Ghost Month 2025: How To Survive The Zhong Yuan Festival Like A Local

Learning Chinese means understanding when your Taiwanese coworker suddenly won’t sign contracts in August, or why your Chinese neighbors refuse to schedule a wedding during the Chinese Ghost Month (鬼月／鬼月, guǐ yuè). This time, the Ghost Month 2025 runs from August 23 to September 21, and when it hits, spirits roam freely and locals completely flip their routines.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what Zhong Yuan Festival actually is and why Zhong Yuan Festival 2025 matters so much to Chinese communities. You’ll also pick up 20 key Chinese words that people use during Ghost Month, learn what those roadside offerings are all about, and get tips locals use to stay safe when the supernatural world gets a wee bit too close for comfort.

What Is Ghost Month?

Ghost Month is the seventh lunar month in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is considered the scariest time of the year for many Asian countries because it’s believed that the boundary between the living and the spirit realm disappears during this time. This means that supernatural forces may interact directly with humans.

The month begins when the Gates of Hell open on the first day, releasing both ancestral spirits and hungry ghosts into the mortal world. Taiwanese call this opening 鬼門開 (guǐ mén kāi). During this time, it’s believed that ancestral spirits return home to visit family, while masterless ghosts roam freely searching for food and victims.

The month ends when priests chant to signal spirits that the Gates of Hell are closing, forcing all supernatural beings back to the underworld until next year.

How Long Is The Ghost Month In 2025?

Ghost Month lasts for the entirety of the seventh lunar month. In 2025, this translates to August 23 through September 21 in the solar calendar. The dates shift each year because the lunar calendar doesn't align with our standard calendar system.

The 15th day marks the Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival (中元節, zhōng yuán jié), when spirits reach peak activity and communities hold their largest ceremonies and offerings. This falls on September 6, 2025.

What Is The Zhong Yuan Festival?

The Zhong Yuan Festival (中元節, zhōng yuán jié), also known as the Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival, takes place on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Basically, it marks the most important day during Ghost Month when spirits reach peak activity.

This festival serves two purposes: helping suffering souls escape purgatory through offerings and charitable acts, and keeping ghosts from causing trouble for living families. Taoists and Buddhists each have their own name for it, but everyone agrees it's one of China's four major traditional holidays.

The Origin of Zhong Yuan Festival

The Zhong Yuan Festival combines three religious traditions that developed over thousands of years, each contributing different beliefs about spirits and the afterlife.

• Taoist tradition celebrates the birthday of 地官大帝 (dì guān dàdì), the God of Land, who reduces ghosts' sins and frees them from suffering
• Buddhist tradition centers on Mulian's story—a disciple whose mother became a hungry ghost, freed only when many monks prayed together on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month
• Ancient Chinese folk beliefs from the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 B.C.E.) established the concept of communicating with ancestors and hell's gates opening to release spirits

Chinese Offerings During The Zhong Yuan Festival

People make offerings during the Zhong Yuan Festival to feed hungry ghosts and honor ancestors. The belief is that well-fed spirits won't cause trouble for the living, while neglected ghosts might seek revenge. These offerings also help suffering souls in the underworld and bring good fortune to families.

According to the locals, one must never offer bananas, plums, pears, and pineapples together. Apparently, their combined Taiwanese pronunciation sounds like "please come, all of you" (招你來, zhāo nǐ lái), which could attract too many hungry ghosts.

What is 好兄弟?

好兄弟 (hǎo xiōng dì) literally means "Good Brothers," but it's actually how people politely refer to ghosts without saying the word "ghost" (鬼, guǐ). Using this euphemism shows respect and helps avoid offending any spirits who might be listening.

How To Stay Lucky During The Ghost Month?

Staying safe during Ghost Month requires balancing respect for spirits with protective measures for yourself. The key is keeping ghosts happy through offerings while avoiding actions that might attract unwanted supernatural attention. Most locals follow a simple rule: feed the spirits, avoid risky situations, and postpone major life decisions until the month ends.

Make Proper Offerings

Prepare food offerings, incense, and ghost money to keep spirits satisfied. Modern additions like beverages, cookies, instant noodles, and cigarettes work just as well as traditional items. Burn joss paper and paper effigies of cars, houses, and smartphones—the more you burn, the more prosperous the ghosts become, which benefits you in return.

