双语阅读 中元节 Hungry Ghost Festival
【引言】
“七月半”原本是上古时代民间的祭祖节，而被称为“中元节”，则是源于东汉后道教的说法。佛教则称七月半为“盂兰盆节”。一定意义上，七月半祭祖节归属民间世俗，中元节归属道教，盂兰盆节归属佛教。
七月十四/十五祭祖是流行于汉字文化圈诸国以及海外华人地区的传统文化节日，这天通过虔诚的祭祀活动，表达慎终追远的情怀。与除夕、清明节、重阳节均是中华民族传统的祭祖大节。2010年5月，文化部将香港特区申报的“中元节（潮人盂兰胜会）”入选，列入国家级非物质文化遗产名录。
How to celebrate Ghost Month
Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations and ceremonies vary from region to region. However, there are some common practices across communities. For example, on Ghost Day, "tablets of the deceased ancestors and relatives must be displayed, and rituals of venerations must be performed," according to Dr. Wu. Likewise, popular ritual operas, such as the Buddhist legend of Mulian releasing his mother from hell, are often staged.
鬼节的庆祝活动和仪式因地区而异。然而，社区之间也有一些常见的做法。例如，在鬼节，“必须展示已故祖先和亲属的牌位，并进行崇敬仪式，”吴博士说。同样地，也经常上演一些流行的仪式剧，比如佛教传说中的目连救母。
As night falls, it's also customary to burn paper money commonly known as joss paper, along with other paper offerings for the deceased. "Paper lanterns will also be released in rivers and lakes during the night to guide the spirit of their ancestors to return to home," Dr. Wu explains. "However, the general atmosphere today is not spooky or horrifying. Rather, it has gradually evolved into a celebration of family continuity and community solidarity."
夜幕降临时，人们也习惯于焚烧纸钱，通常被称为香纸，以及其他为死者提供的纸制品。吴博士解释说：“晚上还会在河流和湖泊里放纸灯笼，引导祖先回家”。“然而，今天的总体氛围并不恐怖。相反，它已经逐渐演变成一种家庭延续和社区团结的庆祝活动。”
Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, founder of Miss Panda Chinese and author of First Mandarin Sounds, echoes this sentiment, adding, "In Chinese culture, Ghost Month is a cultural event — it's about paying respect to deceased family members and the deceased with no families. The festival centers around showing respect, instead of being solely perceived as a celebration, as some may think outside of the Chinese community."
Miss Panda Chinese创始人、First Mandarin Sounds一书的作者Amanda Hsung Blodgett也表达了这种情绪，她补充道，“在中国文化中，这是一种文化活动，它是为了向已故的家人和没有家人的死者致敬。这个节日的核心是表达尊重，而不是像一些华人社区以外的人认为的那样，仅仅被视为一种庆祝。”
Consider the following meaningful ways to pay homage to your family and ancestors during the Hungry Ghost Festival:
在中元节期间，考虑以下有意义的方式来向你的家人和祖先致敬：
1. Fold joss paper ingots
In addition to burning paper money, it’s common practice to fold joss paper sheets into the shape of gold ingots, a.k.a. gold bars, which were used as currency in ancient China. It's a fun and easy craft for the whole family — just buy some joss paper sheets and check out a joss paper ingot folding tutorial online to get started.
2. Make floating lanterns
It's a tradition to float paper lanterns down a river as a way to lead spirits home during the Hungry Ghost Festival. To make your own, you'll need string, coated paper plates, and tissue paper, as well as a paper lantern tutorial to show you how it's done.
1.把香纸叠成金锭
除了烧钱外，把香纸折叠成金锭的形状，也就是中国古代常用的货币。对于全家来说，这是一项有趣而简单的工艺——只需购买一些香纸，然后在网上查看香纸锭折叠教程即可开始。
2.制作漂浮的灯笼
在中元节期间，将纸灯笼漂浮在河里是一种传统，可以把鬼魂带回家。要自己制作，你需要绳子、涂层纸盘和薄纸，以及纸灯笼教程。
3. Create butterfly puppets
According to legend, insects like butterflies, moths, and grasshoppers are believed to be the spirits of ancestors returning for a visit. Pay tribute to these gentle creatures by having your kids create butterfly puppets using craft paper and Popsicle sticks.
4. Hang orange decorations.
In Chinese culture, oranges symbolize good luck and wealth and they're often part of the offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Spruce up your home for the holiday by hanging DIY citrus fruit decorations made from paper and yarn.
3.制作蝴蝶木偶
根据传说，蝴蝶、飞蛾和蚱蜢等昆虫被认为是祖先回来拜访的灵魂。让你的孩子用手工纸和冰棍制作蝴蝶木偶，以此向这些温柔的动物致敬。
4.挂上橙色的装饰品
在中国文化中，橙色象征着好运和财富，它们经常是中元节的一部分。挂上自制的纸和纱线制成的柑橘类水果装饰品，为节日装饰你的家。
5. Cook up some sticky rice dumplings.
Teochew png kueh, savory dumplings filled with stir-fried rice, peanuts, garlic, shallots, and more, are often associated with Hungry Ghost festivities. Traditionally dyed in an auspicious pink hue, these dumplings symbolize good fortune and can be presented as offerings to ancestors.
6. Attend community celebrations and performances.
Communities will typically stage operas and other types of performances throughout Ghost Month. Just make sure to leave the front row empty, as that row is typically reserved for spirits.
5.煮一些糯米团
饺子是一种美味的饺子，里面有炒饭、花生、大蒜、小葱等，通常与中元节的庆祝活动联系在一起。传统上，这些饺子被染成吉祥的粉红色，象征着好运，可以作为祭品献给祖先。
6.参加社区庆祝活动和演出
社区通常会在整个鬼月上演歌剧和其他类型的表演。只要确保前排是空的，因为这一排通常是为灵魂准备的。
7. Enjoy a family dinner together.
Like many traditional Chinese holidays, the Hungry Ghost festivities may include a family dinner. However, unlike other holidays, the focus is less on the symbolism of the food and more about feeding ancestors. Simply enjoying a family meal is a great way to pay tribute (just make sure you set an extra place or two at the table for the departed).
8. Perform an appeasement ceremony.
It's tradition to set up a makeshift altar outdoors in order to display offerings for passing ghosts. In addition to joss paper, joss sticks, and incense, offerings can include uncooked rice, peanuts, candies, raw noodles, fruit, and even bags of salt and sugar. Small cups of tea and rice wine are also appreciated.
7.一起享用家庭晚餐
和许多中国传统节日一样，中元节的庆祝活动可能包括家庭聚餐。然而，与其他节日不同的是，重点不是食物的象征意义，而是喂养祖先。简单地享用一顿家庭餐是表达敬意的好方法（只需确保在餐桌上为逝者多放一两个位置）。
8.举行绥靖仪式
传统是在户外搭建一个临时祭坛，为路过的鬼魂展示祭品。除了香纸、香和香，祭品还可以包括生米、花生、糖果、生面、水果，甚至还有一袋袋盐和糖。小杯茶和米酒也很受欢迎。
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