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中元節 Chinese Ghost Festival Celebrations in China And around the World

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中元節 - About <ul><ul><li>Also called the Hungry Ghost Festival </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>During the 7th month- 15 th day is the most important </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>It is believed that the dead can cross over in to the living realm during this time </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>People believe they are visited by ancestors </li></ul></ul>

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中元節 - Celebrations and Customs <ul><ul><li>7th day- feasts are prepared for ghosts </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Burning fake money and paper items (TV's, furniture, etc.) </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li> Street Opera performances- front row left open for ghosts </li></ul></ul>

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Celebrations and Cutoms- Cont. <ul><ul><li>Shops close so the streets are open for the dead to pass </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Some float water lanterns to light the way for the dead </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Advised not to- </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Go swimming </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Wander around late at night </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Get married, start a business, etc. </li></ul></ul>

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The Oban(Festivals of the Lanterns <ul><ul><li>The Oban is celebrated in Japan every year in the month of August. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>This is when the souls from the dead go back to the living world to visit their relatives(Similar to the Chinese Ghost Festival). </li></ul></ul>

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The Oban(cont'd) <ul><ul><li> People would put food offerings in the temples and their houses for the souls. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li> When the sun has set, the people would put lanterns in front of their houses to guide the souls back to their homes. </li></ul></ul><ul><li> </li></ul>

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P'chum Ben -Cambodian Celebration <ul><ul><li>Cambodian Buddishts celebrate P'chum Ben on the 10th month of the Lunar calendar. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>It is celebrated for 15 days with many entertainment such as music, speeches, and food. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>People wear their finest clothes on this day and meet up with friends and family. </li></ul></ul><ul><li> </li></ul>

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P'chum Ben-Cambodian(cont'd) <ul><ul><li>The first 14 days people would prepare food offerings and bring them to the temple to give to the monks and to their ancestors. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>On the 15th day, they would bring in special treats to end the festival and also cook batches of rice to lay on the ground for hungry ghosts going around. </li></ul></ul>

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The Day of the Dead is a Mexican Holiday that is meant to be a memorial for ancestors that have passed away. It is also celebrated by Latinos living in the United States and Canada. It occurs annually on November 2 nd .

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BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS <ul><ul><li>It is believed that during the holiday it is easier for souls to visit the living. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>People go to cemeteries to communicate with those who have passed away. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Build private altars containing photos, food, and other items to honor the departed. </li></ul></ul>

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BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS (CONT’D) <ul><ul><li>For children who have passed away, toys are brought to there shrines. For adults, they get alcoholic beverages. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Some families spend time at the altars telling stories about the deceased relatives. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Dancers where shells on there clothing to awaken the dead. </li></ul></ul>

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BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS (CONT’D) <ul><ul><li>The symbol of this holiday is a skull or Calaveras. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Calaveras can also be poems or comic strips. They originated in the 18 th Century . </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>During this holiday, certain foods are usually prepared such as sugar skulls and pan de muerto which is sweet bread. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Sugar skills are edible “gifts” that can be self decorated. They can be given to both the living and the dead. </li></ul></ul>

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Sources http://www.chinese-culture.net/html/hungry_ghost_festival.htmlhttp://www.essortment.com/all/hungryghostfes_opi.htm http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/ghost.htm http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/holidays/ghost_festival.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_dead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CemetarioAlmoloyaRio1995.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gran_calavera_el%C3%A9ctrica2.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2068068746_21b31d8c5f.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ofrenda_in_Ciudad_Universitaria,_Mexico_DF_.jpg http://www.planetvideo.com.au/blog/2008/11/01/Camisa_de_los_Muertos7ngDetail.jpg http://media.photobucket.com/image/day%20of%20the%20dead/acootis/Day%20of%20the%20Dead/Day_of_the_Dead.jpg

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Sources <ul><li>&quot;Not Just Halloween: Festivals of the Dead from around the World.&quot; EDSITEment . Oct. 2004. Web. 28 Aug. 2009. <http://edsitement.neh.gov/monthly_feature.asp?id=80 > </li></ul><ul><li>http://www.planetvideo.com.au/blog/2008/11/01/Camisa_de_los_Muertos7ngDetail.jpg </li></ul><ul><li>http://media.photobucket.com/image/day%20of%20the%20dead/acootis/Day%20of%20the%20Dead/Day_of_the_Dead.jpg </li></ul><ul><li>http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/WatMohaMontreyAtPchumBen.JPG </li></ul><ul><li>http://www.underthedragon.com/79_Caption7_PchumBen.jpg </li></ul>