Culture Insider: China's Ghost Festival

People buy paper ghost money for the Zhongyuan Festival at Suichuan county of Jiangxi province, August 27, 2015. [Photo by Li Jianping/Asianewsphoto]

Taboos

According to ancient Chinese customs, there are some activities that should be avoided during the Zhongyuan Festival to stop the evil spirits from hurting you.

1. Don't hang wet clothes at night

Hanging wet clothes at night will easily attract spirits and is like setting a trap to capture ghosts.

2. Don't sleep with your hair untied

During the Zhongyuan Festival, there are ghosts hanging around everywhere, and if your hair is disheveled and loose, the ghosts will consider you as one of their league members.

3. Don't celebrate birthday at night.

If you celebrate birthday at night, you may encounter "something else" singing the birthday song with you. So it's better to celebrate at daytime.

4. Don't take photos at night

You may capture spirits when taking photos at night, and then they will follow you home.