The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is commonly known as the Ghost Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival. It is a day to worship ancestors and redeem the souls of the dead. On this special day, in addition to preparing sumptuous offerings, people also enjoy some traditional delicacies that imply good luck and express good wishes.
1. Meaning of reunion: Tangyuan
Tangyuan is also called Yuanxiao. Its round shape symbolizes a happy reunion. Eating glutinous rice balls on the Ghost Festival means reunion with deceased relatives, praying for family harmony and family reunion. The fillings of glutinous rice balls are usually sweet, such as sesame, bean paste, peanuts, etc., which symbolizes the sweetness and happiness of life.
2. To drive away evil spirits and avoid evil: duck eggs
The yolk of duck eggs is bright red, and folklore has the effect of driving away evil spirits and avoiding evil. Eating duck eggs on the Hungry Ghost Festival expresses people's wish to pray for peace and prosperity and to stay away from disasters. Duck eggs are rich in protein and nutrients and help replenish the body's energy.
3. Symbol of longing: taro
The homophone of taro is “yutou”. Eating taro during the Ghost Festival symbolizes the memory and yearning for deceased relatives. The taste of taro is soft and fragrant, symbolizing the warmth and continuity between family ties.
4. Praying for blessings: Peach
Peach means longevity and blessing in folk culture. Eating peaches on the Hungry Ghost Festival prays for the blessings of ancestors and wishes for long-lasting happiness and longevity for future generations. Peach is rich in juice and sweet in taste, symbolizing happiness and contentment in life.
5. Meaning of hope: lotus root
Lotus root is a homophonic word for lotus root. Eating lotus root during the Ghost Festival symbolizes the disconnection between relatives and expresses feelings of reunion and longing. The lotus root is white and flawless, symbolizing purity and brightness, praying for a bright future and a promising future.
6. Get rid of bad luck: Leeks
The homophone of leeks is Jiucai. Eating leeks on the Hungry Ghost Festival means long-term health and gets rid of bad luck. Leeks are fragrant and spicy, and have the effect of sterilization and disinfection. They mean to drive away evil spirits and maintain good health.
7. Expressing condolences: Pomelo
Pomelo is homophonic to Yuzi. Eating grapefruit on the Ghost Festival means blessing and protection for children. The plump grapefruit flesh symbolizes abundant wealth and a prosperous family.
8. Prosperous family fortune: Pomegranate
Pomegranate has many seeds, which symbolizes many children, good fortune and prosperous family fortune. Eating pomegranates on the Hungry Ghost Festival means prosperity and descendants. The pomegranate fruit is sweet and sour, symbolizing a prosperous life and happiness.
9. Symbolizing light: pumpkin pie
The shape of pumpkin pie is golden yellow, symbolizing light and hope. Eating pumpkin pie on the Hungry Ghost Festival means dispelling darkness and illuminating the future. Pumpkin cake is sweet and chewy, symbolizing a life of abundance, sweetness and happiness.
10. River lanterns to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters
During the Hungry Ghost Festival, people will put river lanterns in rivers and lakes, with words written on the river lanterns to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters. The river lanterns float far away with the current, which means taking away disasters and bad luck and praying for peace and success in the coming year.