Taiwan observes Zhongyuan Festival with traditional rituals and safety measures

The Zhongyuan Festival, a traditional folk custom observed during the seventh lunar month, is being marked in Taiwan through a blend of ancient rituals and modern safety and cultural initiatives.

In Chiayi, the festival features the “lunpu” tradition, where market vendors and temples coordinate ceremonies. The Chiayi City God Temple has introduced stamp collection activities to engage younger generations in local history and craftsmanship. Similarly, in Keelung, the “Jilong Zhongyuan Festival” continues a 170-year tradition of rotating host surnames and releasing “water lanterns” into the sea to honor ancestors.

To mitigate fire risks associated with burning ritual paper, the Changhua County Fire Bureau is promoting “merit instead of money” practices, encouraging citizens to perform charitable acts rather than burning paper. Authorities are also providing centralized collection services for ritual ash and paper. Safety guidelines emphasize using dedicated furnaces, maintaining distance from flammable materials, and ensuring all embers are fully extinguished to prevent residential fires.