中元節英文有許多說法,7月15日道教徒 Taoist 稱為中元,是地官生日,為亡魂赦罪日子,故稱「中元節 Zhongyuan Festival」;佛教徒 Buddhist 在佛歡喜日供養眾僧,以功德迴向父母,稱為「盂蘭盆節 Ullambana/Yulan Festival」,盂蘭盆是梵語用來救倒懸痛苦的器物,衍生義為供養佛陀和僧侶以救苦難眾生;人們會在鬼月期間舉行中元普渡,因此中元節直譯為 Zhongyuan Pudu Festival,這個節日為讓好兄弟吃飽喝足可以稱為「Hungry Ghost Festival 餓鬼節」,另外為與西方的萬聖節 Halloween 區別,鬼節前加上 Chinese 又稱「華人鬼節 Chinese Ghost Festival」。
Taoist 道教徒
Buddhist 佛教徒
Zhongyuan Festival/Zhongyuan Pudu Festival 中元節/中元普渡節
Ullambana/Yulan Festival 盂蘭盆節
Hungry Ghost Festival 餓鬼節
Chinese Ghost Festival 華人鬼節
The counterpart of Halloween in the West, the Chinese Ghost Festival, falls on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar, the halfway mark of Ghost Month. For 2021, the ghost month starts from August 8 to September 6 of the solar calendar when the gates of hell open and close.
counterpart 名詞 n. 對應的人(或物)、配對物
lunar calendar 陰曆、農曆; solar calendar 陽曆
the gate of hell/ the gate to Underworld 鬼門;Underworld 陰間、地獄
Some souls have not reincarnated yet and must wander in this world. To propitiate these homeless ghosts, and fearing that their own ancestors may be drifting lonely and uncared for, the Chinese traditionally hold a grand religious ceremony on July 15 by the lunar calendar.
reincarnate 動詞 v. 使轉世
wander 動詞 v. 漫遊、流浪;孤魂野鬼 wandering soul/ghost
propitiate 動詞 v. 撫慰
ancestor 名詞 n. 祖先
【鬼門開英文句子】
中元節從農曆七月初一開始。陰間大門在每年農曆七月初一破曉時開啟,讓孤魂野鬼到陽間享受人們的供祭。
The Ghost Festival begins on the first day of the 7th lunar month. The gates of hell are unlatched at daybreak on lunar July 1 every year, allowing condemned souls to visit their old homes and to partake of food in the real world.
latch 動詞 v. 閂上;名詞 n. 門閂
condemn 動詞 v. 責難、宣告有罪
partake 動詞 v. 【書】分享、參與 to partake in sth.【口】吃光、喝光
The Ghost Festival ends on lunar July 30, and the ghosts must return to hell before the gate closes. It is believed by devout Taoists and Buddhists that during this time of year the gates of hell are opened for a full month for hungry ghosts to roam the world of the living in search of food, money, entertainment, and possibly souls.
While there are many festivals that pay respects to different deities and spirits, the Ghost Festival is special in that it also pays respect to spirits without any family. As a sign of respect, the term "Good Brothers", as opposed to "ghosts," are considered preferable when referring to lost souls to avoid offending them.
It is thought that hungry ghosts are the souls of individuals who have experienced an unpleasant or violent death, or who committed evil deeds during their lifetime. So, when these souls are annually released from the underworld for a month, they come back as unhappy, dissatisfied, hungry ghosts looking for fulfillment in the land of the living.
commit 動詞 v. 犯 (罪)
dissatisfied 形容詞 adj. 不滿意的
fulfillment 名詞 n. 實現
The best time for inviting "Good Brothers" to feast should be around 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. before sunset, avoiding noon when the sun is the strongest. The place for tribute can be outdoors or at the entrance of the building. Indoors or balconies should be avoided. Pack the offerings, tables and chairs as soon as possible after tributes, meaning “not to keep guests”.
People burn incense and ask for protection with the offerings. The offerings include fruits, various dishes, steamed buns, rice, soup, soft drinks, flowers, instant noodles, sycee; yet, do not worship food that has been eaten or opened. It is also expected to provide spirits with a basin filled with water, towel, toothbrush, and toothpaste to allow the spirits to clean themselves. Joss paper is also burned as people believe that this paper money is used by ghosts after burning.
incense 名詞 n. 焚香;動詞 v. 對……焚香;向……敬香
sycee/ silver or gold ingots 名詞 n. 元寶/銀或金錠
worship 動詞 v. 拜神、禮拜
gold joss paper/ghost money/paper money 名詞 n. 金紙
The release of water lanterns is another Ghost Festival custom. They are intended to guide homeless spirits to reincarnation and save people from drowning. These lanterns are placed in the water and lit on fire before they get pushed further. The further they float, the more blessings the one who offered the tribute will receive.
release water lantern 放水燈
reincarnation 名詞 n. 轉世、輪迴說
drown 動詞 v.淹死
float 動詞 v. 漂浮
There are many taboos to abide by during the ghost month in fear that it may be inauspicious, perhaps some beliefs are superstitious, but sometimes you'd rather believe it to be true than not, and respect the existence of spirits in another world. Don't provoke Good Brothers!
taboo 名詞 n. 禁忌
abide 動詞 v. 遵守、服從
inauspicious 形容詞 adj.不吉的、惡運的;auspicious 形容詞 adj.吉利的
belief 名詞 n. 信仰、信念
superstitious 形容詞 adj. 迷信的
existence 名詞 n. 存在
provoke 動詞 v. 挑釁、煽動、激怒
【十個常見鬼月禁忌英文句子】
Postpone moving into a new house 延後搬進新屋
Avoid going out after midnight 避免在午夜後外出
Avoid any weddings or childbirths 避免任何婚禮或分娩
Don’t swim in lakes, rivers, or in the ocean 不要在湖泊、河流或海洋中游泳
Don't whistle, take pictures nor hang clothes outside at night 晚上不要吹口哨、拍照,不要在外面掛衣服
Don't pick up money found on street 不要在街上撿錢
Don't share items with Good Brothers 不要與好兄弟分享物品
Don't take the last bus or train ride 不要坐末班車或火車
Don’t buy puppets, sculptures, or dolls 不要買木偶、雕塑或玩偶