Eastern Asian customs in the month of the soul

Not only Vietnam, but other Asian countries like China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia . also have many unique customs in the month of the soul.

On July 15, the lunar calendar is the most important day of the month in China.The Chinese conceive that on this day, the gates of hell will open, all ghosts go to earth to earn food and play under the full moon.During the full moon day and the whole month of the soul, as well as the Vietnamese people, Chinese people prepare the meal, burning code including money, clothes . for ancestors and other strenuous souls.Through these actions, Chinese people want to maintain the ancestor's virtue, the ancestral desire to bless their children and soothe many other souls.(Photo: China Daily).

Going to the outdoor theater is also an indispensable activity in China during the month of the soul.Drama praises gods and is said to bring joy to ghosts.Today, they are performed in skyscrapers in big cities like Beijing.One can easily imagine ghosts wandering in ancient villages but rarely think of this image in a bright city.(Photo: China Daily).

On the last day of the month of the soul, the Chinese will drop lanterns down the rivers as if to guide the ghost back to the underworld.During the month of the spirit, Chinese people abstain from going out at night because of fear of death, not swimming because of fear of drowning, abstaining from singing or whistling if they do not want ghosts to respond to their words.(Photo: BBC).

Obon is an event of Japanese Buddhists taking place in 3 days of August every year.It is believed that on this occasion, the ancestor's soul returned to earthly to visit their relatives.On the first day, Japanese people will visit relatives' graves and decorate graves with fruits, cakes and lanterns.On the second day, they prepared the altar at home.At the top of the altar, people place memorials on ancestors and offer vegetarian dishes.Animals made from cucumbers or eggplant are placed on the altar, symbolizing the means of receiving souls.(Photo: savvytokyo).

On the last day, Japanese people wear summer kimono (yukata) and join Obon (bon odori) dance in a circle.(Photo: sohdaiko).

The fire offering on Obon was carried out when five fire strips were burned in five mountains around Kyoto for about an hour.This sacred offering of fire aims to see the souls of the deceased return after visiting the world.In addition, Japanese people also witnessed fireworks displays during this holiday.(Photo: sushiknife).

Soul festival in Singapore also falls in the seventh lunar month.Here, people also lit incense for ancestors, burning votive gold for lemur.Besides, they avoid moving houses or offices because they think this will make the residing souls angry, avoid killing insects or wearing red shirts because the devil will follow.(Photo: Singapore Tourism Board).

Singaporeans come to see dramatic performances held in the outdoor stage.The first row of seats is left empty for ghosts only.Today, outdoor performances are also attended by singers.(Photo: travel-and-photography.blogspot).

Malaysia also has customs in the month when the soul is similar to the Chinese people such as releasing lights to see spirits, offering offerings, burning votive gold . Malaysian people often leave offerings on the road because they believe that these ghosts can take those things on the way.(Photo: theborneopost).

Buddhists also went to temples in Malaysia to pray for the spirits and burn the effigies of the gods of last month's souls.(Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP / Getty).

The monk tossed coins to good luck followers during the Devil holidays in Malaysia.(Photo: Reuters).

Thailand has a ghost festival or Phi Ta Khon held in 3 days of June every year in Dan Sai district in Loei province, which honors the return of Buddha - Prince Vessandorn after he Leave your village to start a long journey.According to local beliefs, because people celebrate this festival so big, they awaken the spirits.Participants in the festival often wear costumes like demons and masks.Many young people dance and perform fighting moves with ghosts embodied through masks made from coconut trees.The colorful Phi Ta Khon festival has contributed to attracting many tourists here every year.(Photo: Bangkok post).