The first day of the seventh lunar month (August 4) is approaching, which also means that the ghost month of Singapore will officially begin......
A platform has been erected outside the hawker centre:
The following is the "Pudu Gong", who came to the world on the first day of the seventh month to control the "good brothers", which is equivalent to the general manager. Today, because it is not yet July, the red paper on his face has not yet been revealed.
The first day of the seventh lunar month is the day when the ghost gate is opened. The "good brothers" (lonely ghosts) who have been imprisoned for a year will be released on this day......
So in the coming month, everyone must be extra careful and know how to avoid some taboos!
Don't commit any of these taboos!
1. Don't cry alone in the middle of the night
It is said that if you cry in the middle of the night during the Ghost Month, the Lonely Spirits will think that you are calling them, and they will come to you.......
2. Don't shout someone's name out loud at night
"Good brother" has a super good memory, if you call other people's names at night and be remembered by them, you may have to live in Zhongyuan every day in the future......
3. Don't whistle at night
It's the same as shouting names. Single ghosts have been lonely for a year, and hearing someone whistling may think you're accosting you and then pestering you...... (Of course, if you like the hexagram "people and ghosts are not over", I didn't say it...... ）
4. Don't dry your clothes at night
Drying clothes at night is a means of conjuring spirits, and everyone has a love for beauty, and "good brothers" are no exception. If you dry your clothes in the middle of the night and see something you like when the ghost passes by, you are likely to wear it away, and you may return it to you after borrowing it...... This comes and goes, I can't think of it!
5. Don't use an umbrella indoors
For "good brothers" who are afraid of light, your act of holding an umbrella indoors is likely to be seen as a "warm welcome" to them, so watch out for a house full of friends......
6. Don't sit in the first row while watching the stand
During the Ghost Month, there will be kartai all over the island. Many friends wonder, why is there no one sitting in the first row? Attention, it's for ghosts. If you are late and don't have a seat, you'd rather stand than sit in the first row, and if you accidentally sit on the "body" of your "good brother", you may be stalked and beaten for the rest of the year......
7. Don't decorate, move or the office is said not to move or decorate in the ghost month, because the lonely ghost has been wandering outside for a whole year, and it is inevitable that you want to settle down when you see a beautiful house, and if you are fancied, you really have to "rely on each other" with them~
8. Don't pat others on the shoulder, saying that there are three fires on the top of the head and on both shoulders. The more the fire burned, the more the demons did not dare to approach. And casually patting on the shoulder, it's easy to extinguish someone else's fire... Be careful, when the "good brothers" instantly feel your hospitality and friendliness, and compete to make friends with you!
9. Don't step on the offerings on the road
Do not step on the offerings that are placed on the road. If you see paper ashes burned and offerings on the side of the road, please take a detour. Think about it, when we are sitting at the table and eating happily, and suddenly someone next to you flips your table without saying anything, what is it like?
10. Don't take pictures at night
It's better not to take pictures at night this month, after all, if you accidentally take a photo of a "passerby", when you check the photos later, you will be scared half to death!
I said what I can't do on Halloween, now let's talk about where I can't go!
Old Changi Hospital
Since its abandonment in 1997, it has been known as one of the world's top ten supernatural places. During World War II, it was a Japanese prisoner of war camp. After the war, paranormal events were frequent, and everyone preferred to recuperate at home rather than in this hospital.
Bukit Brown
Singapore's oldest cemetery, with a total area of about 160 hectares and 200,000 graves, was once the largest Chinese cemetery in the world outside of China. The earliest Chinese who came to Nanyang can be traced back to 1833.
Due to the heavy yin qi, it is best to leave the cemetery before 12 noon. Of course, during the day in other months, it is naturally a good place to learn about the history of Singapore.
Haw Par Villas
Haw Par Villas have been renovated this year, but the large number of statues is still very impressive. Veteran employees claim that they are possessed by wandering spirits. During the Ghost Month, wails are often heard.
(Source: Haw Par Villa)
Well, having said so much evil, now let's introduce to you what celebrations are taking place in Singapore in the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
Zhongyuan Society
The "Blessing Blessing" activity is usually organized by an organization called the "Zhongyuan Society". In addition to temples, large and small trade unions, companies, street organizations, etc., all have "Zhongyuan Hui", which can be described as one of the important ways for Chinese society to enhance cohesion and help each other.
After the worship, everyone eats the animal together, and other offerings such as rice, flour, and oil can be divided equally among individuals to take home, or given to vulnerable groups in need in the area.
Arrange the tributes in advance
The most lively and exciting part of the whole worship ceremony is the blessing shouting. It can be wine, ornaments, fans, microwave ovens, or anything else, but it's just a "blessing", but what it is really doesn't really really matter.
Some blessings may not be of high value in themselves, but because of the meaning of charity (note: most of the money raised from bidding for blessings will be used to fund the disadvantaged) and prayers, the price will often be raised to a very high level under the bidding of you and me.
Because of the bidding blessings, the members are not looking at each other, and they may have heard of some unpleasant things. Fortunately, there is a Midyear Festival every year, not this year, and we will fight again next year!
Getai activities
With the disappearance of dialects, traditional opera troupes ceased to be popular. Around the 80s of the last century, a small fresh wind of "Getai" blew from Taiwan, which became the spiritual food for the "good brothers".
Getai is very grassroots, set up on a large lawn between neighborhoods, except for the first row for "good brothers", you can sit in any empty seat and enjoy the show. star Haohao is famous by Getai.
After a month of excitement, on the 30th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, it is necessary to send the "good brothers" back. On this day, paper money will also burn very fiercely~
Of course, the introduction of the customs of the Midyear Festival is not to "promote superstition", but to let everyone understand what traditional customs are still preserved in the Chinese society outside China, Hong Kong and Taiwan......
AY丨Editor
Edited by KS丨
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Network collation data丨Image source
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