• Chinese idols are seen at the back stage of a makeshift theatre during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong on August 11, 2014.
    Chinese idols are seen at the back stage of a makeshift theatre during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong on August 11, 2014.
  • According to custom, the hungry spirits need to be appeased, so ethnic Chinese around the world offer prayers to their deceased relatives along with joss sticks, or incense.
    According to custom, the hungry spirits need to be appeased, so ethnic Chinese around the world offer prayers to their deceased relatives along with joss sticks, or incense.
  • An elderly collects counterfeit ancient coins from an altar, which are representing gold coins to ward off evil spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong.
    An elderly collects counterfeit ancient coins from an altar, which are representing gold coins to ward off evil spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong.
  • They also burn mock currency known as ‘hell money’ and other paper copies of material wealth such as TV sets, mobile phones and even iPads and iPhones, which the ghosts use when they return to the underworld.
    They also burn mock currency known as ‘hell money’ and other paper copies of material wealth such as TV sets, mobile phones and even iPads and iPhones, which the ghosts use when they return to the underworld.
  • A woman burns incense at a makeshift altar.
    A woman burns incense at a makeshift altar.
  • Neighbourhoods hold nightly shows of shrill Chinese operas and pop concerts, with the front rows of seats always empty – reserved for the ghosts. An elderly crowd gathers to watch the Chinese opera performance at a makeshift theatre.
    Neighbourhoods hold nightly shows of shrill Chinese operas and pop concerts, with the front rows of seats always empty – reserved for the ghosts. An elderly crowd gathers to watch the Chinese opera performance at a makeshift theatre.
  • The shows are accompanied by extravagant feasts of grilled pork, broiled chicken, rice and fruit. The offerings are made in the hope that the spirits will help them find good jobs, earn good grades or even with the lottery.
    The shows are accompanied by extravagant feasts of grilled pork, broiled chicken, rice and fruit. The offerings are made in the hope that the spirits will help them find good jobs, earn good grades or even with the lottery.
  • The shows are accompanied by extravagant feasts of grilled pork, broiled chicken, rice and fruit. The offerings are made in the hope that the spirits will help them find good jobs, earn good grades or even with the lottery.
    The shows are accompanied by extravagant feasts of grilled pork, broiled chicken, rice and fruit. The offerings are made in the hope that the spirits will help them find good jobs, earn good grades or even with the lottery.

World

In pictures: Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong

Julie Nicholson

August 25, 2014

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Countless hungry and restless ghosts are roaming Hong Kong – and the world – to visit their living ancestors, at least according to Chinese convention.

In traditional Chinese belief, the seventh month of the lunar year is reserved for the Hungry Ghost festival, or Yu Lan, a raucous celebration marked by feasts and music. This year, the festival began on August 10. According to folklore, the ghosts who wander the physical world are ravenous and envious after dying without descendants or because they were not venerated by relatives who are still alive.

Here’s a gallery of images from this year’s Hungry Ghost Festival by AP photographer Vincent Yu.

Hong Kong