Made in Macao | Ghost time

Jenny Lao-Phillips

At this time every year I write about ghosts. We have entered the month of ghosts, and the night of the 14th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar is when the gates of hell are opened to the fullest. So beware this coming Friday night, as it is the Ghost Festival . In past years, I have written about the Ghost Day’s background and traditions . This year, I’ve gathered some superstitions about what one should do if one wants to see ghosts. Here is how to prepare yourself if you want to hunt ghosts this Friday.

First, dress all in red this Friday night. It is believed that red outfits bring luck during the Spring Festival, but it causes ghostly possession during Ghost Festival, especially when dressed in red from head to toe. So dressing in bright red is the first step to provoking ghosts.

Second, get someone to tap you on the shoulders. Our culture believes that the “qi” (energy) in our head and shoulders belongs to “yang” (bright). Tapping on someone’s shoulders dampens their “yang qi,” so their “ying qi” (dark energy) will increase. Ghosts are afraid of people with high levels of “yang qi,” so having someone tap on your shoulders will take away your bright energy and allow ghosts to get nearer to you. Then wear some bells or accessories that make ringing sounds. It is said that ghosts will follow the sound of ringing, so with a red outfit, dampened “yang qi” and ringing accessories, you will be ready to attract ghosts.

Make sure you walk close to walls while on the street, especially in alleys, as ghosts are believed to like lingering by walls. This will put you in the path of oncoming ghosts. Then look around, and if you see any umbrellas left on the street make sure to pick one up. Ghosts like hiding inside umbrellas, so there is a high chance a ghost will be in it during the Ghost Festival.

For specific places to go on the 14th of the seventh lunar month, take an elevator at midnight and stare into the mirror. Elevators are built in dark vertical tunnels, so ghosts may come up and ride in one from underneath, especially in dark buildings. It is also believed that mirrors may catch the reflections of ghosts if you stare into them for long enough at midnight. If you still do not see any ghosts, try taking a selfie. Perhaps, if the mirrors cannot reflect the ghosts around you, a ghost may show up in your photo.

The last bus is also a place where lots of ghosts are believed to hang out. This superstition started in Hong Kong when there were rumors that the last MTR every night was for ghosts. People have claimed to see ghosts on late night buses, especially during the Ghost Festival . Macao is close to Hong Kong, so perhaps we will have ghosts gathering on the last bus as well. So ride the last bus home and take selfies on it, then see if you can catch one.

Finally, when you get home in the small hours, try doing your laundry. It is said that, aside from umbrellas, ghosts also like hiding inside wet clothes. Hanging out your laundry, especially your red outfit, late at night will attract ghosts to your apartment. By doing all of the above during the Ghost Festival, there should be a high possibility of you coming into contact with hungry ghosts. If you still don’t meet any, you must have very good luck or there may be no ghosts in the world. But if you are afraid of ghosts, avoid doing any of the above.