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  • Taipei's funeral parlor. Offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks, a washbin and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. A traditional funeral lasts 7 days. <br />
<br />
After the funeral rites, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Cherry, Yean’s sister (the founder of Skea which specializes in custom made paper gifts for the spirits) - in her workshop near Taipei. She’s working on furniture.<br />
<br />
Buddhists believe in the neverending cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. With consumerism taking its toll on our society, interdimensional love has also been redefined. Back in the days, it sufficed to send the deceased loved ones a stack of hell money or perhaps a slip of paper with imprinted clothing (including a scissors icon in case the size doesn’t fit). But nowadays it seems incredibly important to upgrade to fancier donations for the ancestral spirits, and furthermore to ensure they can keep up with technological trends in their afterlife. Thus, people buy all sorts of lavish gifts made of paper mâché to honor the dead, not necessarily for the wandering spirits, as those are already appeased with the Pudu rites hold for them during Ghost Month. Besides the funerals, biweekly Bai-Bai tributes, and individual death anniversaries, the peak season for producers to sell their 3D paper imitations is the annual Tomb Sweeping Day Qingming. <br />
<br />
Skea is distributing meaningful and eco-friendly paper products via webshop all over Asia. The product range includes luxurious mansions with swimming pools, entertainment stuff such as entire discos, ice cream parlors, sports gear, plus every means of transport imaginable – sports cars, jets, bicycles, motorbikes. Skea also offers imitated electronic gadgets such as cameras, or phones and tablets where even the apps are designed by Skea. There’s watches, jewelry, razors, perfumes, sunglasses, hats, the latest fashion (formal, traditional and casual dresses) – basically everything needed to dress swag and live comfy in the afterlife.<br />
<br />
Smaller presents like the latest sPhone 8plus (with 80 GB spiritual memory) is available for about USD 100, whereas an entire villa with all the trimmings goes for about USD 4.500
    Skea_Studio_Cherry_at_work7.jpg
  • Across the global Chinese diaspora, burning paper offerings (joss paper) is meant to send ancestors, ghosts or gods gifts that they can use in the afterlife (elysium). Recently, traditional paper replicas of currencies, crafted bamboo paper with gold or silver layers have given way to modern items like paper electronic devices (phones/ tablets/ computers) washing machines, cars, tvs et cetera. There’s also passports with destination to ’heaven’, imitations of credit cards or membership cards for ’Star Cups’. In designated shops, devotees may even purchase fake McDonald’s products (well, even the whole McDonald’s outlet), cardboard snacks, papery cigarettes (the brand grandpa liked most), or spirits like Rémy Matrin or Hsnenesy Cognac.
    Taiwan-Spiritual_Currency_gods_ances...jpg
  • Taipei's funeral parlor. Offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks, a washbin and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. A traditional funeral lasts 7 days. <br />
<br />
After the funeral rites, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Spiritual gifts for the afterlife - accessories kit. <br />
<br />
Across the global Chinese diaspora, burning paper offerings (joss paper) is meant to send ancestors, ghosts or gods gifts that they can use in the afterlife (elysium). Recently, traditional paper replicas of currencies, crafted bamboo paper with gold or silver layers have given way to modern items like paper electronic devices (phones/ tablets/ computers) washing machines, cars, tvs et cetera. There’s also passports with destination to ’heaven’, imitations of credit cards or membership cards for ’Star Cups’. In designated shops, devotees may even purchase fake McDonald’s products (well, even the whole McDonald’s outlet), cardboard snacks, papery cigarettes (the brand grandpa liked most), or spirits like Rémy Matrin or Hsnenesy Cognac. Usually these paper gifts will be burned as a blessing for the deceased loved one before the body is buried (or cremated). But also during the annual Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day) for remembrance. Through the act of burning, these gifts will be received in the parallel world.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Paper_Gifts-22.jpg
  • Nana Cheng, the upbeat Taipei girl and ex makeup-artist. Her followers describe her as a gift from the gods - she is the Chosen One. Although there are thousands of oracles in Taiwan, working as taxi drivers, junk dealer, or bubble tea makers, Nana Cheng may be the only clear-minded young lady embodying a rude Chinese folk hero. <br />
<br />
Everyone attending Ji-Gong's event has an issue, and it goes beyond the understanding of modern medicine. Nana can’t assist them by herself; only once she has transformed into her master, she is enlightened enough to see the invisible. Nana acts as the negotiator, solving earthly issues with godly advice, and her followers trust that an occult hint every now and then, can’t hurt. Only a few Buddhist or Taoist temples don’t offer such a service, so they feel privileged to have a master like Ji Gong Shi-Fu right in their neighborhood. For many, it’s a lifelong task to find the right spiritual leader, as there’s a rich variety to choose from. Amongst the attendees are all sort of ordinary people, from elderly to youngsters, male and female alike, a worried mother brought her child which apparently can see the former house owner (who passed away long time ago). Others reach out to Ji Gong to bemoan their neck pain, believing in the common Oriental myth for carrying an unwanted spirit on your shoulders. Some have a stomach ache or feel unease with all matters. Ji Gong Shi-Fu’s treatment varies accordingly but often includes fumigation with incense smoke and wise words coming from the beyond. At times, barging into the patient seems to help, too. In front of the shrine, an incineration oven is busy eating up joss paper, meant to compensate for the spiritual healing, thus to pay tribute to the gods. With the healing session coming to a closure, everyone aims to get their car blessed from Ji Gong, so to prevent accidents in the future.
