Buddhists perform ceremonies on this day to ease the sufferings of the deceased.' - mandarin.about.com



*photo courtesy of Google Images

Comments

[pu-ni-yo.livejournal.com]

I was with my mother outside today to prepare "the feast". I'm not religious at all but I find very interesting these peculiar practices by whichever religion... :P

[chemistry-2010.livejournal.com]

at the company where my mother works... they were supposed to do it yesterday... but the current heavy rains in my country made it impossible... they'll wait until the weather improves and then continue with the celebration... :-)