Hungry ghost
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Hungry ghost is a term in Buddhism, and Chinese traditional religion, representing beings who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way.
The terms 餓鬼 èguǐ literally "hungry ghost", are the Chinese translation of the term preta in Buddhism which is a Sanskrit word.
"Hungry ghosts" play a role in Chinese Buddhism and Taoism as well as in Chinese folk religion.
The term is not to be confused with the generic term for "ghost" or damnation, 鬼 guǐ. The understanding is that all people become such a regular ghost when they die, and would then slowly weaken and eventually die a second time.
Offerings are prepared for hungry ghosts during Ghost month in Hong Kong.
A performance held during Ghost month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. People are not supposed to sit in the red chairs at the front because they are reserved for the "hungry ghosts."
Image from a Japanese scroll which describes the realm of the hungry ghosts and how to placate them. Currently housed at the Kyoto National Museum, artist unknown.
Ghost Festival
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The Ghost Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival in Taoism and the Yulanpen Festival in Buddhism, is a traditional festival held in certain East and Southeast Asian countries. According to the Chinese calendar, the Ghost Festival is on the 15th night of the seventh month.
Food offerings for the Ghost Festival
Chinese lotus lanterns floating in a river