The Chinese believe that the ‘gates of hell’ close again and the ghosts will be forced to return to their realm.
Taiwan News
Date:2017/09/04
By: Juvina Lai,Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – During the Hungry Ghost month it is common to see Chinese
Hungry Ghost Festival Getai Show at Hougang Ave 5. [First row of seats at getai shows are reserved for invisible guests.]
During these shows and performances, none of the audience will be brave enough to sit on the front row as the seats are considered to be reserved for the “good brothers” (好兄弟), which is a polite way of referring to the ghosts.
According to Chinese mythology, the gates of hell open during the Hungry Ghost month and they roam around the world of the living in search of entertainment, food, and possibly souls, but when the gates of hell close these ghosts have to go back to their realm. Therefore, no one dares to offend the ‘good brothers’ when they are free and roaming around, treating themselves with food and entertainment everywhere.
In Penang, Malaysia nearly every temple with Chinese association holds nightly shows and performances as it is customary to entertain ghosts while they feast on the offerings. [FULL STORY]
