If the living visit the dead on Qing Ming and Cheung Yeung Festivals, for Festival of Ghosts, it is believed that the spirits of the dead visit the living.

Festival of Ghost is celebrated by the Chinese around the world on the fifteenth day of the 7th lunar month.  So if we compare with the Western Calendar, that's August 24, 2010 this year. (next Tuesday)

On this day, it is believed the gates of Heaven and Hell are open to the world, so spirits can come and go here and there. People can cook special vegetarian food for their ancestors and leave them on the table set with empty seats.

In Malaysia and Singapore, a performance show is staged specially for the spirits during the Ghost Festival.  This festival is called Getai or Hotai.  These loud shows are to appease the spirits and entertain the living.  If you look for Getai or Hotai in Youtube, you will find performances in simple or fantastic costumes that will leave even the spirits goggle-eyed. 

Labels: Chinese moon festival