Do Other Cultures Have a Ghost Month Similar to the Chinese Ghost Festival?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Chinese Ghost Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, where it is believed that the gates of hell open, allowing the dead to roam the Earth. Participants inquire about similar traditions in other cultures, particularly in the context of Ramadan and Halloween. While Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, has religious origins, it is primarily celebrated in modern times as a secular holiday in North America and Europe. The conversation also touches on the differences between lunar and luni-solar calendars, emphasizing that the Chinese calendar's alignment with seasons differs from the purely lunar nature of Ramadan.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Chinese lunar calendar
  • Knowledge of the significance of the Ghost Festival
  • Familiarity with Ramadan and its lunar calendar
  • Awareness of Halloween's historical context
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  • Research the cultural significance of the Chinese Ghost Festival
  • Explore the historical origins of Halloween and its transformation over time
  • Investigate the differences between lunar and luni-solar calendars
  • Learn about other cultural observances related to the dead across various traditions
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Cultural anthropologists, historians, and individuals interested in global traditions surrounding death and remembrance, as well as those exploring the intersections of religious and secular celebrations.

lucas_
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Today (or tomorrow) depending on your time zone is ghost month day. Here is what it is:

http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/ghost-festival/"Ghost Festival Celebrated by Buddhists and Taoists all over Asia, the Ghost Festival is a holiday that is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar. It is believed that on this day the gates of hell are opened and the dead are allowed to walk the Earth in search for food."

Ramadan also occurs around this time. I'd like to know if your tradition has similar superstition around this time?

Where do you think all these originated? The source of the myths and legends? In the US and Europe, do you have ghost month too? What month is it?
 
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lucas_ said:
Ramadan also occurs around this time.

Ramadan ended 2-1/2 months ago. If you allow +/- 2.5 months, half the year falls into this category.
 
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This thread is spooky. I'm getting freaked out. Is this related to the time travel thread that we just deleted tomorrow? o0)
 
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lucas_ said:
In the US and Europe, do you have ghost month too? What month is it?

We have halloween on October 31st.
 
I'm curious, did (or does) anyone here from Europe\North America ever observe halloween like a religious holiday? I don't recall anyone ever celebrating this as anything other than a candy grab or party excuse.
 
DavidSnider said:
I'm curious, did (or does) anyone here from Europe\North America ever observe halloween like a religious holiday? I don't recall anyone ever celebrating this as anything other than a candy grab or party excuse.
All Hallow's Eve (the evening before All Saints Day) started out as a religious observance, but no longer is.
 
berkeman said:
This thread is spooky. I'm getting freaked out. Is this related to the time travel thread that we just deleted tomorrow? o0)
Not yet, but it will be.
 
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lucas_ said:
Ramadan also occurs around this time.
Ramadan is a lunar month that's part of a 12-month lunar year, and therefore drifts through the seasons, earlier each time. The Chinese calendar is luni-solar and keeps pace with the seasons because it adds a leap month when necessary. They cannot be compared.
 
Why are Chinese dates so different from the 365 calendar? for example, their new year is around February or vary. Which is more accurate or really indicate of the Earth position around the sun?
 
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lucas_ said:
Which is more accurate or really indicate of the Earth position around the sun?

Huh? The sun is where it is on a given date, no matter what word you use to identify that date.
 

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