Gate of the Ghosts

TheGate of the Ghosts^[2](simplified Chinese:Quỷ môn quan;traditional Chinese:Quỷ môn quan;pinyin:Guǐmén guān), or Devil's Gate,^[3]Demon Gate,^[4]known asGuimen guaninChinese,^[5]is a pass in theUnderworldinChinese mythology.^[6]

The gate is apailou^[7]with the words "Gate of the Ghosts" written on the horizontal plaque.^[8]Legend has it that on their way to the Ghost Country, the dead must pass through this gate.^[9]

Use of the Gate[edit]

The Gate of the Ghosts plays a significant role during theGhost Festival,which is celebrated in the seventh month of the lunar calendar in Asian countries such as China.^[10]According to Chinese mythology, every year onJuly 1,the King of Hell opens the Gates of the Ghosts to allow those who have suffered and been imprisoned in hell to exit there.^[11]The ghosts have a shortchance to wander on earth and enjoy the living world. The gate closes at the end of July, which is therefore considered an unlucky month. Tradition says that people should neither get married or move to a new home during July.^[10]

Traditionally, during this time, people would worship and conjure their deceased relatives by burning money, ingots and paper candles, putting upriver lanterns,and in other ways to pray for the blessing of the ancestors. These actions are believed to help eliminate disasters and increase blessings, or to save the dead and resolve grievances.^[11]Today, the Ghost Festival has become a traditional virtue offilial pietyin Chinese culture. Inhabitants of Northern China still burn paper money during the festival to pay homage to their ancestors and express their longing for their loved ones.^[10]

References[edit]

^"File:Gates of Hell at Fengdu Ghost City.JPG - Wikipedia".commons.wikimedia.org.Retrieved2022-02-12.
^Chen, F.P.L. (2017).Marionette Plays from Northern China.State University of New York Press.p. 60.ISBN 978-1-4384-6483-1.
^Stafford, C. (2000).Separation and Reunion in Modern China.Cambridge University Press. p. 97.ISBN 978-0-521-78434-4.
^Skinner, G.W.; Harrell, S.; Lavely, W.; Shen, Z. (2017).Rural China on the Eve of Revolution: Sichuan Fieldnotes, 1949-1950.University of Washington Press.p. 175.ISBN 978-0-295-99943-2.
^Studio, M.S.W.; Li, Q.; Hegel, R.E. (2020).Further Adventures on the Journey to the West.University of Washington Press.p. 174.ISBN 978-0-295-74773-6.
^Li Ni, Zheng Mingwu (2014).Twin peaks facing each other - the Devil's Gate.Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. p. 3.ISBN 978-7-5463-4916-9.
^"Exploration of Chinese Traditional Culture Communication in Foreign Online Games".People's Daily.2018-06-28.
^A treasure trove of traditional Chinese folk culture.Yanbian People's Publishing House.2000.ISBN 978-7-80648-362-6.
^The World of the Chinese Gods and Spirits.Jiuzhou Publishing House. 2002.ISBN 978-7-80114-707-3.
^^a ^b ^cStella Ko and Georgia McCafferty."Hungry Ghost Festival: Paying tribute to ancestors by burning paper".CNN.Retrieved2022-02-12.
^^a ^bTeiser, Stephen F. (1988).The Ghost Festival in Medieval China.Princeton University Press.ISBN 978-0-691-02677-0.

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[1] "File:Gates of Hell at Fengdu Ghost City.JPG - Wikipedia".commons.wikimedia.org.Retrieved2022-02-12.

[Chen_2017_p._60-2] Chen, F.P.L. (2017).Marionette Plays from Northern China.State University of New York Press.p. 60.ISBN 978-1-4384-6483-1.

[Stafford_2000_p._97-3] Stafford, C. (2000).Separation and Reunion in Modern China.Cambridge University Press. p. 97.ISBN 978-0-521-78434-4.

