The Chinese observance of Ghost Month has entered the public lexicon, with more and more people curious about its observance.

“Ghost Month is where followers of Buddhism observe a month-long ritual of offering food and things they have prepared to honor their dead,” master Nixon Co, feng shui expert and representative of the San Fernando Four Kings Mansion temple in Binondo, said in Taglish. “It entered China through Buddhism.”

Ghost Month is traditionally observed during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, reaching its peak on the 15th day, known as Ghost Day, when the realms of the dead open and the spirits of the deceased are allowed to mingle with the living. “In Buddhism, they offer fruits while doing prayers to help alleviate the suffering of the deceased.”

He added that it was originally called “Precious Month,” which sounds the same as “Ghost Month” in Mandarin Chinese, but is pronounced with a different tone. Over time, one meaning superseded the other, leading to the Ghost Month we know today.

It is a time of ancestor veneration, with items such as food, joss sticks, hell notes (the currency used in the underworld), and papier-mache items like cars, houses, even cellphones and laptops being offered to the dead.

It’s also known as a time when human activity slows down: people are discouraged from traveling, signing contracts, and making big decisions during this time.

In 2026, Ghost Month is observed from Aug. 13 to Sept. 11, though some sources say Sept. 10. According to Nixon, this may have to do with the way the Chinese tell time. “We only have 12 hours in a day. One hour consists of 120 minutes. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. is the first hour of the day for the Chinese,” he said. “Technically, when we say Ghost Month starts on Aug 13, it really starts on Aug. 2 at 11 p.m. It ends at 11 p.m. on Sept. 10.”

Ghost Month isn’t something to be feared, but to those who practice, it should be remembered as an occasion to honor the dead. “Of course, if you expand what this means, it will mean that ghosts will come out and eat, and you might run into them,” he said.

Activities to avoid include engaging in loud activities at night, staying out late, and traveling.

“Some people, especially those who engage in business, believe that it is bad luck to sign contracts [and] buy properties [during this time],” Nixon said.

“There’s a deeper belief where you don’t pat one’s shoulders because it is believed that each person has a flame on each shoulder, so patting it symbolizes putting out one’s chi, and is considered disrespectful.”

He added that with the rise in popularity of Ghost Month, it is easy to find a list of dos and don’ts to observe during the season. However, not everything should be believed, and one should exercise discretion when following practices they come across online.

”Some [don’t make sense] anymore,” he said. “We just stick to the belief that it is a month-long festivity of honoring our ancestors for what we have today.”

Whether or not one is a practicing Buddhist, Ghost Month can be a time to pause, honor loved ones who have passed, and be grateful for the opportunities they have left for the living.