Goddess of Mercy Temple shrouded in smoke... Today marks the first day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. The entire lunar 7th month of the Chinese calendar is called the Hungry Ghost Festival. The Chinese believe that during this month, the gates of Hell are opened to free the ghosts who would roam Earth. Some people even believe that the ghosts would try to seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives.
Food and burning of ghost money (or paper money) are offered to appease the visiting ghosts.
I was at the Goddess of Mercy Temple with the elders in my family this morning. While waiting for them, I saw this lady standing in a cloud of smoke!
She placed her handbag in the cloud of smoke...... then she took out her keys and smoked them. One by one, she took out her purse, jewellery, cash, credit cards..... and put them over the smoke. ?????Others start to follow........
Some used their hands to scoop smoke onto their face and patted it all over their body. ????
These actions really cloud my mind!!!
I'm clouded by sadness because of my son's medical problems. His abdominal pains are still bothering him and he's almost finished his bottle of pain-killers. I'm going to consult more specialists....
PhotoHunt
photohunt
A really creative and interesting take on this week’s theme.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend.
Here comes the next 30 days filled with smoke and burnt offerings floating around the air...
ReplyDelete*cough cough* must boil more liang teh to drink wor
... scoop smoke to the face???
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that your son's condition is still not so good. I hope he get well soon.
Wah, time flies! So fast it's the lunar 7th month already...
ReplyDeleteHope Jaymes is doing well. My best wishes for him.
Happy weekend, ECL & family! :)
Wah... this is exactly what happened to me when I'm in the Goddess of Mercy Temple over here. The clouds of smokes caused me to be in tears.
ReplyDeletehttp://crizcats.blogspot.com/
Different meaning of the photo hunter ideas.. Hehe..
ReplyDeleteThis month is the Ghost festival month. Take care everyone.
May your son feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI like your take this week,ECL! I was thinking of going something different but I have a lot of chores to do! LOL Btw, I hope you can find the best specialist for your son's health! I am going to offer a prayer fo him and to the whole family!~
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend,ECL!
Different clouds are always wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteIts 7th month again when the Chinese believe that ghosts are let lose to roam the earth. During this period the parents would also advise their children to come home early so as to avoid anything untoward happens. During this period of the 7th month,I do not know whether it is due to coincidence or otherwise,you will also notice there are more funeral wakes in the void decks of HDB flats.
ReplyDeletei just got back from a temple and the place was filled with clouds of smoke as well.... and after reading your entry, i realized why my mum told me to stay indoor at night, LOL
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the theme. I'm sorry that your son still has health problems. I hope he gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very informative post - learn something all the time.
ReplyDeleteSaying a prayer for your son.
Happy Weekend.
Hope ur son will get well soon.
ReplyDeleteSH
What a neat ceremony!! And as long as there's food, hey. It's an ideal party on top the fact that getting out of purgatory is a big thing.
ReplyDeleteI hope your son gets better soon. I'm so sorry to hear he's still not doing well. Hang in there. My prayers to you.
btw: i have an award/gift for you. it's here: Perfect Blend of Friendship
ECL.. you still haven't explain why need to smoke???
ReplyDeleteFor good luck or to ward off the "Hao Xiong Di"??
Hope your son gets well soon!! My cousin has the same problem since she was a kid.. need long term treatment at Chinese physician.. weak stomach.
Oh dear ... what happens?
ReplyDeleteMust find the root cause of the problem ya?
Pray that your son will recover soon.
Interesting blog. Funny that I just used the term "hungry ghost" to my sister. Hope James is okay. Voted for him.
ReplyDeleteA fascinating viewpoint, ECL.
ReplyDeleteHope your son is better soon.
What a fascinating take on this week's theme. On a separate note I hope your son's abdominal pains are sorted quickly
ReplyDeleteCool choice for todays theme.... I may have my head in the clouds, but I have my feet well set on the ground.... mine's up too hope you can drop by...Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteReally nice, and different take on the theme... sending all good things your son's way.
ReplyDeleteFirst, as a parent I really sympathise with you and your son. I hope the specialist can pinpoint the problem.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if the abdominal pains are in the region of his appendix ....
And a great post. So very different.
LOL! Great choice for today's photohunt theme... Happy weekend!Mine' sup too hope you can drop by..
ReplyDeleteWah finally am able to comment!! I'm 3/4 bald from all that hair pulling already..
