Chinese Halloween? China’s Ghost Festival 中元节
- Dao Mandarin
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Is Zhongyuan Festival the “Chinese Halloween”? Many foreigners ask this question when they first hear about 中元节 (Zhōngyuán Jié), also known as the Ghost Festival 鬼节. While it shares some similarities with Western Halloween, such as honoring spirits and dealing with the supernatural超自然, Zhongyuan Festival carries its own unique traditions and cultural meaning.
What is Chinese Ghost Festival - Zhongyuan Festival中元节?
The Zhongyuan Festival falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar （阴历）month. In Chinese tradition, this time of year is called the "Ghost Month" (鬼月), when it is believed that the spirits of ancestors祖先 and wandering souls 孤魂野鬼return to the living world. Families honor them with offerings and rituals.
Traditions and Customs
Burning joss paper烧纸钱 /焚烧冥纸: People burn paper money, clothes, or even paper houses to send them to their ancestors in the spirit world.
Food offerings供品 /祭品: Families prepare meals and leave them out to show respect to ancestors and wandering souls.
Lanterns on water水上灯笼: Floating lanterns are placed on rivers or lakes to guide lost spirits and bring peace.
Mulian Saves His Mother: The Story Behind China’s Ghost Festival
Mulian (目莲) was a devoted Buddhist disciple, known for his deep compassion and spiritual powers. One day, he discovered that his mother had passed away. To his shock, she was suffering in the hungry ghost realm (饿鬼道) because of her past misdeeds. She was constantly hungry and tormented by other restless spirits.
目莲（Mulian）是一位虔诚的佛教弟子，以慈悲和通神通闻名。有一天，他发现自己的母亲已经去世，但因生前的恶业，正在饿鬼道受苦，饥饿难耐，还被其他游魂折磨。
Determined to help her, Mulian prepared food and placed it in a bowl (or offering plate) to give to his mother. But the food was stolen by hungry ghosts 饿鬼before it could reach her. Mulian realized that ordinary offerings alone could not save his mother.
目莲决心救母，他准备了饭菜，用钵盆盛好想献给母亲。然而，饭菜被饿鬼抢走，母亲仍然吃不到，饥饿的痛苦无法解除。目连这才明白，单靠食物无法救助亡魂。
Seeking guidance, he turned to the Buddha, who explained that the suffering of spirits could be alleviated through meritorious deeds and ritual offerings, not just physical food. Following the Buddha’s advice, Mulian:
于是，他去向佛陀请教。佛陀告诉他，亡灵的苦难可以通过功德和超度仪式来减轻，而不仅仅是物质供品。按照佛陀的指示，目连开始：
Offered food and necessities to monks, dedicating the merit to his mother.
供养僧侣：为僧人们提供食物和生活必需品，将功德回向给母亲。
Performed good deeds and charitable acts, such as helping the poor, so that the accumulated merit could aid his mother.
行善积德：帮助穷人、孤儿或做善事，让善行的功德帮助母亲脱苦。
Participated in rituals and ceremonies, reciting sutras and prayers to release suffering spirits.
举行法会和仪式：诵经祈福，为母亲和其他受苦的鬼魂超度。
Through these spiritual practices, Mulian’s mother’s suffering gradually eased, and she eventually attained peace.
经过这些努力，目连的母亲逐渐脱离苦难，最终得以安宁。
To commemorate this story, people began observing Zhongyuan Festival (中元节) on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, offering food准备供品, burning joss paper烧纸钱, and performing rituals to honor ancestors 供奉祖先 and help wandering spirits帮助孤魂游鬼进行超度仪式, reflecting filial piety and compassion 孝道和慈悲 in Chinese culture.
Taoist Influence道家影响
Besides the Buddhist story, Taoism contributes the idea of the Three Yuan Festivals:
上元 (Shangyuan) – Celebrates Heaven
中元 (Zhongyuan) – Honors Earth spirits and wandering souls
下元 (Xiayuan) – Associated with Water and purification
In this system, Zhongyuan is the day when the gates of hell open, allowing spirits to return and be honored by the living.
Cultural Meaning
The Zhongyuan Festival reflects the Chinese values of filial piety 孝道(showing respect to parents and ancestors) and balance between the living and the spiritual world. It is also a reminder that life and death are connected.
Is the Ghost Festival Zhongyuan Festival Scary?
For locals, it’s more about respect than fear. Families focus on rituals to show filial piety and compassion. However, because it involves ghosts and wandering spirits, there are many taboos and superstitions during Ghost Month, such as:
Avoid swimming (spirits may “drag” people underwater).
Avoid moving house or starting big projects.
Don’t pick up coins or food left on the street (they are offerings for spirits).
So, while it may sound scary — especially to foreigners — most Chinese people see it as a solemn and spiritual festival, not a spooky celebration like Halloween.
FAQ: Ghost Festival vs. Halloween
Q: Is the Chinese Ghost Festival similar to Halloween?
A: While both the Chinese Ghost Festival and Halloween involve the theme of ghosts and spirits, they have very different cultural purposes and atmospheres. The Ghost Festival is a solemn and respectful occasion focused on honoring ancestors and showing compassion for suffering spirits, whereas Halloween in its modern form is a secular holiday primarily for entertainment, parties, and fun.
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