Can I travel around the Ghost Festival? Why can't I go out on the 15th day of July?

Can we go out during the Ghost Festival? The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is the Ghost Festival. As the saying goes, "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, ghosts run rampant." The fourteenth and fifteenth days of the seventh month are the days when the gates of hell are wide open. Some parents warn their children not to go out at night. So can we go out during the Ghost Festival?

Can I travel around the Ghost Festival? What is the Ghost Festival?

The 15th day of July is the time when the yin energy is the strongest. People with low fire energy should stay out during this period. Even if they go out, they should return early. Women should not go out at night during their menstrual period or after childbirth or surgery.

The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is commonly known as the Zhongyuan Festival, or the "Ghost Festival" among the people. According to local customs, people visit graves, burn incense, and burn paper money to worship their deceased ancestors. Because Buddhism also holds the "Yulanpen Festival" on this day to chant sutras and liberate the souls of the dead, it is also called the "Yulanpen Festival" or "Yulan Festival."

There are many legends about the Zhongyuan Festival, the most important of which is that on the first day of the seventh lunar month every year, King Yama opens the gates of hell and releases a group of lonely ghosts who have no one to worship them into the world of the living to enjoy people's offerings. On the last day of July, before the gates of hell are closed again, these wandering ghosts have to return to the underworld. Therefore, July is also called Ghost Month. The Daoist Canon records: "On the day of the Zhongyuan Festival, the Earth Official selects everyone and distinguishes between good and evil... and recites this sutra day and night. The great saints from all directions chant the spiritual chapters together. Prisoners and hungry ghosts are liberated at that moment."

It is said that during this period, the wandering ghosts from the netherworld all scramble to come to the human world to have fun and find some delicious food and drink. Especially on July 15th - the Ghost Festival, the gates of hell are wide open and it is the day with the heaviest yin energy in the world. It is generally believed that it is best not to go out during the Ghost Festival to avoid encountering ghosts, and it is even better not to go to the riverside to avoid accidentally falling and becoming a substitute for a water ghost.

Some people also believe that July 14 is the day with the heaviest yin energy in the Ghost Month. Legend has it that if you stay in the wilderness at midnight on this day, you will see the spectacle of hundreds of ghosts parading at night. Hundreds of ghosts came over the Naihe Bridge, and the underworld lit up big red lanterns to lead them, marching towards the Yang World they had been away from for a long time. So it is not advisable to go out this night.

There are three fires on the human body, on the forehead and on the shoulders. These three fires should not be covered. During the Mid-July period, people with low fires will dream about their deceased relatives in their dreams at night. This is very normal and there is no need to be afraid. Generally, relatives really complain to you or say hello in the dream and you only need to meet their requests. For example, they say if you don’t have money to spend, just buy some paper money; if you don’t have clothes to wear, just buy some clothes; if you don’t have a house to live in, just burn a house, etc.

Can I travel around the Ghost Festival?: I cannot go out

The 15th day of July is the time when the yin energy is the strongest. People with low fire energy should stay out during this period. Even if they go out, they should return early. Women should not go out at night during their menstrual period or after childbirth or surgery. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, don't promise anything to others lightly, or make any wishes, not even as a joke. You should return home quickly after get off work, and don't go near someone else's house if you see burning buns. If you really have to pass by there, say something like "don't be surprised if there's something strange going on, there's no taboo" when you pass by.

Some people also believe that July 14 is the day with the heaviest yin energy in the Ghost Month. Legend has it that if you stay in the wilderness at midnight on this day, you will see the spectacle of hundreds of ghosts parading at night. Hundreds of ghosts came over the Naihe Bridge, and the underworld lit up big red lanterns to lead them, marching towards the Yang World they had been away from for a long time. So it is not advisable to go out this night.

Therefore, it is best to stay at home during the Ghost Festival, especially avoid walking at night. If you must walk at night, it is recommended to walk with a few more people. People with weak horoscopes should be especially careful and it is better to go out with others. If you go out, please remember not to go to places like rivers or waterside.