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The Ancient Warning: Why You Shouldn’t Burn Incense After Dark in the 7th Lunar Month

11 September, 2024

Why Not Light Incense in the Evening of the Seventh Month?

According to ancient beliefs, lighting incense in the evening is generally discouraged. This is because the day is considered yang, while the night is yin. As night falls, spirits and demons can become active, and lighting incense may attract their attention.

Incense plays a crucial role in Vietnamese worship culture. The burning of incense marks the beginning of a spiritual connection between the living and the dead. It is believed that incense bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual realms, making it essential during ceremonies.

However, because incense connects the living and the dead, it was advised not to burn it at night. This is because the spiritual realm is believed to be stronger at night, and lighting incense may invite numerous wandering souls.

In folk legends, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is when the gates of the underworld open, and King Yama allows spirits to return to the mortal realm. Among these spirits are those who are lost, without a place to go, or vengeful ghosts who met unfortunate fates. As a result, the smoke of incense can attract these spirits, causing the home to be filled with negative energy, leading to fatigue, illness, and disharmony within the family.

Additionally, in reality, the evening is a time when family members gather and return home, and lighting incense can cause a stuffy atmosphere in the house, affecting one’s health. Furthermore, performing spiritual rituals at night can make one more susceptible to negative spiritual influences, impacting one’s health, wealth, and emotional state.

Other Considerations for Lighting Incense and Taboos in the Seventh Month

While incense is an integral part of spiritual worship, it is important to be mindful and avoid lighting too many incense sticks at once to prevent fire hazards.

Avoid using chemically treated incense, as it can release toxic fumes and harm the energy field of the altar room. When lighting incense, ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or doors to prevent a stuffy environment.

Instead of blowing out the flame with your mouth, which may be considered disrespectful and unhygienic, use your hand to gently wave out the flame after lighting the incense.

When storing incense on the altar, ensure it stays dry and intact. At home, it is recommended to burn joss sticks instead of coil incense. Avoid inserting the coil incense into the incense burner meant for straight incense, as it is considered a major taboo. Coil incense is reserved for temples and shrines, and inserting it into the family’s incense burner is believed to bring bad luck and unrest to the ancestors’ spirits, leading to disharmony and illness within the family.

The seventh month of the lunar calendar is believed to be a time when wandering spirits are prevalent, and the negative spiritual energy is strong. Therefore, it is advised to avoid going out late at night, wearing black or white clothing, looking at mirrors or combing hair at night, tapping someone on the shoulder at night, or whistling at night.

Reference for contemplation

Frequently asked questions

In Asian cultures, especially in countries like China, Vietnam, and Japan, it is believed that burning incense after dark in the 7th lunar month can attract ghosts and negative energies. This month is considered a ‘ghost month’ or ‘hungry ghost festival’, a time when the gates of hell are opened and the spirits are free to roam the earth.

It is believed that the smoke from the burning incense acts as a guide for the lost spirits, leading them to their living relatives. People avoid burning incense after dark to prevent attracting these spirits to their homes. Instead, they offer prayers and burn incense during the day to honor their ancestors and seek their blessings.

While the taboo is widely observed, there may be slight variations and exceptions depending on the specific culture and region. For example, in some Buddhist traditions, monks may perform special rituals and offer guidance to the spirits during this time, using incense as a way to purify and calm them.

Those who disregard this taboo are believed to risk inviting misfortune, bad luck, and even spiritual possession. It is thought that the angry spirits may bring negative energies and influence into the homes of those who ignore this tradition, leading to problems in health, wealth, and relationships.

Even in modern times, this taboo is still widely respected, especially in Asian communities. People may choose to avoid burning incense altogether during the 7th lunar month, or at the very least, refrain from doing so after dark. In urban areas, community events and ceremonies may be held to honor the traditions and pay respect to the beliefs, even if individuals do not necessarily believe in the supernatural aspects.