The Hungry Ghost Festival is an annual event in Vietnamese culture, falling on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. During this time, families offer food, money, and incense to wandering spirits with no living relatives to support them. This practice has given rise to a unique tradition called “snatching ghost offerings.” But what is this tradition, and why did it start? Let’s explore these questions and more in this article.
1 What is Snatching Ghost Offerings?
What is Snatching Ghost Offerings?
Snatching ghost offerings is a cultural practice unique to Saigon during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Families prepare offerings for wandering spirits, including a variety of fruits, cakes, meats, paper money, and incense. The act of snatching involves taking these offerings after the host family has finished their ritual.
Snatching ghost offerings occurs after the host family has completed their ritual.
2 The Origin of Snatching Ghost Offerings
The origin of snatching ghost offerings
According to folk beliefs, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a time to offer aid and alms to hungry and wandering spirits. It is thought that if someone snatches the offerings, they will take away the host family’s bad luck and misfortunes. Thus, the tradition of snatching ghost offerings was born.
3 The Significance of Snatching Ghost Offerings
The significance of snatching ghost offerings
In many places, the ritual of offering and snatching is a lively affair, attracting hundreds of participants. The ceremony is considered important during the Hungry Ghost Festival and is believed to bring good luck and fortune in business if performed correctly. However, it is crucial to conduct the ritual properly to avoid inviting vagrant spirits into one’s home.
During the somber atmosphere of the Hungry Ghost Festival, snatching ghost offerings brings a sense of excitement, especially for children, who enjoy the extra snacks. This act is also seen as a way to help the poor and needy, carrying the spirit of doing good deeds and accumulating merit.
We hope this article has provided you with insightful information about the tradition of snatching ghost offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
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