The 2024 Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival, sponsored by the Keelung City Government’s Culture and Tourism Bureau and hosted by the Chang-Liao-Chien (張廖簡) Clan Association, takes place from August 4 to September 2 in Keelung, Taiwan‘s northernmost port city.
Watch the following video on The 2024 Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival for more entertaining photos.
The Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival, which has its roots in a deadly clan conflict between two factions of settlers from China’s Fujian Province in August 1851, has been celebrated for 170 years. It is the largest festival of its kind in Taiwan and was the first to be recognized by the government as an important folklore cultural asset.
Celebrated annually during the 7th lunar month, this festival is a time for families to honor their ancestors and appease wandering spirits. It also serves as an occasion for locals to celebrate traditional culture and the arts.
The opening of the Gates of Hell (開龕門)
The Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival begins at noon on the first day of the ghost month at Laodagong Temple (老大公廟). During the ceremony, presided over by a deputy city mayor and the chairman of the hosting clan association, the Gates of Hell, known as “kanmen (龕門),” was opened, allowing wandering ghosts and spirits — often referred to as “good brothers” — to roam freely and enjoy offerings in the mortal world until the end of the lunar month.
The illuminating of the main altar
On the 12th day of this lunar month, the Taoist exorcism is conducted, and the decoration lights at the main altar (Zhupu Temple 主普壇) are ceremoniously illuminated. This marks a significant moment in the festival, symbolizing the official commencement of rituals and festivities. The glowing lights create a captivating atmosphere, highlighting the temple’s importance as a spiritual center during the festival.
The Dipper Lantern Parade (Ying Dou Deng)
The Dipper Lantern Parade (Ying Dou Deng 迎斗燈) is an essential traditional ceremony during the Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. The parade not only adds a festive atmosphere but also symbolizes blessings for happiness, prosperity, and peace for the nation.
This year’s Dipper Lantern Parade was led by the Chang-Liao-Chien Clan Association, followed by the Dipper Lanterns of other clan associations. These lanterns, representing the spiritual essence of each clan association, are beautifully carved and usually kept in the halls of their respective associations.
The Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival Grand Parade
The climax of the Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival is the grand parade featuring elaborately decorated floats with lanterns, traditional music, and performers in vibrant costumes before the ritual of releasing the water lanterns by the sea.
Sponsored by the 15 clan associations and other public and civic organizations, dozens of colorfully decorated floats participated in this grand parade. It is a visual extravaganza that immerses the entire city in a carnival-like festive atmosphere.
General Salvation (中元普度)
One of the most significant events of the Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival is the General Salvation, known in Chinese as “Zhongyuan Pudu” (中元普度). Presided over by the Keelung City mayor and the chairman of the hosting clan association, this solemn ceremony took place at the Main Altar (Zhupu Temple 主普壇) in Zhongzheng Park on the evening of the 15th day of the lunar month.
At the ceremony, a Taoist prayer is performed as a ritual sacrifice at the altar of the Zhupu Temple to ease the suffering of wandering souls. Through offerings, the recitation of sutras, and prayers for the deceased, the goal is to comfort these spirits, helping them find peace and transition to the afterlife.
Releasing of the Water Lanterns (放水燈)
Immediately after the parade on the evening of the 14th day of the ghost month, the intricately designed house-shaped water lanterns are carried to the seashore on the outskirts of Keelung to float out to sea.
The Releasing of the Water Lanterns is one of the most visually stunning and spiritually significant events of the Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. This ritual involves launching intricately crafted lanterns onto the water, each carrying offerings and prayers for the souls of the departed.
These lanterns are believed to guide wandering spirits, or “good brothers,” back to the afterlife, ensuring they find peace and no longer linger in the mortal world. As the lanterns drift along the water, accompanied by the glow of fireworks, the scene creates a serene yet powerful spectacle, symbolizing the connection between the living and the spiritual realms.
Closing the Gates of Hell (關龕門)
Held at the end of the seventh lunar month, this ceremony held at Laodagong Temple marks the end of the festival. During the ritual, the Gates of Hell, which were opened at the beginning of the festival to allow wandering spirits to enter the mortal world, are symbolically closed. This act signifies the return of the spirits to the afterlife and brings a sense of closure and peace to both the living and the deceased. The ceremony is a solemn and respectful moment that underscores the deep spiritual significance of the Keelung Mid-summer Ghost Festival.
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