    Taiwan-Nana_Cheng_alias_Ji_Gong-Heal...jpg
  • Nana Cheng, the upbeat Taipei girl and ex makeup-artist. Her followers describe her as a gift from the gods - she is the Chosen One. Although there are thousands of oracles in Taiwan, working as taxi drivers, junk dealer, or bubble tea makers, Nana Cheng may be the only clear-minded young lady embodying a rude Chinese folk hero. <br />
<br />
Everyone attending Ji-Gong's event has an issue, and it goes beyond the understanding of modern medicine. Nana can’t assist them by herself; only once she has transformed into her master, she is enlightened enough to see the invisible. Nana acts as the negotiator, solving earthly issues with godly advice, and her followers trust that an occult hint every now and then, can’t hurt. Only a few Buddhist or Taoist temples don’t offer such a service, so they feel privileged to have a master like Ji Gong Shi-Fu right in their neighborhood. For many, it’s a lifelong task to find the right spiritual leader, as there’s a rich variety to choose from. Amongst the attendees are all sort of ordinary people, from elderly to youngsters, male and female alike, a worried mother brought her child which apparently can see the former house owner (who passed away long time ago). Others reach out to Ji Gong to bemoan their neck pain, believing in the common Oriental myth for carrying an unwanted spirit on your shoulders. Some have a stomach ache or feel unease with all matters. Ji Gong Shi-Fu’s treatment varies accordingly but often includes fumigation with incense smoke and wise words coming from the beyond. At times, barging into the patient seems to help, too. In front of the shrine, an incineration oven is busy eating up joss paper, meant to compensate for the spiritual healing, thus to pay tribute to the gods. With the healing session coming to a closure, everyone aims to get their car blessed from Ji Gong, so to prevent accidents in the future.
    Taiwan-Nana_Cheng_alias_Ji_Gong-Heal...jpg
  • Taipei's funeral parlor. Offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks, a washbin and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. A traditional funeral lasts 7 days. <br />
<br />
After the funeral rites, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. The medium heals people who are stalked by bad luck (or spirits) by negotiating with both worlds.<br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Nana Cheng Video Caption Lowres18.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-79.jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-164.jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Lao Da Gong Temple, Keelung city during Ghost Month's 'gate of hell' opening ceremony.<br />
<br />
Legend has it that anyone who passes away free of sins may enjoy reincarnation somewhen, whilst those with the bad deeds will probably suffer a ghostly afterlife. Some outraged spirits yearn for revenge and could seize any opportunity to disturb the living, causing their death in disasters or accidents. <br />
<br />
Although the ’gates of hell’ refer only symbolically to the doors which separate the realm of the dead and the living, around midnight Keelung's finest bureaucrats and Taoist priests gather for the Kanmen ceremony at the Lao Da Gong Temple to unlock the multidimensional gateway. The heavily attended event also attracts hearty and sustained prayers from those who fear what was leashed for eleven months. On the other hand, it appears to me that all the pseud-photographers and TV crews yet betray the taboos within the very first seconds of Ghost Month, as filming or taking pictures at night might get you something captured that you didn't intend to have. Well, if this was true, all the spirits streaming out of that tiny door right now, would just have found a new home. The night closes in with playful dances of manned dragons, de facto the icon of Chinese culture, which supposed to bring good luck to people – Luck, which will be very likely needed in the upcoming few weeks when the ghosts enjoy temporary release and roam freely in search of food, spiritual cash, entertainment, and possibly some souls.
    Taiwan-Keelung-9.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offering table of a smaller family in a side street. Only in certain regions or places like Keelung, the families still worship the ghosts individually.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-552.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu Pudu hosted by Hu Shu Fen and her team of Daqing Stock Trading company. Once all offerings are arranged, the colleagues line up for prayers led by CEO Kevin, completed by the characteristic bowing.  To lure the spirits, joss sticks are neatly marking each dish, cigarettes and even the washbasin. So, food first, cash later. I’m fascinated by the fact that a company whose primary goal is to profit off short-term gains from stock price fluctuations (online), is burning a great deal of spiritual money (offline) to back its economical fortune with otherworldly goodwill. It’s like the flickering flames in Daqing’s backyard are devouring several time zones, dimensions, currencies, and virtues in one go. The whole burning procedure lasts for half an hour or so until all the paranormal cash has exhausted, and if the Chinese saying "the higher the fire, the more hungry souls are around" was true, then we’re now enveloped by hundreds of pushing and shoving vagabond spirits catching their due paycheck from eleven months. You may recall the last scene of the movie Pitch Black when Vin Diesel is surrounded by creatures making sure not to astray the light, that’s how it probably looks like here if you’d merge both worlds. The company has increased its profit for 5 years in a row.
    Taiwan-Keelung-328.jpg
  • Back alley temple during Ghost Month. People usually come here for Bai-Bai, the prayers meant for honoring one's ancestral spirits and gods. <br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. Whereas the annual Tomb Sweeping Day Qingming paired with biweekly tributes and individual death anniversaries suggests honoring one’s ancestry. Thus, countless temple fairs and gods birthdays, well, basically any random day of the year grant an opportune moment to seek protection and prosperity from the deities. Bai-Bai prayers are commonly referring to the heartfelt act of corresponding with ancestors and gods. Aside from the temple grounds, where one may Bai-Bai whenever otherworldly assistance is required, shop owners or the entire personnel of large enterprises are permitted to message the gods in front of their place of business twice per lunar month – on the 2nd and 16th. Families, by contrast, lay out food offerings and burn spiritual money (joss paper/ hell money/ ghost money) in front of their living place monthly on the 1st and the 15th. In temples around the corner, food offerings are rarely involved – in fact, if someone flocks to a temple around the corner with edible gifts at a random day, things must have gone terribly wrong for them.
    Taiwan-Keelung-434.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offering table of Chen Family. Daughter Beryl Chen came over from Taipei to celebrate with her family. The joss incense serves as a calling for the ghosts so they're invited ... after the ghosts had their share of the food, the family eats it for dinner. Family Pudu is on a steady decline in Taipei because people are busy with work and find it more convinient to participate in a temple-Pudu.<br />
