Business owner in Taiwan closes shop during Hungry Ghost Festival, sparking electronic laughter due to perceived cowardice
The Hungry Ghost Festival, a month-long event that falls in the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has begun this year from August 23 to September 21. This festival, steeped in ancient beliefs and superstitions, has sparked humorous discussions in Taiwan as two shops decided to close their doors on the first day of the Ghost Month.
According to traditional Chinese folklore, the yin, or dark and passive energy, is believed to be especially strong on the gate-opening day and the 15th day of the Ghost Month. This year, these significant days fall on September 1 and September 15, respectively.
The Ghost Month, also known as the Hungry Ghost Month, is a time when it is believed that the gates of hell open, allowing the Hungry Ghosts, a type of phantom not given any offerings or respect, and the ancestors of the living to visit the world of the living. During this month, the Hungry Ghosts are believed to be present in the world of the living for the entire month.
The 15th day of the Ghost Month is considered a particularly significant day, marked by increased yin energy. It is a day when offerings are made to the Hungry Ghosts and the ancestors to appease them and ensure a smooth transition back to the spirit world when the Ghost Month ends.
However, the search results do not contain information about the names of the two stores in Taiwan that closed on the first day of the Ghost Month. It is unclear whether their decision was influenced by the superstitions associated with the Ghost Month.
Despite the closure of these two shops, the Hungry Ghost Festival continues to be celebrated across Taiwan and other countries with significant Chinese populations. Offerings such as food, incense, and joss paper are made to appease the Hungry Ghosts and the ancestors, and various cultural activities, such as temple fairs, are held to mark the occasion.
As the Ghost Month progresses, it is hoped that the offerings made will bring peace and harmony to both the living and the spirits. The Ghost Month will end on September 21, when it is believed that the gates of hell will close once more, marking the end of the Hungry Ghost Festival.
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