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o save his mother on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month with the help of Yu Lan Pen. In the Chinese tradition, on the festival, the Taoists and Buddhists would be most active at night and take many masks of animals, including snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves, and tigers. They could even appear as beautiful men or women to seduce the living. In the middle of each street, altar of incense was set every 100 paces with fresh fruits and sacrifices displayed on it. At present, only some superstitious people celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival, the present one has not been so fearful. It has not been a very solemn festival. Nowadays, the shops open as usual, and the children also play outside. The Ghost Festival is the climax of a series of the Ghost Month celebrations. Activities at the festival include offering food, and burning hell money and incense in front of the house to please the visiting ghosts and spirits as deities and ancestors. Other activities include burning and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies “giving directions to the lost ghosts”. II. Superstitious Thoughts of People Superstitions are very deeply in people’s mind. In the past, superstitions endangered the people and society. At the moment, superstitions still exist in the society. There are kinds of superstitions in people’s life. Some are accepted, others are objected. At the same time, the superstitions produce an effect on the people and society. In many people’s eyes, superstitious thoughts are only a religion belief. They think that superstitions can’t affect society, and it is personal freedom. Other people shouldn’t interfere. But some people think that the superstitions are not good for children’s heart. And the superstitions have bad effect on the society. A. Some Common Superstitions around the World · Standing chopsticks in a bowl of rice is a sign of death (To memorize the death, people stand incense in a bow or a jar with some rice in it, and the incense is like chopsticks.) · Seeing an owl in the sunlight brings bad luck (Because the owl only appears in the evening, people think that it is bad luck to see an owl in the sunlight.) · A candle going out during a ceremony means that evil spirits are nearby (The candle is very important in a ceremony, because fire is the symbol of life.) · The sound of bells drives away demons (In the old times, the Master-a title of respect for a Buddhist or Taoist priest could use bells to drive away demons, so people believe that the demons are afraid of the sounds of bells.) · A broom against a bed allows evil spirits in the broom to cast a spell on the bed (The witches often ride on a broom, so people think that the broom can bring evil spirits.) · Ivy growing on the house gives protection against evil (In people’s minds, the ivy is a lucky plant.) · It is bad luck to walk under a ladder (Because people think that on the ladder there are some things that can have their head squashed.) · Breaking a mirror means seven years of bad luck (Because people think that the mirror reserves our figure. If the mirror is broken, our souls will be broken.) · Spilling salt brings bad luck unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder (Because in the old times salt was the most expensive. If the salt is spilt, it means that the part of life is also spilt.) · Leaving shoes upside down brings bad luck (Because dead people do not have to wear shoes.) · When someone