Macau Festival, the atmosphere is very secretive

China News Agency reporters have a long history

Lunar July fourteen is the festival, also known as the ghost festival. Macau is one of the few areas in China that retains this custom. In fact, July 15 is just a day, so the festival called "Mid-Autumn Festival".

A few days before and after this festival, many people in the streets of Macao lit their incense candles in front of them and burned gold and silver clothing pieces. There were flashes of light and smog everywhere. The atmosphere was very secretive.

Sacrifices, every family to rice, roast duck, tofu, fruit and other sacrifices put out, so that "wandering soul hungry" food full. The climax is money-laundering. In the 1920s and 1930s, copper coins were ceded. In the 1950s and 1960s, there was one cents coin. Now some people scatter a dollar coin. It seems that the underworld is facing the same problem of inflation.

On the origin of the ghost festival, the story of the legendary Lord Hell's mother came to the government after his death, was imprisoned in the cell by the 18 layers of hell torture, Prince Yan is a filial son, see the mother could not bear the heart of sin in July 15 this In the end, the devil in the jail cell secretly opened the cell door and put his mother out. Who knows, it does not matter if the cell door is open, and the devils in the cell rush to the earth, so there will be a "half-moon in July, Ghost chaos "said. Those ghosts who ran back to their hometown have asked for money from their families in order to go back to life and get through the joints and hope for an early surrender. Later, people set this day as a ghost festival.

As time goes by, the connotation of the Bon Conservancy also evolves. This ceremony was held on July 15 and is now the lunar month of July. There is no loneliness in the world. Enjoy the "holiday" and go to the "free walk" in the sun. Therefore, it is not always possible to burn the street clothes on the 14th and 15th days starting from the first day of July. This scenario can be seen everywhere in Macao.

Reporter in the new port London Street to see Aunt Deng is burning paper, she is devoutly remembered. The worship is completed, the reporter chatted with Aunt Deng. She said: "I do not believe any ghost in the world. Today, burning paper money is nothing more than recollecting ancestors and pray for peace."

Aunt Deng also told reporters that due to inflation and other reasons, this year's clothing, meditation, fruit, tofu and other things are expensive two percent. However, in order to express its sincerity to deceased ancestors, even if the province is re-saved, money for "burning clothes" can not be saved and can only be forced to accept.

In addition, the festival also caused a lot of social problems. In the past, a lot of fires in Hong Kong caused a small fire in the streets, causing firefighters to go on a busy schedule and endanger public safety. In each year before the Hombus Day, the Macao Fire Station appeals to residents to call after they have burned their own street clothes. Some residents also did not clean up their sacrifices and ashes after their worship, affecting street sanitation.

Reporters thought that the world had no spirits, folk customs no matter how secretive, are entrusted with the good wishes. Whether slaughtering slaughtered chicken or burning incense burning paper money, nothing more than to reclaim their ancestors, pray for peace, it is human spontaneity, is an extension of the feelings is the most basic belief.

These traditional festivals and activities show that: life is alive, we must cherish every day of living, do not be ashamed of society, do not be ashamed of their relatives who have left. In this way, the people's heart can satisfy their balance, and their life can be safe and happy so that society can be in stable harmony. (Finish)