Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Ghost festival

I took this photo downstairs from my parents' place and focused on capturing the flames. It's interesing that a lot of cultures have some kind of ghost/demon-related rituals. The ghost festival, or hungry ghost festival, is what it is called in Chinese tradition. I guess the ritual differs in areas, but in Southern China including HK, people burn incense and other paper-made symbolic items to the dead. Yesterday was the official day of the festival and other rituals take place through out the seventh lunar month.
Links: another shot here, Wiki page on ghost festival here

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posted by Lisi at 5:48 PM

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camera Hong kong

Comments on "Ghost festival"

　

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (August 08, 2006 6:57 PM) : 

Interesting comment as I had no idea this existed! Really nice shot you captured there. Hey btw, your 'another shot here' link is not working. It will be sad to miss another shot like this one :)

　

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (August 08, 2006 10:30 PM) : 

I'm surprised you were 'discreet' enough taking these pictures. I would think that the people performing the rituals wouldn't be too keen of having someone photographing the scene.

　

Blogger Claire said ... (August 08, 2006 10:42 PM) : 

Love this image! The flames are outstanding!

　

Blogger Irredento Urbanita said ... (August 09, 2006 4:18 AM) : 

Yeah, here in my country people burn big puppets made of fabric and paper, that's the way they say good bye to old year.

Greetings from Perú

　

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (August 09, 2006 6:06 AM) : 

This is the first time I've heard of a ghost festival...thanks for sharing :)

　

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (August 09, 2006 12:15 PM) : 

yup! monday is the 14th....so as a cantonese in singapore, we gotta burn the incense too~ whereas the hokkien and teochew would burn theirs on the 15th...
most of the time we are advised not to stay out late during these period...bcoz...u all should know why... ;)

　

Blogger Kala said ... (August 09, 2006 3:53 PM) : 

Kinda creepy - yikes - but I guess in a way , they do that here , except its called new years hahaha some people pop fireworks near the doorways to ward off evil spirits - I've also seen people burn paper money that is in a paper bag shaped like a pillow into a large metal barrel - interesting customs around the world!

　

Blogger Lisi said ... (August 10, 2006 1:06 PM) : 

I think there are some interesting rituals like in Austria, from what my sister told me, and in fact, isn't Halloween another one which has been commercialised. The ghost festival was eerie when I was young, of course, not anymore now ;-)

thanks for your footprints.

　

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