Taboos of Xiayuan Festival: 6 important things to pay attention to

The Lower Yuan Festival is one of China's traditional sacrificial festivals, and the people also call it the Ghost Festival. Next, let’s look at the etiquette and taboos of the Lower Yuan Festival.

Taboos and considerations related to the Xiayuan Festival

Time is important

During the Lower Yuan Festival, people commemorate their ancestors and deceased relatives at home. It is important to clean the house in advance, take a bath, wear appropriate clothes, and prepare sacrificial items. In addition to fish, meat, fruits, etc., general sacrificial items also include sacrificial wine. Finally, on the night of the Lower Yuan Festival, it is best to burn incense and offer wine after the moon rises.

Preparation etiquette

According to traditional folk customs, on the day of the Lower Yuan Festival, people would offer sacrifices to the Lower Yuan Water God and pray for the relief of their troubles. If you are offering sacrifices to the Lower Yuan Water God at home, in addition to preparing the relevant offerings, you should also hang lanterns under the main hall, next to the desk, etc. During this process, you can just sit upright on the mat without performing any formalities such as bowing.

Sacrifice Note

The Lower Yuan Festival is a day for ancestor worship, which reflects the living's grief and respect for the dead and is a kind of spiritual sustenance. All clothes and paper money given to the deceased must be burned cleanly, so that they can be truly conveyed to the deceased.