The seventh lunar month, often referred to as the “Hungry Ghost Month,” is a time when many superstitions and taboos are observed to ward off bad luck. One of these superstitions revolves around certain foods that are believed to bring misfortune if consumed during this period. Here is a list of seven foods to avoid during the Hungry Ghost Month, along with some alternative options to bring good fortune.
1 Foods to Avoid During the Hungry Ghost Month
Plain Congee
Plain congee, also known as cháo trắng, is a simple dish of rice porridge that is commonly offered to hungry ghosts during the month’s rituals. It is believed that consuming this dish during the seventh lunar month will invite the wrath of the ghosts, who may see it as a sign of disrespect or greed. Superstition dictates that eating plain congee during this time may lead to disturbances and bad luck in your life.
Plain Congee
Duck Meat
Duck is a popular and beloved meat dish, but it is best avoided during the Hungry Ghost Month. Some believe that consuming duck meat during this period will attract bad luck and may even lead to the breakdown of relationships or partnerships. It is thought to bring about a “scattering” of good fortune and harmony.
Duck Meat
Black-Spotted Garfish
The black-spotted garfish, or cá mè, is considered taboo not just during the Hungry Ghost Month but also during the beginning of the year and the start of each month. The word “mè” is believed to be related to the phrase “mè nheo,” which connotes quarreling or nagging. Consuming this fish is thought to invite trouble and disputes. Additionally, the black-spotted garfish is known for its numerous bones and stronger fishy odor compared to other fish.
Black-Spotted Garfish
Dog Meat
Dog meat is a controversial dish that is considered a delicacy by some. However, it is generally advised to avoid consuming it during the Hungry Ghost Month, as well as at the beginning of the year or month. This belief stems from the idiom “đen như mõm chó,” which translates to “as black as a dog’s muzzle.” Eating dog meat is thought to bring about a month of bad luck and misfortune.
Dog Meat
Squid
While squid is a delicious and nutritious seafood option, it is often avoided during the Hungry Ghost Month due to its association with the color black. The ink sac of the squid gives it a distinct dark color, and consuming it is believed to bring about bad luck and misfortune, with the idiom “đen như mực” (“as black as ink”) serving as a warning. People with important tasks or those embarking on long journeys are especially advised against eating squid during this time.
Squid
Balut
Balut, or trứng vịt lộn, is a popular delicacy, especially among the youth. However, in the northern and central regions of Vietnam, it is rarely consumed at the start of the year, month, or during the Hungry Ghost Month. Superstition holds that eating balut during these periods will lead to disruptions and unexpected twists in planned endeavors.
Balut
Fruits: Durian, Orange, Pear, Banana, etc.
Certain fruits are believed to bring about loneliness and sadness if consumed during the Hungry Ghost Month. Durian, with its strong odor, is thought to attract ghosts and spirits into the home. Meanwhile, oranges, pears, and bananas are associated with idioms that suggest misfortune: “quýt làm, cam chịu” (“you get what you deserve”), “lê lết” (“to crawl or drag oneself”), and “trượt vỏ chuối” (“to slip on a banana peel”). It is advised to refrain from eating these fruits during the seventh lunar month.
Fruits: Durian, Orange, Pear, Banana, etc.
2 Foods to Embrace During the Hungry Ghost Month
While there are several foods to avoid during the seventh lunar month, there are also a few dishes that are believed to bring good fortune and ward off negative energy.
Foods with warming properties, such as , , prepared with spices like , , , are considered beneficial during this time. It is believed that the warming nature of these dishes helps dispel the cold and yin energies associated with the Hungry Ghost Month.
Warming Dishes for the Hungry Ghost Month
*This article is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as factual information.
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