What is the best time to burn paper during the Zhongyuan Festival? What are the rules for burning paper during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival again, and every household is busy burning paper money for their ancestors. But do you know what time is the best time to burn paper on the Ghost Festival? Also, should we pay attention to anything when burning paper money on July 15th? What is the significance of burning paper on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month? Let’s learn more about it.

What time is best for burning paper during the Ghost Festival?

The best time to burn paper during the Ghost Festival on July 15 is after 9pm and before midnight. The best time to go is usually when it’s completely dark, after 9pm and before midnight. Try to avoid people on the road and don't talk to anyone. Burning paper refers to paper money that people burn to worship ghosts and gods, also known as "burning paper money". In some places, it is called "Hua Bao". The purpose of burning paper money is to worship the ancestors and gods and pray for blessings.

There are roughly three types of objects for burning paper money: one is for Buddha, immortals and gods, usually a clean outdoor place is chosen to burn paper; the second is for ancestors and relatives, by burning paper at a crossroads near home; the third is for wandering spirits, by the river or before burning paper for ancestors.

What are the rules for burning paper on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month?

1. When buying paper money, buy yellow paper. It is a traditional Chinese custom to burn yellow paper. People believe that yellow paper is big money and can be used anywhere in the underworld. Remember not to buy ghost money. Those colorful ghost money are only small coins and are not convenient for your relatives to carry.

2. After buying the yellow burnt paper, spread it out first, and then press a real coin on it. To feel that this real banknote is a stamp, pour it down from left to right and press it down row by row from top to bottom until the entire piece of yellow burnt paper is covered. It is believed that such burnt paper is the real one that can be used throughout the world.

3. After pressing the yellow burnt paper, cut it into square paper about 30 cm in length and width. After cutting, put them together and mark them. There are also some rules for cutting paper money. Usually four sheets make up a set and they can be folded diagonally to make it easier for people in the underworld to take.

4. Before you start burning paper, prepare a windproof lighter (the yin energy is high and windy on July 15th, so the flame can be easily blown out) and a wet wood stick. This makes it convenient to separate the paper money that is pressed together and allow air to circulate so that the paper money can burn fully. Don't take the stick back after use, just throw it away.

5. To burn paper money on July 15th, wait until dark before doing so. On the way back from burning paper, try to avoid ashes from other people's paper. Sometimes an intersection is filled with piles of paper ashes and you can't get around them, so you have to carefully weave through. Sometimes you may need to take a big step. Before you go through, you have to say, "Excuse me, please let me pass."

6. Before you start burning paper money, draw a circle on the ground, and be careful not to get yourself inside it. At the same time, a gap should be left in the northwest corner to facilitate relatives below to come in and get the money.

7. When burning paper money for your ancestors, your expression should be serious. You cannot laugh or play, and you cannot point fingers at others. Since you are burning paper money, you must be respectful to show your respect for the ancestors.

8. Before burning paper for your relatives, light two pieces and throw them outside the circle to drive away the wandering ghosts who have no relatives to send money to.

9. When burning paper money, you should chant something, such as: XXX, I’ve sent you money, XXXX has come to see you today, please keep the money you received, etc.

10. You must insist on watching the paper burn out before you leave. This can prevent fire and also prevent the wind from blowing the paper out and being picked up by passers-by, which would upset the elderly person.

Steps to burning paper

1. First, you need to prepare the offerings, fruits such as apples and longans, or an appropriate amount of raw meat, place them in front of the grave and start lighting incense. Generally, three sticks are enough. Don't use too many. The more the better. Only three sticks can connect heaven and earth and tell the ancestors' ghosts to come and claim them.

2. Burning incense before burning is the first step. The next step is to light candles. Because there is no sun or moon in the underworld and the roads are unclear, lights must be lit to guide the direction and tell the deceased where to receive the gift. Burn the paper money at the last moment. Make sure to wrap it in aconite and prepare the base fire well when burning it to prevent the paper money from not being completely burned out and leaving behind. Also, do not move the paper money during the burning process and let it burn freely.

3. When burning the incense, you should also burn some loose coins around. This is for the wandering ghosts to prevent them from stealing. It is also an act of giving alms and doing good deeds, so you must burn it. In some places, people throw water rice to give alms to wandering ghosts. Families with the means can also do this. The so-called water rice is rice soup, which can be thrown in all directions after arriving at the grave.