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Sunday, September 6, 2020

Hungry Ghosts

Oh, oh, it's that time of the year again when the gates of hell are open and  ravenous ghosts are released to wander the earth!

In case you are wondering what the heck I am talking about, you can read about the festival here.

During this period, offerings of candles, joss sticks, food and drinks to fete the wandering spirits are seen on roadsides.

Throughout the entire Ghost Month, several superstitions and beliefs are observed and wandering out after dark (more so when you are alone) is totally taboo, lest you bump into one of  'them' !

Interestingly, I noticed that starving stray dogs do not go near these food offerings in the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival —  they would rather scavenge the trash bins nearby!

You reckon they see something we humans can't see??

34 comments:

  1. Dogs are perceptive so it wouldn't surprise me if they avoid this food and scavenge for their own!

    betty

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  2. Hope you enjoy the festival, Veronica !:)

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  3. I'll feed them because I don't want to be eaten by them.

    Have a fabulous day and week, Veronica. ♥

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  4. I'm not a fan of spooky things, but we do have a trail cam and have been treating the neighborhood foxes, raccoons, and deer to get a peek at the local wildlife.
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/09/tufted-titmouse.html

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  5. I'm not a believer in non-terrestrial beings but I guess it's a fun festival for everyone.

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  6. That's funny that the dogs don't go near. Guess they sense the wrath of their owners if they would, lol. Every culture has own their beliefs about the spirit world. In not too long I share mine:) Many thanks for sharing them with All Seasons Referring to your comment two weeks ago, it's nice to be missed! Have a lovely week, Jesh

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  7. I think they can detect a dangerous sausage when they see one LOL

    Loks nice from here ⋌༼ •̀ ⌂ •́ ༽⋋

    Have a spiritualtastic safe week Veronica 😷😷😷

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  8. That is really interesting the dogs don't eat them...(queue the spooky music)

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  9. There is also in Romania, in fact for all Orthodox Christians, such a custom: the Day of the Dead, November 1.
    Then candles are lit and offerings are made from boiled rice with vegetables and roast meat, rolls, wine and boiled wheat with nuts, sugar and vanilla.

    Have a great day, Veronica!

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  10. ...now this a new and interesting thing for me.

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  11. Dear Vero,

    I remember the Hungry Ghost festival from Singapore. I have a note somewhere tucked in Facebook where I also wrote about it. (will email it to you)

    I found the concept fascinating. It's a bit like what Filippinos do post Halloween and so do Indian's but they call it the ancestral prayer festival or something - Pitr Paksh.

    So good to see the offering and it gives me goosebumps thinking how the strays won't be seen near the offerings.

    Happy Weds my friend <3

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  12. We have this month now too called 'Pitrupaksh' (forefathers' month) and we leave food for the birds in the afternoon and the crows diligently come and clean up every bit laid out.

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  13. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week and watch out for ghosts!

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  14. Thank you for sharing these details. I can not imagine a festival of ghosts! In every culture there is something related with death or dead people.One month festival is quite something!
    Happy WW and have a fabulous Autumn!

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  15. Oooo watch out for the wanderers.
    Enjoy the festival.

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  16. People are the greatest good or evil spirits. I believe in spirits, the past and death no longer exist. I only wish you well, Vero !!!

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  17. The dogs must know something to not touch the food.
    My Wordless Wednesday is here:
    https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com/2020/09/wordless-wednesday-hawaii.html

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  18. What an interesting festival. I think maybe the dogs prefer their familiar places to eat?!

    How great to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for linking.

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  19. Hmmm....very interesting about the dogs. They know more than we think they do.

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  20. Gorgeous picnic! WOW! Have a great weekend!

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  21. Dogs and other animals are always extremely sensitive, the jack russell I use to have use to sense things occasionally.

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  22. This Festival is so exotic and interesting ... In Germany wie dont have such Days for hungry Ghosts.
    Greetings and have fun with "your Ghosts"
    Kirsi

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  23. How interesting that the dogs leave everything alone! Maybe they just sense it isn't there for them.

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  24. Wow! Party for the departed ..... spooky fun. I just read your post about it. Do you also lay such spreads? Is the photo in the post your offerings?

    It's interesting to know about different cultures and their festivals & beliefs. I guess praying for the dead is part of all cultures .... its just that the rituals and approach may vary.

    Dogs have this sixth sense with which they can see spirits.

    Thanks for sharing this.

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  25. That sure is a strange and spooky festival.

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  26. Dogs have a keen sense of danger, something may be wrong around the offerings?

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  27. I really enjoy learning about things like this!

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  28. Whoa! The dogs don't go near the food?!
    Oooh! :)
    So interesting. :)

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  29. I read about the Ghost month and once saw it in one of the Chinese series as well. About the dog.. similar to the offerings in Bali which can be easily found simple everywhere, animals don't mess them at all. I guess they have better 6th sense in this area

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  30. I reckon the Strays do see something that many Humans might miss, Animals are very perceptive and in Tune with their environment and also with the Spirit World. I think Small Children are too actually.

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