Seven months into the Chinese Calendar, in this year of the Earth Dog, the Hungry Ghost Festival marks the opening of the Gates of Hell. During this time, which lasts an entire month, it is said that the Spirits of the Dead roam the earthly plane. It is customary during this period for Buddhists and Taoists to pray, make offerings and entertain their visitors from the other side. It is common to find the streets eerily quiet and empty in the evening during the Festival of Hungry Ghosts because, if you are paying attention to tradition, you are already home by dusk.

There are numerous taboos associated with this Festival:

Entertainment:

* Leave the front row of chairs roped off and empty – ghosts like to sit up front!
* Don’t play with a Ouija board.

Altars:

* Altars are for leaving offerings, so never leave a child sitting on one.
* Do not complain, make jokes or otherwise disturb temporary altars placed along the road. (In case of any transgression, be sure to apologize to the spirits.)
* Do not pick up any coins you may see as they probably belong to spirits.
* Do not look under the altar.

Home before dark:

* Try to be indoors before sunset, especially children and child-bearing women.
* Should you find yourself out at night, don’t whistle. At home, don’t hang wind chimes near your bed. Spirits are drawn to these sounds.
* Do not take the last bus. That’s the one with the ghosts on it.
* No photos at night. You may catch a ghost who’d rather not be photographed.
* Better to stay home and not travel by plane or sea and do not buy a new car.
* Do not go near the water. Don’t swim the pool. Or go into a jungle. Or go camping.
* Once home, keep the front door shut at night.

Stay away from cold places:

* Do not stand under a tree or lean against a wall, as that is where spirits like to stay cool.
* Should you become cold suddenly, do not react. Just keep going straight ahead without making a sound.
* Same goes for anybody tapping you on the shoulder or calling your name. Ignore it.
* Don’t be curious or follow strange or sweet scents to their source.

Personal attire:

* Do not leave your clothes hanging out to dry on the line overnight or risk spirits inhabiting them and entering your home.
* Don’t paint your fingernails black or risk being thought a ghost.
* Don’t wear black or red. 
* Do not open an umbrella indoors.
* High heels may leave one open to the world below.
* Do not cover your forehead. You will need to leave it open as a channel for yang energy.

And finally:

* Don’t cuss. Especially anywhere spirits may be insulted. Don’t even talk about ghosts or joke about the supernatural.
* Do not kill visiting grasshoppers, butterflies or even moths in your home. They may be your ancestors.
* Do not talk to yourself. Spirits may think you are initiating a conversation with them.
* Do not poke your rice with your chopsticks.
* Do not get married, have surgery, visit a friend in the hospital or attend a funeral.