ReplyDeleteAnyway.. i wanted to say that i've never seen this cloud this done in sg before but of course never gone to a temple before but when i was in a temple in Tokyo, the tour guide told me to do the exact same thing.. I got scared coz if i get asthma attack how??
Have a great weekend..:)
A very creative lot of photos for this week's theme. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting and intriguing tradition. Thanks for sharing about it.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Jaymes will get better soon. Take care.
Oh, ghost festival here already? So I take those ladies believe the smoke can protect them from the evil spirit?
ReplyDeleteI wish Jaymes speedy recovery.
Can't do away with the old traditions. You did a unique post, ECL, well done :)
ReplyDeleteI hope Jaymes will be better soon. Hugs to you both.
So sorry to hear that Jaymes is still sick.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photos for this theme, ECL.
ReplyDeleteI hope you son gets some relief soon and some help to cure his problem. Very worrying for you.
nice take on this week's theme!
ReplyDeletehere in the Philippines, we also sometimes use smokes for people who just gave birth. Also to make some trees bear fruit.
I wish your son will get well soonest.
ReplyDeleteNice take on the theme.
hope that your cloud of sadness will blow away sooooon! h u g z !
ReplyDeleteoh,that "clouding" process also unclouds my curioasity. Why are they doing so? for good luck?..
ReplyDeleteECL, i hope you find what's really bothering your son. I too find it frustrating that the specialist cannot find the actual reason of my neverending cough..i hate it ;(
All the best sweetie!
Pearl - have a good weekend. Its hot here and i'm staying indoors. My rashes has started to break out also..
Awesome clouds of smoke! I hope your son feels better soon. Happy hunting.
ReplyDeleteYou came up with a great interpretation for this week's theme! I am sorry that your son is still feeling bad.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting take on the theme, ECL.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your son's health. Hope they find out what's wrong soon, soon.
Hugs to you both
Oh, it's that time of the year again!
ReplyDeleteHope your soon will be well soon! :)
Very creative way of choosing this pictures as the interpretation of the theme...Good job my dear. Happy hunting..
ReplyDeleteNice photos as usual. I enjoy learning little things like these about other cultures. I hope your son gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the photos. As your explanation to it, it sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI hope your son will be ok soon. Take care and have a great day.
That's very interesting ECL. So the clouds of smoke protect people!
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, I'm so, so sorry to hear that Jaymes is still having problems. I know how worrying it is for a mother when your child (because he always will be your child) isn't well. I do hope things work out well.
What an interesting story behind. We also loads of beliefs that are similar to that ghost visiting.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your son. I was few months ago when he was confined. I hope he'll feel better soon.
Nice lovely photos you shared.
Great take on the theme!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful take on the theme, and I love seeing the culture. Great PH, mine is also posted.
ReplyDeleteHi dear, Hungry Ghost sounds kinda cute he he.. and I'm sorry to hear abt Jaymes. Keep on trying to find out what's the problem, don't give up and I'm sure ul find out soon enough. :)
ReplyDeletehope the specialists can find the reason for the stomach pain soon. all the best to jaymes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Nita
I started on comment 200 and am working my way up...I love to visit all these different places...we are all under the same sky..
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your son, and I hope you can get some answers!
Rambling Woods
I'll send good vibes toward your son - sorry to hear he's having such a tough time.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post, though.
Great and readable post with great pics as always - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHowever: I'm worried about your son too - hope you soon find some help for him!
i hope yr son's condition improves soon. in times of difficulties like this, please try not to show distress in front of yr son. it will worry him more. take care ecl
ReplyDeleteI think it must have something to do with the spiritual properties of the fumes and how it imbues certain blessings to those who partake of it. Something akin to holy water of the Catholics.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Jaymes and his tummy troubles. I have a similar problem (actually right now) with bloatedness but I actually have a psychological fear of going for a scan. Will pray that he gets well soon.
Now, that is different. And still, what was the purpose for everything to get smoked?
ReplyDeleteHope your son gets well soon. My prayers are with you. Have a wonderful week.
sorry to hear that about your son. you really have to seek for another medical opinion.
ReplyDeletei am really puzzled by those rituals. i wonder what they think doing those.
It must be 'holy smoke'.....
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your son, go for more checkup. Will include him in my prayers.
Your post was interesting, I hope your son gets well soon! Take care of yourself also when a child is sick that is what everyone focuses on. Kim
ReplyDeleteas always, i learned something new. =) hungry ghost festival, sounded spooky...
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