___<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin.
    Taiwan-Keelung-696.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Neighborhood Pudu of a whole block.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the calling a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned after each offering ceremony with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-755.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Neighborhood Pudu of a whole block.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the calling a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned after each offering ceremony with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-758.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offering from Mr. Hong Xunqiang, the owner of a car wash/repair shop.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1048.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offerings from a car shop owner to appease the wandering spirits.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1234.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Market (Company) Pudu, led by a Taoist Priest. Everyone having a shop in the roofed market participates in this Pudu and lays out an incredible lot of offerings for the wandering spirits.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the calling a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned after each offering ceremony with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1450.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. Although superstition suggests that you shouldn't go out at night, as you make an easy target for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Month, especially young people don't want to shelter at home. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set. Within this set of ghostly long exposures at night, I've asked myself how ghosts would perceive the living.<br />
<br />
However, dodging the taboos goes way beyond superstitional curfews, and it tells a great story about the fading nuances of oriental superstition. Neither should you hang out near coastal areas nor in forests at night, because the ghosts crowding the waters or the woods scout for someone to replace them in order to reincarnate into the living world. Especially here in the bay area of Keelung with its rich history of harboring Chinese pirates, sunken warships and executed Japanese colonialists, there must be hordes of soggy, furious souls lurking. And indeed have the aging fishermen rumored they’d often hear Japanese murmuring at night – as the saying goes, the spirits of those who perished at sea are sure to possess you as they are wont to do. So beware! Moreover, it’s advisable to postpone grandpa’s burial to the following month, disregard will be avenged with a fair dose of bad luck. Well, better to hold off anyway from any creepy places like crematoriums, graves or crypts where the Yin energy is particularly strong – I had this later fact-checked with the mortician of a local funeral parlor who has currently a lot of time on his hands compared to other months. There are some rather queer warnings in regards to clothing, too, such as „don’t wear anything red, because ghosts are attracted to red colors“, or „don’t you dare drying your laundry outside (especially not the red stuff), ghosts could eventually slip in and try them on!“ As for financial ventures, it’s supposedly inauspicious to invest in new cars or property during Ghost Month.
    Taiwan-Keelung-845.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased.
    Taiwan-Keelung-658.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. Although superstition suggests that you shouldn't go out at night, as you make an easy target for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Month, especially young people don't want to shelter at home. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set. Within this set of ghostly long exposures at night, I've asked myself how ghosts would perceive the living.<br />
<br />
However, dodging the taboos goes way beyond superstitional curfews, and it tells a great story about the fading nuances of oriental superstition. Neither should you hang out near coastal areas nor in forests at night, because the ghosts crowding the waters or the woods scout for someone to replace them in order to reincarnate into the living world. Especially here in the bay area of Keelung with its rich history of harboring Chinese pirates, sunken warships and executed Japanese colonialists, there must be hordes of soggy, furious souls lurking. And indeed have the aging fishermen rumored they’d often hear Japanese murmuring at night – as the saying goes, the spirits of those who perished at sea are sure to possess you as they are wont to do. So beware! Moreover, it’s advisable to postpone grandpa’s burial to the following month, disregard will be avenged with a fair dose of bad luck. Well, better to hold off anyway from any creepy places like crematoriums, graves or crypts where the Yin energy is particularly strong – I had this later fact-checked with the mortician of a local funeral parlor who has currently a lot of time on his hands compared to other months. There are some rather queer warnings in regards to clothing, too, such as „don’t wear anything red, because ghosts are attracted to red colors“, or „don’t you dare drying your laundry outside (especially not the red stuff), ghosts could eventually slip in and try them on!“ As for financial ventures, it’s supposedly inauspicious to invest in new cars or property during Ghost Month.
    Taiwan-Keelung-488.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. it's holiday season too. Many places are empty at night and appear incredibly abandoned and spooky. Rumor has it especially children shouldn't go out at night, as they're easy victims for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Months. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set.
    Taiwan-Keelung-240.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. it's holiday season too. Many places are empty at night and appear incredibly abandoned and spooky. Rumor has it especially children shouldn't go out at night, as they're easy victims for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Months. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set.
    Taiwan-Keelung-239.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. it's holiday season too. Many places are empty at night and appear incredibly abandoned and spooky. Rumor has it especially children shouldn't go out at night, as they're easy victims for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Months. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set.
    Taiwan-Keelung-235.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1139.jpg
  • Taipei - Ghost Hunting Imagery<br />
<br />
Within this set of ghostly long exposures, I've asked myself how ghosts would perceive the living.<br />
<br />
Although superstition suggests that you shouldn't go out at night, as you make an easy target for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Month, especially young people don't want to shelter at home. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set. <br />
<br />
However, dodging the taboos goes way beyond superstitional curfews, and it tells a great story about the fading nuances of oriental superstition. Neither should you hang out near coastal areas nor in forests at night, because the ghosts crowding the waters or the woods scout for someone to replace them in order to reincarnate into the living world. Especially here in the bay area of Keelung with its rich history of harboring Chinese pirates, sunken warships and executed Japanese colonialists, there must be hordes of soggy, furious souls lurking. And indeed have the aging fishermen rumored they’d often hear Japanese murmuring at night – as the saying goes, the spirits of those who perished at sea are sure to possess you as they are wont to do. So beware! Moreover, it’s advisable to postpone grandpa’s burial to the following month, disregard will be avenged with a fair dose of bad luck. Well, better to hold off anyway from any creepy places like crematoriums, graves or crypts where the Yin energy is particularly strong – I had this later fact-checked with the mortician of a local funeral parlor who has currently a lot of time on his hands compared to other months. There are some rather queer warnings in regards to clothing, too, such as „don’t wear anything red, because ghosts are attracted to red colors“, or „don’t you dare drying your laundry outside (especially not the red stuff), ghosts could eventually slip in and try them on!“ As for financial ventures, it’s supposedly inauspicious to invest in new cars or property during Ghost Month.
