Myths about the Chinese 7th Lunar Month or Hungry Ghosts Month explained

[Cecil Lee]

Myths about the Chinese 7th month

Q1. Avoid staying out late.

Reply: "In a crowded and built-up place like Singapore, there is no worry about staying out late even for a late-party."

"A normal person would have sufficient aura or yang qi to keep themselves safe throughout all hours of the day. Only those 2 percent who are down and out.. Fortunately, majority of us falls in the 98 percentile and not that 2 percent!"

Meet the unfortunate 2 percent:

Q2. Should I avoid swimming during the 7th month?

Reply: "Ghosts also have their set of rules and laws to abide. Hungry ghosts are not suppose to go pull someone's legs and let them intentionally drown!"

It is acknowledged by many that normal hungry Ghosts live in an alternate dimension and they are not suppose to interact or scare the living daylights out of ordinary folks. 

Q3. What about those leaving offerings to the ghosts during the 7th month? Are they doing good?

Reply: To these ghosts, do you think that each and everyone will rush down to the dirty floor to consume these items left for them? 

To these ghosts, the offerings are just like Singaporeans displaying National Day flags celebrating an occasion. Thus to these ghosts, it is just the same ... something likes lights-up during Chinese festivities prior to Chinese New Year at Chinatown, that's all.

Q4.  Is it true that there are more wakes/funerals during the Chinese 7th month then the rest of the year?

Statistically, death is spread evenly throughout the whole year. With the exception of certain events involving mass calamities. Otherwise, this is a myth.

During the Chinese 7th month, carry on with what you normally do in your life. Life is about compassion, love and being there and enjoying it.

Q5. Are the Lunar 7th month Ghosts really HUNGRY?

These ghosts are in another realm or dimension. And they cannot come to our physical world to consume offerings. Unless, these ghosts or spirits enter a medium's body. Only then can they taste the offerings.

Thus this is a misinterpretation or misconception: "In ancient times, it was truly not called the Chinese HUNGRY Ghost month but rather simply the Chinese Lunar Ghost Month."

Q6. Is it beneficial to burn offerings to applease the Ghosts?  Can I do away with yearly burning of paper items?

For example, even if one burns hell notes or ingots or even paper cars, iphones and houses, it is not going to be converted to money "down-under".

But if this makes the person performing this act happy or relieved; then it has served it's purpose! 

Many Buddhists & Toaists instead recommend a person to do merits or do good / kindness is a better option than burning such offerings.

Priests and nuns and monks usually refer to the act of such burnt offerings based on the concept of "ashes to ashes'.

And to them the act of burnings is instead a powerful symbolic gesture that when someone dies.. one cannot bring their wealth to the nether world. And not when we burn 10 paper ingots, these would be teleported to the dead as real ingots! This is never possible. How can chared paper turned into gold bars? etc?

[Cecil Lee]

Do you believe in the existence of ghosts? If No, skip this...

Like humans, ghosts also comes in all shapes and sizes:-

The good:-

The bad one. The bad one does not only come out during the Chinese 7th Lunar month. The bad one or often called the DARK one comes and goes 24/7. But they prefer to haunt a location... rarely encounter these unless one goes to a place haunted by them.

I caught a ghost in a photo!

[Hozijian84]

Hi

I getting my resale flat key next week and it is still within the 7th month. Can I goo and open door or I shall wait until 7th month over

[Cecil Lee]

1. In my opinion based on a reality check: "Can you afford to wait until after the 7th month to open the door?"

2. Frankly, it depends on the above.

3. Thus no point for me to say.. best not to. 

4. But later to be told that.. Oh! What to do? I need to move in before 9 September (still in the 7th month) or that I really cannot afford to wait till after the 7th month.

4.1 Then no point asking about this at all. If you got to, you just got to. In SGP, no such thing as camping at East Coast Park with all your barang, barang.

4.2 If one really has to go in during the 7th month for the 1st time then .. Knock, knock, knock three times first........

5. Since you did not mentioned something about Para 4. "A need to move-in by yesterday sort-of-thing" then I assume = no harm right to wait till after the 7th month?

6. And furthermore, by the time you collect your keys.. there will be less than three weeks before the end of the 7th month = No harm to play it safe...

Other considerations:
7. Vacant for long vs just moved-out?

7.1. Another consideration is that if the premises has been left vacant for several months; a better excuse to not go in during the 7th month.

7.2. But if the existing owner/tenants had just moved-in a few days ago.. then a better feeling to.....

8. Lower floors are a higher probability than very high floors like 30 storeys etc.. As these entities need effort to go up higher floors. Greater concerns for 8th storeys or lower especially ground floors or 2nd storeys.

