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Taiwanese Numerologist Reveals Auspicious Offerings for 'Ghost Month' Festival

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwanese folk beliefs associate the seventh lunar month with the opening of the "Ghost Gate," a period for appeasing spirits.
  • A numerologist recommends specific offerings for the "Ghost Festival" (Zhongyuan Pudu) to bring good luck and prosperity.
  • Recommended items include symbolic fruits, traditional offerings like three kinds of meat, and boiled eggs, each carrying auspicious meanings.

As Taiwan approaches the "Ghost Gate" opening on Wednesday, marking the start of the "Ghost Month" in the lunar calendar, many are preparing offerings for the Zhongyuan Pudu (Ghost Festival). This traditional period is observed to appease spirits and pray for peace and good fortune.

The most important thing for Pudu is sincerity and respect. If you want the spirits to 'eat satisfactorily and the offerings to be joyful,' to have a happy host and guest, we recommend 10 types of the best offerings for July Pudu.

— Yang Deng-keThe numerologist emphasizes the importance of intention and respect during the ritual.

Numerologist Yang Deng-ke recommends a specific list of 10 auspicious items for offerings, emphasizing that sincerity and respect are paramount. For those wishing to ensure the spirits are "satisfied and the offerings are joyful," a harmonious event for all, Yang suggests including symbolic foods that represent good luck and prosperity.

Pork symbolizes 'all things going smoothly'; chicken signifies 'starting a family' and 'family reunion and prosperity'; fish symbolizes 'abundance year after year,' representing a prosperous life.

— Yang Deng-keThe numerologist explains the symbolic meanings of the 'three animals' offering.

The recommended offerings include "three animals" (pork, chicken, fish) which should be presented whole, without the head or tail removed, symbolizing smooth sailing, family prosperity, and abundance. Fruits like kiwifruit (also called "lucky fruit"), oranges (representing all things auspicious), peaches (symbolizing longevity and wealth), and dragon fruit (for increased luck and prosperity) are also suggested.

Kiwifruit is also called 'lucky fruit,' symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune, and is quite pleasing as a fruit offering.

— Yang Deng-keThe numerologist highlights the auspicious symbolism of kiwifruit.

Additionally, five boiled eggs are recommended, symbolizing "golden chickens laying eggs" and "five blessings arriving." Other items include persimmons for smooth progress, apples for peace, candies for sweetness, and fresh flowers, with "flower" sounding similar to "fa" (to prosper) in Chinese, symbolizing development and wealth.

Five boiled eggs symbolize 'golden chickens laying eggs' and 'five blessings arriving,' bringing abundant wealth.

— Yang Deng-keThe numerologist explains the symbolism behind offering five boiled eggs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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