Just like Halloween in Western culture, the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore (also known as Zhong Yuan Jie in Chinese) is a tradition for the Chinese community to honor the memory of the deceased. If you’re interested in learning about culture and heritage, this moment could be the best time to visit Singapore.
During this festival, families will burn incense and make all sorts of offerings for the deceased to ensure the well-being and comfort of their departed loved ones. So, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of food offerings and incense candles in your neighborhood.
Interested to learn more about the Singapore Hungry Ghost Festival event? Let’s take a look at what the Hungry Ghost Festival is all about.
What is the Hungry Ghost Festival?
The Hungry Ghost Festival is an annual traditional Chinese festival observed primarily by the Chinese community around the world.
The festival is rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs that revolve around the concept of filial piety, ancestral veneration, and the honoring of departed souls.
According to tradition, during the seventh lunar month, the gates of the afterlife are believed to open, allowing spirits, including those of ancestors and restless souls, to roam the earth for a period of about thirty days.
Among these spirits are the “hungry ghosts” who due to unfinished business or past misdeeds, are believed to suffer from insatiable hunger and thirst.
It is during this time that living descendants are encouraged to honor their ancestors by offering prayers, food, and others to ensure their well-being and to seek blessings for the families.
Hungry Ghost Festival Start and End Date
So, when does the Hungry Ghost Festival start? It is celebrated on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month, which usually falls in August or September in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2025, the festival falls on August 23rd (Saturday) which is also known as Ghost Day (when it’s believed that ghosts are most active).
However, the festivities of the Hungry Ghost Festival are a month-long affair. That said, this festival will start from August 23rd (Saturday) to September 6th (Saturday).
Please be aware that the lunar calendar may change, so it’s advisable to always double-check the dates.
The Hungry Ghost Festival Entertainment ‘Getai’
As if taking care of the ghosts with money and food isn’t enough, the tradition of the Hungry Ghost Festival also includes an entertainment stage.
An integral part of the festival is the ‘getai‘ show which serves as a widely enjoyed entertainment for the roaming spirits.
The ‘getai‘ stage is a lively focal point of the festival, featuring a variety of performances including music, dance, comedy, and even theatrical acts.
It is believed that these performances not only entertain the living but also provide solace and amusement to the wandering spirits.
Everyone is welcome to join and enjoy the fun. Just be aware not to sit in the front row unless you want to get closer to the ‘special guests’.
Read also: Mooncake Festival 2024 in Singapore: A Celebration of Unity
Things to Avoid During the Hungry Ghost Festival
While the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore is a time for reverence, remembrance, and celebration, there are certain taboos to avoid attracting roaming spirits or inviting misfortune. Here are some common practices to avoid during this Ghost month:
1. Don’t Do Midnight Activities
It’s believed that spirits are most active during the nighttime hours, especially during the seventh lunar month. To minimize the risk of encountering wandering spirits, it’s advisable to avoid outdoor activities, particularly in secluded or dimly lit areas after dark.
2. Don’t Disturb the Offerings
Families and individuals often set up altars with offerings of food, incense, and other items to appease the spirits. It’s important to show respect for these offerings and refrain from touching or disturbing them.
Disrespecting the offerings may be seen as an offense to the spirits and could invite unwanted attention.
3. Don’t Move into a New House
It’s believed that moving into a new house during the Hungry Ghost Festival may invite unwanted spirits into the home, disrupting peace and harmony. As such, it’s customary to avoid relocating to a new residence during this time.
4. Don’t Get Married
Weddings are typically postponed during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Large gatherings associated with weddings may attract spirits and it’s considered inauspicious to begin a new chapter of life during this period.
5. Don’t Whistle or Making Loud Noises at Night
Loud noises are believed to attract spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival, so it’s customary to keep noise levels down, particularly during the nighttime hours. Whistling, in particular, is said to invite wandering spirits, so it’s best to refrain from whistling altogether during this time.
6. Don’t Swim or Other Water-Related Activities
There’s a belief that water spirits become active during the Hungry Ghost Festival, posing a potential danger to those engaging in water-related activities, such as swimming or boating. It’s advisable to avoid such activities during this time to prevent accidents or encounters with malevolent spirits.
7. Don’t Hang Your Laundry to Dry Overnight
Hanging laundry to dry overnight is discouraged during the Hungry Ghost Festival, especially outdoors. It’s believed that spirits may become entangled in the clothing or be drawn to the energy of personal items left outside at night, potentially causing disturbances or misfortune.
So, that is everything about the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore – from important dates and celebrations to taboos that the community should follow.
Generally, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a time of reverence, reflection, and community bonding. Interested in visiting Singapore during Ghost month?
Read also: 9 Popular Events in Singapore in June, Take Notes!