[Hozijian84]

Hi

I do not need to move in so soon. So it is better to wait till after 7 th mth then open door.

The unit is vacant for 1.5mth... if I open the door after 7 mth.. anything I  need to do or just follow the standard open door Ritual.

 

Thanks 

[Cecil Lee]

2 minutes ago, Hozijian84 said:

Hi

I do not need to move in so soon. So it is better to wait till after 7 th mth then open door.

The unit is vacant for 1.5mth... if I open the door after 7 mth.. anything I  need to do or just follow the standard open door Ritual.

 

Thanks 

Yes, you have just answered the question.

Pure common sense. If can wait or "tahan". Why not?

[Cecil Lee]

More:

 

[Cecil Lee]

These are additional superstitions based on common sense during Chinese 7th Lunar Month.

There are common asked questions during the 7th Chinese Month:-

1. Enter cemetery grounds? Good news is that in SGP, there are not many left. Unless one is totally too free or nothing else to do.. then venture there in the wee hours of the morning...

2. Whistle while alone walking on an empty road late at night. Why would you want to do so? Put on ear-phones at an output sufficient to hear traffic noise (if any).. and enjoy your walk home!

3. Avoid urinating on a tree/plant. Don't be caught! It is a penal offence!

4. Avoid intentionally kicking or stepping on road side offerings. If accidental then really no choice! Just politely say sorry.

5. Avoid making jokes or snide comments on offerings or even if choked by the burning smell; quickly march out away from the area as far as you can.

6. If attending a Chinese Opera, it is a custom not to rush to sit on the first two rows. 

7. If you do smell a scent while walking.. don't intentionally act like a hound-dog and follow the trailing scent. One should instead walk away from the scent (if possible).

8. Avoid picking out any interesting object along the road. Sometimes it could be a chain or some ornaments. Grasp your hands tightly and pretend to look away and walk to your original destination.

9. Avoid standing below a large tree at night even if to get shelter from the rain. For heaven's sake, bring or carry an umbrella. But do remember not to carry a RED umbrella. Or for ladies especially avoid wearing all RED dress and red high heels.

10. Avoid hanging solid rod wind chime(s) at home. as it might inadvertently attract the wrong ... into your home.

11. This one in a million... if you feel a presence of like someone tapping your shoulder.. don’t look back. Just walk on...and .. if you want to run away safely!

12. For a gambler; avoid going towards a tree and ask for a lottery number.

 

[Cecil Lee]

CAUTION: DON'T ANYHOW HANG A WIND CHIME
IN THE HOUSE

Hollow Rod wind chimes commonly sold in shops... 

[Cecil Lee]

Morning Master Cecil, a question on Reno timing cos I have not gotten my unit yet.
If my Reno starts b4 1st Aug 2019 (start of 7th month) n if e Reno period will be thru out e 7th mth.
Do we stop Reno n restart after or we can continue thru out e 7th mth?

Reply: No worries can continue during 7th month

[Cecil Lee]

Year is 2019:

Cecil, will open door on 17Aug and start renovation on 20Aug. Still in Chinese seven month. Ok or not?

[Cecil Lee]

Question: Hi Master Cecil, becuase my reno is going to continue to 7th month, anything I need to do to ensure smooth sailing?
Did the reno ritual per your manual on auspicious day already.

Comments: 

Make sure the house is not "tidy". To ensure that those things see your uncompleted house and decide to (instead) stay at your neighbour's unit.

This is the most practical solution, lah

Question: So throughout that month, must remain messy?

Comments: 

Common sense says.. try to. 

Just imagine... they are also like humans. If the house is extremely clean. And ready for occupation... as a human being... would you want to occupy this empty home?

Or a "messy" one. 

To play safe that's all. Don't you want to play safe? Or as in SGP = Kiasu? Ah?

[Cecil Lee]

Related subject on buring...

 

[Cecil Lee]

Master Lee good morning, what do you think if my new car come in Aug meaning lunar seventh month ok or not? Or postpone it?

[Cecil Lee]

Question: But next friday falls within lunar 7th month..is there anything we should so or look out for?

[hidden], specially for your first time open door this Friday: (Avoid the full First-time-open door procedure]

1. Go up to your unit.
2. Get ready to open, knock on the door three times
3. Open the door
4. Yell "PIng An Fa Cai, Huat Ah"
5. Throw in a pineapple
6. Place the pineapple at the centre of the living room
7. Bring in the fa gao (Huat Quay) and also place at the centrepoint
8. REMEMBER to bring both items home on Friday!
9. Pineapple can own time own target eat any time or place in the fridge for near future consumption.
10. Fa Gao.. usually eat a pinch of it.. or bought several days ago.... leave in the existing home. And throw away 4 days later.