[Skinner_Harrell_Lavely_Shen_2017_p._175-4] Skinner, G.W.; Harrell, S.; Lavely, W.; Shen, Z. (2017).Rural China on the Eve of Revolution: Sichuan Fieldnotes, 1949-1950.University of Washington Press.p. 175.ISBN 978-0-295-99943-2.

[Studio_Li_Hegel_2020_p._174-5] Studio, M.S.W.; Li, Q.; Hegel, R.E. (2020).Further Adventures on the Journey to the West.University of Washington Press.p. 174.ISBN 978-0-295-74773-6.

[6] Li Ni, Zheng Mingwu (2014).Twin peaks facing each other - the Devil's Gate.Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. p. 3.ISBN 978-7-5463-4916-9.

[7] "Exploration of Chinese Traditional Culture Communication in Foreign Online Games".People's Daily.2018-06-28.

[8] A treasure trove of traditional Chinese folk culture.Yanbian People's Publishing House.2000.ISBN 978-7-80648-362-6.

[9] The World of the Chinese Gods and Spirits.Jiuzhou Publishing House. 2002.ISBN 978-7-80114-707-3.

[:0-10] Stella Ko and Georgia McCafferty."Hungry Ghost Festival: Paying tribute to ancestors by burning paper".CNN.Retrieved2022-02-12.

[:1-11] Teiser, Stephen F. (1988).The Ghost Festival in Medieval China.Princeton University Press.ISBN 978-0-691-02677-0.

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v t e Chinese mythology
Overview topics	Creation myth Godly world concepts Astrology Dragons Shenmo fiction Gods and immortals Tian Pangu Ghosts Chinese folk religion
Major personages	Gods and immortals Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Eight Immortals Youchao Shennong Yellow Emperor Yan Emperor Chiyou Chang'e Hou Yi Kuafu
Mythological creatures	Four Symbols Black Tortoise Azure Dragon White Tiger Vermilion Bird Yellow Dragon Four Holy Beasts Qilin Fenghuang Yinglong Spirit turtle Bixi Huli jing(Fox spirit) Chinese guardian lions Pixiu(Bixie) Nian Horses Hundun Xiezhi Wuzhiqi Yeren Fox spirit Four Perils(Four Evildoers) Peng (mythology) Nine-headed Bird Tianma Nine-tailed fox more...
Places	Buzhou Diyu Eight Pillars Gate of the Ghosts Fusang Jade Mountain Kunlun Mountain Longmen Moving Sands Penglai Red River Weak River Youdu
Items	Gu Peaches of Immortality Xirang
Literary works	Classic of Mountains and Seas Shi Yi Ji Bowuzhi Liexian Zhuan Shenxian Zhuan Shenyi Jing The Peach Blossom Spring The Four Journeys Investiture of the Gods The Sorcerer's Revolt Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio Journey to the West In Search of the Supernatural What the Master Would Not Discuss Heavenly Questions(Chu Ci) Huainanzi Records of the Grand Historian Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations
Other folk tales	Legend of the White Snake Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl The Magic Lotus Lantern Mulian Rescues His Mother

v t e Underworlds
	Abrahamic	Christianity Abyss Hades Hell Lake of fire Limbo Outer darkness Purgatory Islam Barzakh Jahannam Sijjin Judaism Abaddon Azazel Bosom of Abraham Dudael Gehenna Sheol Tehom Tzoah Rotachat Mandaeism World of Darkness
	American	Aztec Mictlān Maya Xibalba
	East Asian	Chinese Diyu Gate of the Ghosts Youdu Shinto Yomi
	Indian	Buddhism Bardo Naraka Hinduism Naraka Patala Jainism Naraka
	Near East	Egyptian Duat Mesopotamian Irkalla Zoroastrianism Duzakh Hamistagan
	European	Norse Hel Náströnd Niflheim Niflhel Greek/Roman Asphodel Meadows Elysium Erebus Fortunate Isles Hades Orcus Tartarus Welsh Annwn Finnic Tuonela
	Others	Davy Jones's locker Hell Turkic Tamag