    Taiwan-Taipei-44.jpg
  • Cherry, Yean’s sister (the founder of Skea which specializes in custom made paper gifts for the spirits) - in her workshop near Taipei. She’s working on furniture.<br />
<br />
Buddhists believe in the neverending cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. With consumerism taking its toll on our society, interdimensional love has also been redefined. Back in the days, it sufficed to send the deceased loved ones a stack of hell money or perhaps a slip of paper with imprinted clothing (including a scissors icon in case the size doesn’t fit). But nowadays it seems incredibly important to upgrade to fancier donations for the ancestral spirits, and furthermore to ensure they can keep up with technological trends in their afterlife. Thus, people buy all sorts of lavish gifts made of paper mâché to honor the dead, not necessarily for the wandering spirits, as those are already appeased with the Pudu rites hold for them during Ghost Month. Besides the funerals, biweekly Bai-Bai tributes, and individual death anniversaries, the peak season for producers to sell their 3D paper imitations is the annual Tomb Sweeping Day Qingming. <br />
<br />
Skea is distributing meaningful and eco-friendly paper products via webshop all over Asia. The product range includes luxurious mansions with swimming pools, entertainment stuff such as entire discos, ice cream parlors, sports gear, plus every means of transport imaginable – sports cars, jets, bicycles, motorbikes. Skea also offers imitated electronic gadgets such as cameras, or phones and tablets where even the apps are designed by Skea. There’s watches, jewelry, razors, perfumes, sunglasses, hats, the latest fashion (formal, traditional and casual dresses) – basically everything needed to dress swag and live comfy in the afterlife.<br />
<br />
Smaller presents like the latest sPhone 8plus (with 80 GB spiritual memory) is available for about USD 100, whereas an entire villa with all the trimmings goes for about USD 4.500
    Skea_Studio_Cherry_at_work5.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. The medium heals people who are stalked by bad luck (or spirits) by negotiating with both worlds.<br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Nana Cheng Video Caption Lowres24.jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-99.jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-112.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-113.jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. The medium heals people who are stalked by bad luck (or spirits) by negotiating with both worlds.<br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-150.jpg
  • Keelung’s French cemetery, on the fourth morning in Ghost Month – an easily overlooked narrow place where some 600 colonial troopers had been buried after France invaded Taiwan in 1884-85, angry with the Ching-dynasty rulers over a Vietnamese territorial dispute. Today, the annual Pudu Universal Salvation ceremony honors those who have lost their lives to the conflict and maladies like malaria, cholera, or dysentery. Many of them have been burried nameless. In order to close the credibility gap of the tribute's authenticity, a pair of lipsticked pseud-naval soldiers stands by, surveilling all the ghostly offerings including fruits, stacks of spiritual currency, and to the joy of the delegation from the French embassy which came over from Taipei to strengthen political ties, there’s even some bottles of Bordeaux and French baguettes. Aside from ghost money, two fake battleships crafted with paper mâché (each one imitating the respective nation’s navy) will be burned after formal speeches and the head monk’s blessings.
    Taiwan-Keelung-162.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Neighborhood Pudu, led by a Taoist Priest<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-618.jpg
  • During Ghost Month, many artist craft incredible icons made of paper. - The paper art which is currently exhibited in the museum will be burned during the 14th. The mighty red fellow is like the other imitation of Buddha. The dark side. He's also responsible to guard the spirits, so they don't mess around. Their eyes are still covered with a red bandana, so that the spirits don't get attracted before the very day when they're burned
    Taiwan-Keelung-275.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu Pudu hosted by Hu Shu Fen and her team of Daqing Stock Trading company. Once all offerings are arranged, the colleagues line up for prayers led by CEO Kevin, completed by the characteristic bowing.  To lure the spirits, joss sticks are neatly marking each dish, cigarettes and even the washbasin. So, food first, cash later. I’m fascinated by the fact that a company whose primary goal is to profit off short-term gains from stock price fluctuations (online), is burning a great deal of spiritual money (offline) to back its economical fortune with otherworldly goodwill. It’s like the flickering flames in Daqing’s backyard are devouring several time zones, dimensions, currencies, and virtues in one go. The whole burning procedure lasts for half an hour or so until all the paranormal cash has exhausted, and if the Chinese saying "the higher the fire, the more hungry souls are around" was true, then we’re now enveloped by hundreds of pushing and shoving vagabond spirits catching their due paycheck from eleven months. You may recall the last scene of the movie Pitch Black when Vin Diesel is surrounded by creatures making sure not to astray the light, that’s how it probably looks like here if you’d merge both worlds. The company has increased its profit for 5 years in a row.
    Taiwan-Keelung-337.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu Pudu hosted by Hu Shu Fen and her team of Daqing Stock Trading company. Once all offerings are arranged, the colleagues line up for prayers led by CEO Kevin, completed by the characteristic bowing.  To lure the spirits, joss sticks are neatly marking each dish, cigarettes and even the washbasin. So, food first, cash later. I’m fascinated by the fact that a company whose primary goal is to profit off short-term gains from stock price fluctuations (online), is burning a great deal of spiritual money (offline) to back its economical fortune with otherworldly goodwill. It’s like the flickering flames in Daqing’s backyard are devouring several time zones, dimensions, currencies, and virtues in one go. The whole burning procedure lasts for half an hour or so until all the paranormal cash has exhausted, and if the Chinese saying "the higher the fire, the more hungry souls are around" was true, then we’re now enveloped by hundreds of pushing and shoving vagabond spirits catching their due paycheck from eleven months. You may recall the last scene of the movie Pitch Black when Vin Diesel is surrounded by creatures making sure not to astray the light, that’s how it probably looks like here if you’d merge both worlds. The company has increased its profit for 5 years in a row.
    Taiwan-Keelung-411.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offering table of Chen Family. Daughter Beryl Chen came over from Taipei to celebrate with her family. The joss incense serves as a calling for the ghosts so they're invited ... after the ghosts had their share of the food, the family eats it for dinner. Family Pudu is on a steady decline in Taipei because people are busy with work and find it more convinient to participate in a temple-Pudu.<br />
___<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin.
    Taiwan-Keelung-711.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Neighborhood Pudu of a whole block.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the calling a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned after each offering ceremony with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-757.jpg
  • The harbor city Keelung has already outmaneuvered many other Taiwanese cities as ’the place to be’ during Ghost Month, and one reason for this claim is its packed event calendar throughout the month.<br />
<br />
The city of Keelung was originally founded by Taiwanese Aboriginals and, with the arrival of the Spanish in the early 17ᵗʰ century, it developed into a centre for military and commercial trade throughout the Spanish, Dutch, and Qing Dynasty periods of rule on Taiwan. With the arrival of the Japanese in the late 19ᵗʰ century, the port was further developed specifically for trade with Japan as Keelung is located along Taiwan's Northeast coast, eventually eclipsing Tamsui (Danshui) and Kaohsiung Harbours.