Hope the above helps.

[Cecil Lee]

Qn: Hi Cecil, is defect rectifications works considered part of renovation during 7 month festival..

Comments:

Okay to do rectifcations during 7th month.

Imagine... "they" are like us. If the house is dusty and dirty and not live in condition.. they may or would just go next door. LOL

[Cecil Lee]

Start or 1st day of Chinese 7th month 2019

[Cecil Lee]

Question: How many joss sticks to light up?

1. Based on the Yin and Yang concept: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or odd numbers represent Yang energy. While even numbers 2, 4, 6 etc .. represent Yin energy.

2. To light up joss sticks, for the occasional person try to light up only 1 or 3 joss sticks at the same time.

2.1 It is equally acceptable to light up two (2) wax candles to pray with also.

3. For the worshippers, often one can even seem them lighting up 9 joss sticks. Well, as mentioned above, number 9 is okay or acceptable!

If one looks closely (below) the receptacle contains Three (3) burning joss sticks...

4. Scenes from Year 2019 7th lunar month which starts on 1st August 2019...

[Cecil Lee]

Catholic Church has stated clearly that they are flexible with this... (holding joss sticks + lighting up candles)...

Some priests have officially responded to this question in public forums, discussions or even through CatholicNews articles. Some say that it is okay to hold joss sticks as a mark of respect for the dead. Others say that joss sticks are no different from the candles that Catholics light and hold in memory of the dead. In some countries, joss sticks are used at Mass in place of candles.

But many other Christian faith consider it “devil worship”. Thus advice their flock against doing this.

[Cecil Lee]

Year 2020 Chinese 7th month dates:

The Ghost Festival or the Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Jie) 

1st day Wednesday 19 August 2020 to
Wednesday 16 September 2020
 

[Cecil Lee]

Related:

 

[Cecil Lee]

In 2020, Chinese 7th month is from Wednesday 19 August 2020 to Wednesday 16 September 2020.

[Cecil Lee]

Question: Hi master sorry is been quite a while. As my tenant is only able to move out on 16 Aug 2020 which I believe falls within the lunar 7th month? That's to say we cannot start the renovation?

Reply:

The idea of the 7th month is that if the house is empty ... some entity (or entities) may want to "live" there.

Thus if the house is immediately vacant in the 7th month, again the idea is that these wondering ghosts may just drop by during 7th month.

Thus, if they already "own" the house ... and if one were to start renovations.. when they are around... this is really bad.

Alternatively, if by chance the day the tenants move-out; and the next day you take over.. can start renovations...

Client: Okok but do I still to perform the customs of move in and renovation?
Client: If yes I have to follow an auspicious date provided by u?

Reply:

Frankly, first time take over is 1st time open door procedure. Should not...do so during 7th month.

Just do a symbolic start of renovations.. if the vacant home is just a day or two away from key collection.

Yes, nice to choose an auspicious date - but if it is too far off from the start of renovations, then skip it

More important is the move-in procedure..

The latest Handbook of Chinese Customs on 1st time open door, start of renovations and move-in can be found under this url: [url removed, here] 

[Cecil Lee]

Sunday Times on 22 August 2020 and online on 21 August 2020 night

[Cecil Lee]

The Sunday Times - Life

Sunday, August 23, 2020

While there are notions of the spirit world as macabre and foreboding, there is also a counterpoint found in Chinese culture that spirits are to be appeased. The annual Chinese tradition of the Hungry Ghosts Month has nothing to do with the fear factor.

Also referred to as the Seventh Lunar Month, which this year started last Wednesday (Aug 19) and which ends on Sept 16, it is a time when reverence for the departed is encouraged.

According to fengshui master Mr Cecil Lee of Geomancy.Net, it is also a time to debunk myths and superstitions surrounding the spirit world.

“The Chinese Ghost Month teaches two virtues - giving generously and expressing gratitude,” says Mr Lee who is in his 60s  who has been advising clients on geomancy matters since 1996.

"It is an occasion to offer food and incense papers to demonstrate generosity. In fact, these are the two main reasons that Buddhists consider the Seventh Lunar Month auspicious. It gives them an opportunity to offer prayers in honour of the dead.”

Mr Lee says that according to Chinese traditions, the primary purpose of the Ghost Month is not to scare devotees but to impart a sense of giving and honouring the dead.

“During this period, there is respect for the departed,” shares Mr Lee. “However, if one is anxious about leaving the home at night, it is advisable to be accompanied by a family member or friend.”