Lunar July!! What's the Taboo!

Lunar July!! What's the Taboo!

Tomorrow (7/29) is the first day of lunar July, also known as the ghost month. It is the day that the nether world will open and the afterlife will come back to the world. It will continue for a month and families and shops have to prepare food for the wandering ghosts so that they can have a good meal and go back to the underworld happily without playing tricks. 

In custom, people should avoid doing things such as hanging out late at night or having water activities outdoors during the period. We will also use the word “good brothers” instead of calling them ghosts  so that they won’t notice we are discussing them.

Here to share a few notes that should be more careful in the ghost month.

 

Do not whistle or hang a windbell at home

The sounds of whistling will give the good brothers a wrong hint of thinking someone is calling them and therefore be followed easily. Hanging a windbell at home is the same. They may misunderstand it as an invitation when hearing the sound and then come to you.

  

Do not open the umbrella indoor

It is said that because the good brothers are afraid of the sun, they will hide under the umbrella. Also, the sound of the umbrella in Mandarin is similar to the sound of “separate”,which has the bad meaning of losing family members or bad luck. Therefore, people should avoid opening the umbrella in the house.

 

Do not put too many plants on the balcony  

The good brothers like to rest under the shadow of the tree. If there are too many plants on the balcony and cover the sunlight, they will come more easily. It is better pruning the plants before lunar July comes.

 

Do not dry clothes on the balcony

It is common to see people drying clothes on the balcony in Taiwan, but better not do it in the ghost month. The shape of the clothes looks like human beings and thus will easily attract good brothers to attach on. If washing the clothes, remember to take it down before the sun goes down.

 

Do not turn off all the lights indoor

Some of the people like to turn off all the lights in the house when they are not at home, and even close the windows as well. It will make the place the good brothers’ favorite, dark and sultry. It is better to leave the front door light on and open the window and let the sunlight come in. It can not only keep the wanderings away but also the housebreaker.

Lunar July is the only month that the afterlife is able to come to the world and enjoy the food prepared from people. Therefore many taboos are derived. For example, if someone calls you from behind at night, do not answer. Do not take the final bus because it is the one the good brothers usually take.

Although they are all from ancient folk customs, it would rather believe it to be true than not. Pay attention to everything and play more at ease!