    Taiwan-Keelung-965.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Pudu offering from Mr. Hong Xunqiang, the owner of a car wash/repair shop.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1012.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu from a car wash shop owner and his colleagues - offerings are layed out to appease the wandering spirits. Given the amount of items, many assume that the company seeks for some extra ghostly luck.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1276.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu from Chinese medicine shop. The incense smoke (and prayers) calls the spirits, so they may come and eat.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1284.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Company Pudu from Bakery<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the ghost took their offerings, a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1333.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Temple Pudu, at Zhuputan Temple. Every year, one of the major 7 clans in Keelung hosts this huge Pudu event. This year the Tshu Clan is responsible.<br />
<br />
Originally, the Universal Salvation ceremonies were held continuously rotating from one household to another until the end of Ghost Month. Following government efforts to curb lavish temple activities, Pudu was, for the most part, consolidated on the 15th of the month. Nowadays, Pudu is often split into inviting the ghosts on the first, feeding them on the 15th and eventually shooing them away again on the 29th. Every year a different clan hosts a temple-feast led by Taoist or Buddhist priests to appease the ghosts, additionally entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1356.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Temple Pudu, at Zhuputan Temple. Every year, one of the major 7 clans in Keelung hosts this huge Pudu event. This year the Tshu Clan is responsible.<br />
<br />
Originally, the Universal Salvation ceremonies were held continuously rotating from one household to another until the end of Ghost Month. Following government efforts to curb lavish temple activities, Pudu was, for the most part, consolidated on the 15th of the month. Nowadays, Pudu is often split into inviting the ghosts on the first, feeding them on the 15th and eventually shooing them away again on the 29th. Every year a different clan hosts a temple-feast led by Taoist or Buddhist priests to appease the ghosts, additionally entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1381.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Keelung City, Taiwan.<br />
> Market (Company) Pudu, led by a Taoist Priest. Everyone having a shop in the roofed market participates in this Pudu and lays out an incredible lot of offerings for the wandering spirits.<br />
<br />
Ghost Month Zhongyuan Jie (or, to be politically correct ’month of wandering spirits’) is fairly celebrated across the Orient to pitty and support the roaming spirits. But the restless souls don’t crave for stacks of ghost money (joss paper) only. They’re hungry, too. Spiritual feeding highlights the essence of all Zhongyuan Pudu rites which span throughout the month. <br />
<br />
Temples, entire neighborhoods, shop owners, markets and even large firms are setting up makeshift tables laden with all kinds of foods (at times whole pigs or goats), flower bouquets, cookie combos, crackers, cigarettes, rice wine, and soft drinks. As the old saying goes, in case there’s not enough food on offer, the spirits may be offended, which could lead to a bad year ahead. Or worse, some even believe that if the ’good brothers and sisters’ are not fed properly, they will cause trouble for one's ancestors in the parallel world. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, a washbasin, toothpaste, and brush plus a towel in front of the offering table are awaiting the ’good brothers and sisters’ after the meal. The distinct spiritual donations thus show ghosts to be an inferior kind of ancestor, emphasizing their pitiful need for alms, just like living human beings with no kin. <br />
<br />
After the calling a lot of hell money (joss paper/ spiritual currency) will be burned after each offering ceremony with the hope that it will materialize again for the ghosts.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1411.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. Although superstition suggests that you shouldn't go out at night, as you make an easy target for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Month, especially young people don't want to shelter at home. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set. Within this set of ghostly long exposures at night, I've asked myself how ghosts would perceive the living.<br />
<br />
However, dodging the taboos goes way beyond superstitional curfews, and it tells a great story about the fading nuances of oriental superstition. Neither should you hang out near coastal areas nor in forests at night, because the ghosts crowding the waters or the woods scout for someone to replace them in order to reincarnate into the living world. Especially here in the bay area of Keelung with its rich history of harboring Chinese pirates, sunken warships and executed Japanese colonialists, there must be hordes of soggy, furious souls lurking. And indeed have the aging fishermen rumored they’d often hear Japanese murmuring at night – as the saying goes, the spirits of those who perished at sea are sure to possess you as they are wont to do. So beware! Moreover, it’s advisable to postpone grandpa’s burial to the following month, disregard will be avenged with a fair dose of bad luck. Well, better to hold off anyway from any creepy places like crematoriums, graves or crypts where the Yin energy is particularly strong – I had this later fact-checked with the mortician of a local funeral parlor who has currently a lot of time on his hands compared to other months. There are some rather queer warnings in regards to clothing, too, such as „don’t wear anything red, because ghosts are attracted to red colors“, or „don’t you dare drying your laundry outside (especially not the red stuff), ghosts could eventually slip in and try them on!“ As for financial ventures, it’s supposedly inauspicious to invest in new cars or property during Ghost Month.
    Taiwan-Keelung-960.jpg
  • Keelung during Ghost Month. it's holiday season too. Many places are empty and appear incredibly abandoned or even spooky. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set.
    Taiwan-Keelung-686.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased.
    Taiwan-Keelung-657.jpg
  • During Ghost Month, lanterns will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Master Du, Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Keelung has already outmaneuvered many other Taiwanese cities as ’the place to be’ during Ghost Month, and one reason for this claim is what happens tonight. Thousands of onlookers of all generations have meanwhile gathered downtown to enjoy the inching flower cars equipped with blaring speakers and nervously flickering lights, followed by parades, jogglers, and of course the much-adored folk art of the seven clans.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1070.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1112.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1140.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1144.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1156.jpg
  • Master Du Zhen Hao. Hairdresser and self-taught artist who preserves the local folk art of Keelung's floating lanters. During Ghost Month, his, and other artwork will be set on fire at Keelung bay and released to the sea to worship the ancestors who lost their lifes offshore. <br />
<br />
Taiwan's youngest artist to craft such lanterns shoulders great responsibility. Not only has he committed himself to preserve Keelung's folk art of 'floating lanterns', but he also needs to ensure, that his clan, the spectators, and the eventually the ghosts are pleased. <br />
<br />
Once all the artworks are eventually exhibited at the bay, some extra hell money finds it’s way into the lanterns, and shortly after the collective bowing everyone seems ready. This significant moment pays tribute to the fallen ancestors, who fought each other over territorial supremacy offshore. With first burning lanterns disappearing in the tides, Master Du hurls the sacred bamboo pole over the lantern and points seawards, his gift is ready to be taken. May it keep the spirits at bay.
