The English Name of Zhongyuan Festival and Why it is Considered a Ghost Festival
Zhongyuan Festival, also known as Hungry Ghost Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It is believed that on this day, the gates of the underworld are opened, and the spirits of the dead are allowed to return to the world of the living to visit their loved ones. In this article, we will explore the English name of Zhongyuan Festival and why it is considered a ghost festival.
The English Name of Zhongyuan Festival
The English name of Zhongyuan Festival is Hungry Ghost Festival. This name is derived from the belief that the spirits of the dead, who have not been properly honored or who have no living descendants to offer them sacrifices, become hungry and restless and wander the earth in search of food and attention.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is not unique to China. Similar festivals are celebrated in other parts of Asia, such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In Japan, the festival is known as Obon, while in Korea it is called Chuseok. In Vietnam, it is known as Vu Lan.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is also known as the Ghost Festival, the Spirit Festival, and the Ancestral Ghost Festival. These names reflect the belief that the spirits of the dead are able to return to the world of the living during this time and that they need to be appeased and honored in order to ensure good fortune and prosperity for the living.
Why Zhongyuan Festival is Considered a Ghost Festival
Zhongyuan Festival is considered a ghost festival because it is believed that the spirits of the dead are able to return to the world of the living during this time. This belief is based on the Chinese concept of the afterlife, which holds that the soul of the deceased continues to exist in a spirit world after death.
According to Chinese tradition, the afterlife is divided into different realms, each with its own set of rules and customs. The realm of the dead is ruled by the god of the underworld, Yanluo Wang, who judges the souls of the deceased and assigns them to their appropriate realm.
During Zhongyuan Festival, it is believed that the gates of the underworld are opened, and the spirits of the dead are allowed to return to the world of the living to visit their loved ones. In order to ensure that the spirits are properly honored and appeased, people offer food, incense, and other offerings to the spirits and perform rituals and ceremonies to honor their ancestors.
It is also believed that during Zhongyuan Festival, the spirits of the dead who have not been properly honored or who have no living descendants to offer them sacrifices become hungry and restless and wander the earth in search of food and attention. In order to appease these hungry ghosts, people offer food and other offerings to them and perform rituals and ceremonies to help them find peace and rest.
Conclusion
Zhongyuan Festival, also known as Hungry Ghost Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It is considered a ghost festival because it is believed that the spirits of the dead are able to return to the world of the living during this time. The festival is an important time for Chinese people to honor their ancestors and ensure good fortune and prosperity for the living.