Ghost month begins Sunday, August 4th, the first day of the seventh lunar month. Commonly known as guiyue in Taiwan, this taboo month represents an opening of the gates of hell for the souls of the deceased to pass through and cross into the world of sentient beings.
Among the oldest and most important of ceremonies in the Chinese calendar, the festival emphasizes universal compassion and observes many practices that allow for some relief to the dead. Rituals to counteract evil include preparing an array of food, drink, and other offerings for hungry ghosts to be transformed and released of suffering.
Ghost month will end after four weeks on September 2nd, when the gates of hell will close, thereby summoning anguished spirits to once again return to the underworld. During this month, believers are encouraged to maintain bonds of respect and unity with family and community, and discouraged from burning paper money and other gifts.