    Taiwan-Keelung-1180.jpg
  • Yean, founder of Skea which specializes in custom made paper gifts for the spirits - in her showroom near Taipei.<br />
<br />
Buddhists believe in the neverending cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. With consumerism taking its toll on our society, interdimensional love has also been redefined. Back in the days, it sufficed to send the deceased loved ones a stack of hell money or perhaps a slip of paper with imprinted clothing (including a scissors icon in case the size doesn’t fit). But nowadays it seems incredibly important to upgrade to fancier donations for the ancestral spirits, and furthermore to ensure they can keep up with technological trends in their afterlife. Thus, people buy all sorts of lavish gifts made of paper mâché to honor the dead, not necessarily for the wandering spirits, as those are already appeased with the Pudu rites hold for them during Ghost Month. Besides the funerals, biweekly Bai-Bai tributes, and individual death anniversaries, the peak season for producers to sell their 3D paper imitations is the annual Tomb Sweeping Day Qingming. <br />
<br />
Skea is distributing meaningful and eco-friendly paper products via webshop all over Asia. The product range includes luxurious mansions with swimming pools, entertainment stuff such as entire discos, ice cream parlors, sports gear, plus every means of transport imaginable – sports cars, jets, bicycles, motorbikes. Skea also offers imitated electronic gadgets such as cameras, or phones and tablets where even the apps are designed by Skea. There’s watches, jewelry, razors, perfumes, sunglasses, hats, the latest fashion (formal, traditional and casual dresses) – basically everything needed to dress swag and live comfy in the afterlife.<br />
<br />
Smaller presents like the latest sPhone 8plus (with 80 GB spiritual memory) is available for about USD 100, whereas an entire villa with all the trimmings goes for about USD 4.500
    Taiwan-Taipei-SKEA-12.jpg
  • Taipei - Ghost Hunting Imagery<br />
<br />
Within this set of ghostly long exposures, I've asked myself how ghosts would perceive the living.<br />
<br />
Although superstition suggests that you shouldn't go out at night, as you make an easy target for the wandering spirits which are released during Ghost Month, especially young people don't want to shelter at home. Many elderly avoid taking to the sreets after the sun set. <br />
<br />
However, dodging the taboos goes way beyond superstitional curfews, and it tells a great story about the fading nuances of oriental superstition. Neither should you hang out near coastal areas nor in forests at night, because the ghosts crowding the waters or the woods scout for someone to replace them in order to reincarnate into the living world. Especially here in the bay area of Keelung with its rich history of harboring Chinese pirates, sunken warships and executed Japanese colonialists, there must be hordes of soggy, furious souls lurking. And indeed have the aging fishermen rumored they’d often hear Japanese murmuring at night – as the saying goes, the spirits of those who perished at sea are sure to possess you as they are wont to do. So beware! Moreover, it’s advisable to postpone grandpa’s burial to the following month, disregard will be avenged with a fair dose of bad luck. Well, better to hold off anyway from any creepy places like crematoriums, graves or crypts where the Yin energy is particularly strong – I had this later fact-checked with the mortician of a local funeral parlor who has currently a lot of time on his hands compared to other months. There are some rather queer warnings in regards to clothing, too, such as „don’t wear anything red, because ghosts are attracted to red colors“, or „don’t you dare drying your laundry outside (especially not the red stuff), ghosts could eventually slip in and try them on!“ As for financial ventures, it’s supposedly inauspicious to invest in new cars or property during Ghost Month.
    Taiwan-Taipei-76.jpg
  • In one of Taipei's funeral parlors. The last day of 7 days of funeral rites, when the gifts are burned accompanied by the blessings of a monk.<br />
<br />
"We believe that we’ll move on to another place after we die, but according to our faith we can’t take any possessions along" explains Neo, who is attending his uncle's funeral in Taipei City. A few moments later, he & his clan pay their last tribute to the deceased, whilst a detailed replica of a two-storey mansion complete with paper maids, a lounger and the latest version of a petite Lonely Planet’s guide to ’Germany’, plus an extravagant car, go up in flames. Besides, towers of joss paper follow the villa into the fire, ensuring the spirit will enjoy a kickstart into a lavish afterlife.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Taipei's funeral parlor. Offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks, a washbin and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. A traditional funeral lasts 7 days. <br />
<br />
After the funeral rites, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Taipei's funeral parlor. Offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks, a washbin and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. A traditional funeral lasts 7 days. <br />
<br />
After the funeral rites, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Spiritual currency gift - paper pets<br />
<br />
Shop of Liao Yi Chen and her daughter Liao Yi Lan, near Taipei funeral service2.<br />
<br />
Across the global Chinese diaspora, burning paper offerings (joss paper) is meant to send ancestors, ghosts or gods gifts that they can use in the afterlife (elysium). Recently, traditional paper replicas of currencies, crafted bamboo paper with gold or silver layers have given way to modern items like paper electronic devices (phones/ tablets/ computers) washing machines, cars, tvs et cetera. There’s also passports with destination to ’heaven’, imitations of credit cards or membership cards for ’Star Cups’. In designated shops, devotees may even purchase fake McDonald’s products (well, even the whole McDonald’s outlet), cardboard snacks, papery cigarettes (the brand grandpa liked most), or spirits like Rémy Matrin or Hsnenesy Cognac Usually these paper gifts will be burned as a blessing for the deceased loved one before the body is buried (or cremated). But also during the annual Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day) for remembrance. Through the act of burning, these gifts will be received in the parallel world.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Paper_Gifts-57.jpg
  • Spiritual paper gift, electronic gadget kit in imitation of real brand.<br />
<br />
Across the global Chinese diaspora, burning paper offerings (joss paper) is meant to send ancestors, ghosts or gods gifts that they can use in the afterlife (elysium). Recently, traditional paper replicas of currencies, crafted bamboo paper with gold or silver layers have given way to modern items like paper electronic devices (phones/ tablets/ computers) washing machines, cars, tvs et cetera. There’s also passports with destination to ’heaven’, imitations of credit cards or membership cards for ’Star Cups’. In designated shops, devotees may even purchase fake McDonald’s products (well, even the whole McDonald’s outlet), cardboard snacks, papery cigarettes (the brand grandpa liked most), or spirits like Rémy Matrin or Hsnenesy Cognac. Usually these paper gifts will be burned as a blessing for the deceased loved one before the body is buried (or cremated). But also during the annual Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day) for remembrance. Through the act of burning, these gifts will be received in the parallel world.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Paper_Gifts-24.jpg
  • Nana Cheng, the upbeat Taipei girl and ex makeup-artist. Her followers describe her as a gift from the gods - she is the Chosen One. Although there are thousands of oracles in Taiwan, working as taxi drivers, junk dealer, or bubble tea makers, Nana Cheng may be the only clear-minded young lady embodying a rude Chinese folk hero. <br />
<br />
Everyone attending Ji-Gong's event has an issue, and it goes beyond the understanding of modern medicine. Nana can’t assist them by herself; only once she has transformed into her master, she is enlightened enough to see the invisible. Nana acts as the negotiator, solving earthly issues with godly advice, and her followers trust that an occult hint every now and then, can’t hurt. Only a few Buddhist or Taoist temples don’t offer such a service, so they feel privileged to have a master like Ji Gong Shi-Fu right in their neighborhood. For many, it’s a lifelong task to find the right spiritual leader, as there’s a rich variety to choose from. Amongst the attendees are all sort of ordinary people, from elderly to youngsters, male and female alike, a worried mother brought her child which apparently can see the former house owner (who passed away long time ago). Others reach out to Ji Gong to bemoan their neck pain, believing in the common Oriental myth for carrying an unwanted spirit on your shoulders. Some have a stomach ache or feel unease with all matters. Ji Gong Shi-Fu’s treatment varies accordingly but often includes fumigation with incense smoke and wise words coming from the beyond. At times, barging into the patient seems to help, too. In front of the shrine, an incineration oven is busy eating up joss paper, meant to compensate for the spiritual healing, thus to pay tribute to the gods. With the healing session coming to a closure, everyone aims to get their car blessed from Ji Gong, so to prevent accidents in the future.
