A festival in China There are lots of festivals,but I feel the Hungry Ghost Festival is mysterious. The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is Hungry Ghost Festival as well as Zhongyuan Festival,Yu Lan Pen festival.It used to be a religious ceremony in India.The Buddhists hold the Yu Lan Pen Festival, in memory of their forefathers.The Yu Lan Pen aims to encourage the Buddhists'spirit,and because it is consistent with the Chinese's custom,it becomes very popular in China. When the festival beginning,a sacrificial alter,which is put on a chair,is prepared by the Buddhist priest either at street entrances or in front of villages.In front of the chair build the statue of the King of Hell Di Zang.Under it are plates of flour-made rice and peaches.After noon,all the tributes,such as pigs,sheep,chicken,cakes and fruits are displayed on the desk.Then the Buddhist priest puts on a triangular flag with special patterns.After the rite starts,with solemn music,the priest strikes the bell to call the souls back.And other monks sing songs of incantations.He threw the rice and peaches into the air in all directions,in order to distribute them to the souls.At night,incense is burnt in front of the door of each house.The more incense,the better,because the amount of incense stands for the degree of prosperity.Besides,in some places,people let lanterns float on the water.Such lanterns are made into the shape of lotus,and the lantern is held up by boards.According to the Chinese tradition,the lanterns are used for ghosts.Ghosts find their way back under the lanterns' guidance.On the festival,all shops are closed to make way for the ghosts.In the middle of each street,people burn incenses in every 100 steps far from another with fresh fruits and sacrifices.And the monks sing songs that only the ghosts can understand. Nowadays,the Ghost Festival is more emphasis on filial piety and philanthropy.It no longer has religious meanings,just a festival for remembering ancestors and relatives who passed away and for family gathering.