【文化分享】Most Special Activity for Ghost Festival Culture in Taiwan? 最特殊的台灣中元普渡文化活動?

     In Asian culture, the seventh lunar month is traditionally regarded as Ghost Month, and “The Ghost Festival” is celebrated on its 15th day as “the Pudu rite”. Since ancient times, Taiwanese people have believed that the gates of hell open up on the day of the festival, so people do things like releasing water lanterns, burning incense and joss paper, and making food offerings to honor the spirits of the deceased.

     “Chiang Gu” activity is the liveliest scene in the Pudu rite. Competitors need to climb the single pillar, up to a single shed and get food offerings and a flag. Some people think it can entertain their ancestors; some people think it can warn the wandering ghosts.

     During Ghost Festival, you may see Taiwanese people burning incense and ghost money for their ancestors, which can make sure that their ancestors are comfortable in the afterlife. The common food offerings are included uncooked rice, unpeeled fruit and uncut meat.

　　在亞洲文化中，農曆七月傳統上被視為鬼月，會在該月十五日舉辦儀式。自古以來，台灣人深信鬼門在當天打開，所以人們透過放水燈、燒香和紙錢以及供奉食物等活動祭祀亡靈。

　　搶孤活動是中元普渡儀式裡最熱鬧的景象。參賽者必須攀爬「孤柱」、翻上「孤棚」並取得祭品與順風旗。有些人認為搶孤是為了娛樂先靈; 有人則認為它可以嚇退流連忘返的亡魂。

　　在中元節期間，你可能會看到台灣人燒香和紙錢給他們的祖先，以確保他們的祖先在另一個世界過得安好。常見的祭品包含生米、未削皮的水果和未切的肉品。

Reference:英文庫、LINE TODAY、風傳媒