    Taiwan-Nana_Cheng_alias_Ji_Gong-Heal...jpg
  • Nana Cheng, the upbeat Taipei girl and ex makeup-artist. Her followers describe her as a gift from the gods - she is the Chosen One. Although there are thousands of oracles in Taiwan, working as taxi drivers, junk dealer, or bubble tea makers, Nana Cheng may be the only clear-minded young lady embodying a rude Chinese folk hero. <br />
<br />
Everyone attending Ji-Gong's event has an issue, and it goes beyond the understanding of modern medicine. Nana can’t assist them by herself; only once she has transformed into her master, she is enlightened enough to see the invisible. Nana acts as the negotiator, solving earthly issues with godly advice, and her followers trust that an occult hint every now and then, can’t hurt. Only a few Buddhist or Taoist temples don’t offer such a service, so they feel privileged to have a master like Ji Gong Shi-Fu right in their neighborhood. For many, it’s a lifelong task to find the right spiritual leader, as there’s a rich variety to choose from. Amongst the attendees are all sort of ordinary people, from elderly to youngsters, male and female alike, a worried mother brought her child which apparently can see the former house owner (who passed away long time ago). Others reach out to Ji Gong to bemoan their neck pain, believing in the common Oriental myth for carrying an unwanted spirit on your shoulders. Some have a stomach ache or feel unease with all matters. Ji Gong Shi-Fu’s treatment varies accordingly but often includes fumigation with incense smoke and wise words coming from the beyond. At times, barging into the patient seems to help, too. In front of the shrine, an incineration oven is busy eating up joss paper, meant to compensate for the spiritual healing, thus to pay tribute to the gods. With the healing session coming to a closure, everyone aims to get their car blessed from Ji Gong, so to prevent accidents in the future.
    Taiwan-Nana_Cheng_alias_Ji_Gong-Heal...jpg
  • Nana Cheng, the upbeat Taipei girl and ex makeup-artist. Her followers describe her as a gift from the gods - she is the Chosen One. Although there are thousands of oracles in Taiwan, working as taxi drivers, junk dealer, or bubble tea makers, Nana Cheng may be the only clear-minded young lady embodying a rude Chinese folk hero. <br />
<br />
Everyone attending Ji-Gong's event has an issue, and it goes beyond the understanding of modern medicine. Nana can’t assist them by herself; only once she has transformed into her master, she is enlightened enough to see the invisible. Nana acts as the negotiator, solving earthly issues with godly advice, and her followers trust that an occult hint every now and then, can’t hurt. Only a few Buddhist or Taoist temples don’t offer such a service, so they feel privileged to have a master like Ji Gong Shi-Fu right in their neighborhood. For many, it’s a lifelong task to find the right spiritual leader, as there’s a rich variety to choose from. Amongst the attendees are all sort of ordinary people, from elderly to youngsters, male and female alike, a worried mother brought her child which apparently can see the former house owner (who passed away long time ago). Others reach out to Ji Gong to bemoan their neck pain, believing in the common Oriental myth for carrying an unwanted spirit on your shoulders. Some have a stomach ache or feel unease with all matters. Ji Gong Shi-Fu’s treatment varies accordingly but often includes fumigation with incense smoke and wise words coming from the beyond. At times, barging into the patient seems to help, too. In front of the shrine, an incineration oven is busy eating up joss paper, meant to compensate for the spiritual healing, thus to pay tribute to the gods. With the healing session coming to a closure, everyone aims to get their car blessed from Ji Gong, so to prevent accidents in the future.
    Taiwan-Nana_Cheng_alias_Ji_Gong-Heal...jpg
  • In one of Taipei's funeral parlors, offerings for the recently deceased are displayed. The mourners offer fruits, food, beer or other beverage, snacks and hell money (joss paper) for their deceased loved ones. As the people believe in afterlife and reincarnations, they trust that the souls of the departed still need to be taken care of. From the day of death onwards, the mourners will hold a bimonthly Baibai at home to pay tribute to the deceased, where they will offer food and joss paper to the spirits.<br />
<br />
The deceased receive blessing in form of something they've loved most.
    Taiwan-Taipei-Funeral_Service_Death_...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. The medium heals people who are stalked by bad luck (or spirits) by negotiating with both worlds.<br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Nana Cheng Video Caption Lowres27.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who now possess her body to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Nana Cheng Video Caption Lowres14.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-41.jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-58.jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-70.jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. This year they also crafted two huge ships, too. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-92.jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-121.jpg
  • Chiayi, one day after Ghost Month, ghost dancers and protectors are ready to take the roaming ghosts in who dared to stick around after the 'gates of hell' have been closed. As the dancers, troups and 'ghostbusters' roam the city, many use the occassion to lay out their offerings and pray (mostly for protection and good fortune)<br />
<br />
This event is about the Shi Jia Jiang (patroling figures). Every July in the lunar calendar, the ceremonies hold to honor Cheng Huang God in Chiayi are amongst the most characteristic religious rituals in Taiwan. Assuming that, after all, there are still some 'brothers and sister' on the loose, the city of Chiayi on Taiwans western shorelines is well prepared to finally banish those ghostly rebels from the realm of the living. On the first day following ghost month, they release the Ba Jia Jiang (the incarnations of the 'Eight Infernal Generals') who succesfully performed exorcism of evil spirits for the emperors back in the days. Today they're revered as the gods of the underworld, representing the bodyguards for Cheng Huang (City Gods) temples.
