Halloween is a festival celebrated on 31st October every year. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day (1st November) incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Allhallowtide - After Halloween Festival (31st October) and All Saints Day (1st November), on the 2nd November will be the All Souls' Day.
Halloween Festival - Good time to BURN Hell Notes and Joss Papers to the Western Ghosts and Ancestors.
Over here, You will learn how You can apply Chinese Culture of Burning Hell Notes & Joss Papers in every Halloween Festival.
To most common folks, even the Westerners, Halloween is just a night to party and nothing to benefit the Ghosts. Chinese Folk Religion and Religious Taoism have the answer to really benefit the wandering ghosts on earth and the souls in the underworld.
While the Chinese Ghosts & Ancestors have many different days to collect their Ghost Money, let Halloween be the day for Western Ghosts to collect their share of Goodies.
Ideas for Burning Hell (Bank) Notes during Halloween Festival (31st October):
Children Party - During Halloween Party, Children of different races and religions can get together to BURN Hell Notes (Ancestors Money) and Joss Papers to the ghosts. Parents and other adults attending the Halloween Party can also join the children to burn the Paper Offerings. It is a Fun Activity for Children and Parents to do together.Hell Notes / Joss Papers, Candies and Chocolates can be stuffed into Hell Goodie Bags and hung up as Hell Pinatas. Children , as well as adults, can whack the hell out of themselves with Wooden Sticks.
Pubs and Clubs - Pubs and Clubs who are organising Halloween Parties, can set up a "Hell Notes / Joss Papers“ Burning Container near the entrance / exit for the Club Goers to BURN to ghosts.
- Chinese Folks will burn Joss Papers to their Deceased Loved Ones / Ancestors during Qing Ming Festival.
- Chinese Folks will burn Joss Papers to Wandering Spirits / Ghosts (and also their Loved Ones and Ancestors) during Zhong Yuan Festival - Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival.
- Chinese Folks will burn Joss Papers to the Chinese Deities on every 1st and 15th of every month of Chinese Lunar Calender.
- In Mexico, people create private altars for their ancestors and decorate them with photographs, flowers, candy skulls, and candles.
- In the Philippines, people cook their deceased loved one’s favorite foods for a feast with friends and relatives. Many visit their ancestors’ tombs, light candles, and even spend the night there.
- In Hungary, people keep the lights on in their homes for the duration of the night and leave food on the table in memory of their loved ones.
- In Poland, families visit the cemeteries where their ancestors are buried and set the night aglow with a veritable bonfire of candles.
- In Peru, people share a loaf of t’anta wawa with a friend or relative. T’anta wawa is a sweet bread baked into the shape of a doll or small child.
- Halloween Festival - 31st October - Burn Hell Notes (Ancestor Money) & *Silver Joss Papers* to Ghosts
- All Saints' Day - 1st November - Burn *Golden Joss Papers* to Saints
- All Souls' Day - 2nd November - Burn Hell Notes (Ancestor Money) & Ancestor Joss Papers to Deceased Loved Ones / Ancestors
- *Golden Joss Papers* are burned as offerings to the Deities Level (Saints).
- Hell Notes (Ancestors Money) and *Silver Joss Papers* are burned as offerings to the Wandering Ghosts on earth & Spirits in the underworld (Souls in Purgatory).
- *Ancestor Joss Papers* There are a certain type of Golden Joss Papers & also Silver Joss Papers catered for Ancestors.