Religious ceremonies happen on the 15th day when Taoists and Buddhists perform rituals to ease the suffering of deceased souls. These include chanting sutras and Pudu (普渡) ceremonies that help spirits move on to their next life.

Release Water Lanterns

Floating water lanterns (放水燈, fàng shuǐdēng) into rivers or lakes dispels misfortune and guides hungry ghosts back to their spiritual realm. The further your lantern floats, the greater blessing you receive. This practice literally carries bad luck away from your life.

Perform Charitable Acts

The Zhong Yuan Festival aims to deliver suffering souls from purgatory through charitable acts. Doing good deeds increases the power of amnesty and redemption for souls, which brings merit back to you. The first seven days of Ghost Month also provide an excellent time for lovers to pray to Yue Lao (月老), the matchmaking god.

Avoid Risky Activities

Water activities become dangerous during Ghost Month because water ghosts look for drowning victims. Stay away from swimming in rivers, beaches, or ponds. Late-night activities also increase risk—avoid staying out late, whistling at night, or taking the last bus when ghost activity peaks.

Postpone Major Life Decisions

Schedule important events for after Ghost Month ends. Moving to a new house may bring bad feng shui, weddings might end in divorce, and starting businesses or signing contracts may become inauspicious. Medical operations should also wait unless absolutely necessary.

Follow Daily Precautions

Several everyday actions can attract unwanted spirit attention:

• Never touch food offerings left by roadsides—these belong to ghosts
• Don't pick up money found on streets, as it might be bribes for hell guards
• Avoid wearing red or black clothing that attracts ghosts
• Keep clothes inside at night so wandering spirits can't try them on
• Don't open umbrellas indoors, as ghosts might seek shelter
• Avoid pointing sandals toward bedrooms to prevent attracting Yin energy
• Never stick chopsticks vertically in rice bowls—this resembles ritual offerings
• Remove wind chimes that might attract spirits with their sound
• Avoid taking photos that could accidentally capture spirits
• Don't point at the moon to avoid offending the moon goddess
• Stay away from graveyards, remote mountains, and abandoned buildings
• Let butterflies that enter your home leave peacefully—they might be visiting spirits

20 Chinese Words For The Ghost Month

Whether you're living in a Chinese community or just want to understand the cultural context behind the language, these 20 essential terms will prepare you for Ghost Month discussions.

Master Chinese Language And Culture Today

Now you know the Ghost Month basics, but here’s the thing...you really need to hear these words in action! Chinese shows and movies drop 鬼月 (Ghost Month) references all the time. Characters casually mention 好兄弟 (Good Brothers) or warn about 水鬼 (water ghosts), and suddenly the cultural context clicks.

That's where Lingopie comes in handy!

With Lingopie, you can watch Chinese content and just tap any word for instant meaning. When someone talks about 普渡 (salvation ceremonies) or 供品 (offerings), you’ll get it immediately. Give it a try today by clicking below for a FREE 7-day trial!

FAQs

What Is The Chinese Word For Ghost Month?

The Chinese word for Ghost Month is 鬼月 (guǐ yuè). The character 鬼 means "ghost" or "spirit," while 月 means "month." It's also commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival during this period.

When Is Ghost Month?

Ghost Month occurs during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, typically running from August to September each year. In 2025, Ghost Month runs from August 23 to September 21, with the peak Ghost Festival on September 6.

What To Say Zhong Yuan Festival In Chinese?

People typically say "中元節快樂" (zhōng yuán jié kuài lè), meaning "Happy Zhong Yuan Festival" as a greeting during this time. However, since it's a solemn occasion honoring the dead, many prefer more respectful phrases like "祖先保佑" (zǔ xiān bǎo yòu), meaning "may ancestors bless you." Some also say "平安" (píng ān,) meaning "peace" as a way to wish safety during this supernatural period.

What Are The Rules For Ghost Month?

Ghost Month follows the principle of appeasing spirits through offerings while avoiding activities that might attract unwanted attention. Key practices include making food offerings outdoors, burning incense and paper money, and using respectful language like calling ghosts "好兄弟" (Good Brothers).