    Taiwan-Chiayi_Cheng_Huang_God_Patrol...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
<br />
Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-132.jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
<br />
The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • 'Qiang Gu' ghost grappling ceremony in urban Toucheng, east coast Taiwan. <br />
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The contest ever was (and still is) of teams clambering over each other to master the butter greased spires which lead them to a ten meters high canopy. Those few succeeding, are trying to make it up to the cone-shaped tips made of bamboo which are adorned with ghostly gifts and piled onto the platform. The first daredevil to cut off the flag that completes the towers makes his team a winner of... a brand new car, sponsored by the county - transportation - culture - forest – and communication ministries. Believing the tales of the elderly, it must have looked way more primitive back in the days, when solid men wrapped in tribal fashion were hasting unsecured towards the top in disregard of their fairly injured and bruised extremities. <br />
<br />
Originally, the Qiang Gu ceremony was organized to fetch all the straying ’good brothers and sisters’ which after all the Pudu feasts were still on the loose. Many feared, that the ghosts may have enjoyed the love bombing in the previous days a bit too much, and would therefore rather stick around here to trouble the living than meandering back to the inferno. The saga then indicates, that thanks to the very moment when the first contestant reaches the top of the bamboo trestles, the crowd breaks into cheers and screams, and together with the chanting of Taoist priests and loud drums, the ghosts would be scared to death and vanish. Time claimed the authenticity, and replaced it with a modified version. Now, safety nets and safety ropes are in place, moreover, are cranes at the ready to pluck the exhausted from the poles. Everything from snack stalls, sacrificial pigs with pineapples in their snouts, the offering tables, the truckload of hell money, even the Taoist priests, thus basically the whole event, seems to be backed by generous commercial banks, car dealers and electronic companies.
    Taiwan-Toucheng_Qianggu_Pole_climbin...jpg
  • Pudu (Universal Salvation), Sanxia - near Taipei<br />
> Temple Pudu, hosted by Nana Chen alias Ji Gong Shi-Fu (the buddhist folk hero) who will possess her body later on to engage in worldly affairs. <br />
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Let’s assume ghosts do exist, they must all have gathered here in Sanxia today, as Nana’s team has just outclassed the services of a major charity catering. To be frank, this feast could cater easily for a whole army of hungry spirits, including all their ghostly pets. There's even a feeding section for animal spirits with some miniature paper spa imitations for not yet reincarnated dog and cat spirits. Toddler spirits can enjoy themselves too, asides from a wide array of sweets, porridge, juice, and cereals, they'll receive all sorts of fun stuff like a ukulele and a passenger jet crafted with paper mâché. These, together with the piles of hell money for the adult spirits, will be cremated later on. Unlike the smaller ’messages’, such major burns have been relocated to proper incinerators. Ghost Month was recently nicknamed National Pollution Month, because of the amount of ash generated by people burning gifts to send to the dead. Especially the urban territories of the island are now enforcing new laws to meet all criteria of 'eco-friendly ghost worshiping'. Commonly, all the food will be going either to the participants and the local orphanage, just after the ghosts have taken their share.
    Taiwan-Sanxia_PUDU_with_Jigong-153.jpg
  • Ghostly demon - long exposure in Lukang town (Changhua) during Ghost Month. <br />
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Lukang is home to many temples, old lanes and alleys, and traditional crafts - and the annual Mazu Pilgrimage, one of the most important and largest folk culture events in Taiwan
    Taiwan-Changhua-27.jpg
  • Lao Da Gong Temple, Keelung city during Ghost Month's 'gate of hell' opening ceremony.<br />
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Legend has it that anyone who passes away free of sins may enjoy reincarnation somewhen, whilst those with the bad deeds will probably suffer a ghostly afterlife. Some outraged spirits yearn for revenge and could seize any opportunity to disturb the living, causing their death in disasters or accidents. <br />
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Although the ’gates of hell’ refer only symbolically to the doors which separate the realm of the dead and the living, around midnight Keelung's finest bureaucrats and Taoist priests gather for the Kanmen ceremony at the Lao Da Gong Temple to unlock the multidimensional gateway. The heavily attended event also attracts hearty and sustained prayers from those who fear what was leashed for eleven months. On the other hand, it appears to me that all the pseud-photographers and TV crews yet betray the taboos within the very first seconds of Ghost Month, as filming or taking pictures at night might get you something captured that you didn't intend to have. Well, if this was true, all the spirits streaming out of that tiny door right now, would just have found a new home. The night closes in with playful dances of manned dragons, de facto the icon of Chinese culture, which supposed to bring good luck to people – Luck, which will be very likely needed in the upcoming few weeks when the ghosts enjoy temporary release and roam freely in search of food, spiritual cash, entertainment, and possibly some souls.
    Taiwan-Keelung-36.jpg
  • Lao Da Gong Temple, Keelung city during Ghost Month's 'gate of hell' opening ceremony. A woman is praying in front of the just opened door to the underworld.<br />
<br />
Legend has it that anyone who passes away free of sins may enjoy reincarnation somewhen, whilst those with the bad deeds will probably suffer a ghostly afterlife. Some outraged spirits yearn for revenge and could seize any opportunity to disturb the living, causing their death in disasters or accidents. <br />
<br />
Although the ’gates of hell’ refer only symbolically to the doors which separate the realm of the dead and the living, around midnight Keelung's finest bureaucrats and Taoist priests gather for the Kanmen ceremony at the Lao Da Gong Temple to unlock the multidimensional gateway. The heavily attended event also attracts hearty and sustained prayers from those who fear what was leashed for eleven months. On the other hand, it appears to me that all the pseud-photographers and TV crews yet betray the taboos within the very first seconds of Ghost Month, as filming or taking pictures at night might get you something captured that you didn't intend to have. Well, if this was true, all the spirits streaming out of that tiny door right now, would just have found a new home. The night closes in with playful dances of manned dragons, de facto the icon of Chinese culture, which supposed to bring good luck to people – Luck, which will be very likely needed in the upcoming few weeks when the ghosts enjoy temporary release and roam freely in search of food, spiritual cash, entertainment, and possibly some souls.
    Taiwan-Keelung-81.jpg
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