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.

5. Don't say the word "ghost"

The ghosts are everywhere during Zhongyuan Festival, so it's better and safer to not say the word "ghost", and also don't say other improper words, in case they decide to take revenge on you.

6. Don't step on paper ghost money

The paper ghost money is sacrifice for spirits, and ghosts are always gathering around the money. If you step on their money, they will be angry and may harm you.

7. Don't pat other people's shoulders

The folklore believes that there are three bunches of fire on each person, head and two shoulders, to avoid evil spirits. If you pat other people's shoulder, you may make their protective fire die out.

8. Be careful in turning your head

If you are walking in forest or a sparsely populated area, and if you hear someone calling you, don't turn around, you may see something scary.

During the Ghost Festival, just go home early and try to have a vegetarian diet.