Ghost Month

Taiwanese people believe that ghosts leave the underworld for one month everyyear. To ensure that these ghosts are happy and do not bother them, Taiwanesepeople observe certain traditions during “Ghost Month.” This festival takesplace in July on the lunar calendar. Ghost Month is a time when families prayfor the ghosts of their ancestors. They will also leave food out to feed any “hungry ghosts” that might wander by.

Taiwanese people will also burn specially printed ghost money to make sure that their ancestors are comfortable in the afterlife. All in all, Ghost Month is seen as an unlucky time of year. Because of this, very few people get married, move into a new house, or open a business during this month. Going near water is also forbidden, because the wandering ghosts may drag you under to replace them, so that they can have another chance at life.

The Moon Festival

The last major event of the year is the Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. This festival takes place on the 15th of August on the lunar calendar. On the night of the full moon people get together with their family and eat “moon cakes” and pomelos. Since the festival is in honor of the moon, families often look up at the moon together.

There are many different Chinese and Taiwanese legends about the moon. While Westerners may mention a man on the moon, Taiwanese people will talk about a woman called Chang-e 嫦娥 or the Jade Rabbit. Over time, it has become popular for people to give moon cakes to their relatives and friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditional moon cakes are made using egg yolks and flour. However, nowadays moon cakes come in many different flavors, including almond, chocolate, and pineapple. Some even come filled with ice cream!

鬼月

台灣人相信鬼魂每年會離開陰間一個月。為了確保這些鬼魂開開心心、別來找他們麻煩，台灣人在 「鬼月」會遵守某些傳統。這個節日是在農曆的7 月。家人在鬼月會祭拜祖先的鬼魂。他們也會在戶外擺設祭品，讓路過的「餓鬼」享用。

台灣人也會焚燒特別印製的紙錢，好讓祖先在來世過得舒服。總而言之，鬼月被視為是一年中不吉利的時候。因為這樣，大家會避免在這個月裡結婚、搬家或開店。靠近水邊也是不可以的，因為遊魂可能會把你拖下去當替死鬼，好為他們換取投胎的機會。

中秋節

一年中最後一個重要節日是「月亮節」，也就是「中秋節」。這個節日是農曆的8 月15 日。在月圓 這一夜，闔家齊聚吃「月餅」和文旦。這個節日是為了向月亮致敬，因此全家人會一起賞月。

中國和台灣流傳著各種關於月亮的傳說。西方人可能會談論月亮上的男人，台灣人則會提到一位名叫嫦娥的女子或是玉兔。長久以來，人們就流行在中秋節時以月餅致贈親朋好友。傳統的月餅是以蛋黃和麵粉做成，然而，現在的月餅則有多種口味，像是杏仁、巧克力和鳳梨口味。甚至還有包冰淇淋的呢！