Ghost Month (Celine Chen)

From July to August, there period of time in Taiwan known as Ghost Month. It lasts for the entire 7^th lunar month and it is believed during this time that it is the ghost’s vacation. This is a time for ghosts from the afterlife to come back and settle old scores and visit their homes.

During this time, families will burn joss paper and put out food offerings for their deceased family members. Those that forget or ignore their ancestors will be haunted by lost souls, ones that their own family members did not remember to honor. This month is very superstitious as the Taiwanese tend to not travel as much or get married during this time.  In correspondence with religion, the Buddhist Deliverance and Taoist Ghost festival are both in Ghost Month.