Zhongyuan Purdue｜Taiwan

【Zhongyuan Purdue】
Today is one of the three major festivals in July of the lunar calendar: Zhongyuan Purdue. On this day, in addition to Purdue, some places will also hold grand ceremonies, such as the water lanterns in Keelung, Pingtung and Yilan. Through Purdue and these activities, it is hoped that the "good brothers" who have suffered in the underworld will be saved and pray for the future life.

But how should Zhongyuan Purdue worship? What are the types? How come you can see people doing Purdue throughout the seventh month of the lunar calendar? Let’s explain to everyone~

The form of popularization among the people in Taiwan is divided into two methods: "public popularization" and "private popularization". The so-called "Private Purdue" means Purdue based on streets or villages. Early residents will discuss together. From the first 1st of July to the end of the 30th day of the lunar calendar, everyone will take turns to carry out Purdue according to the assigned days. Now most people will It is convenient to see the time, or go to a fortune teller to decide which day to Purdue. On the day when Purdue was held, every family put up rich offerings at the door, commonly known as "Bai Men Kou," and put a stick of incense on each dish. After the worship is over, the paper money is burned, and then the offerings are packed.
It is said that if there are too few offerings or the prepared rice is too unpalatable, you will be viciously retaliated by your good brothers. Therefore, most people will do their best to prepare rich meals for worship.

The "gongpu", also known as "miaopu", is usually held on July 15th, and the common saying is "Bai July and a half." With temples in each village as the center, on the eve of the public general public, to notify the lone souls to come to receive Purdue, they have to "stand up a lamp" in front of the temple for the spiritual call. The so-called "lamp" is a wooden pole or bamboo pole several feet high. The "lantern" is hung from the top, and the lantern is lit up at night. In addition, during the period of Purdue, folk customs in central and southern Taiwan would also hang "Pudu Public Lanterns" at the door of one's own house, with the purpose of illuminating the way for the lonely ghosts.

When the Pudu ceremony is over, the temple will invite people to "jump the Zhongkui." Use Zhong Kui's magic knife to drive away the lonely ghosts stranded in the local area. When Zhongkui dances, the general public is afraid of being rushed by the evil spirits, so they dare not stay on the scene. After the Zhongkui dance, Miaopu will be successfully achieved. However, due to folklore that the ghost gate will not be closed until the afternoon of the first day of August, so in the second half of July, people from all walks of life continue to conduct private education.

In addition to knowing what Purdue is, through the elders describing the previous July in the lunar calendar, most of the first words of mutual concern when meeting at the beginning and end of the house are asking: "Are you "general"?" instead of the usual greetings, this It's a phenomenon that only occurs this month, which is quite interesting! From sharing the ghost gate to Purdue, you can also find that "Ghost Moon" is not entirely terrible or negative to the people, but through these rituals reveals a compassionate spirit. Although the holiday atmosphere is now very different from the past, many new trendy elements have even been added to develop a new language for the younger generation of traditional culture. Whether trendy or traditional, the purpose is to inherit the culture and have more people understand it. Profound meaning behind!