Most of us would have heard of the superstitions surrounding the Hungry Ghost Month, which starts tomorrow (Aug 23) and ends on September 21 this year. 

During this time, many Chinese believe that the Gates of Hell are open, and spirits will cross over into the realm of living in search of food and entertainment. 

We've heard of the more common things to avoid, like not returning home too late and to refrain from whistling at night, lest we attract the visiting spirits.

But did you know, that according to Chinese superstition, there are also things you should refrain from eating during this period of time too?

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1. Raw food 

Yes, this includes your sashimi, tartare, and rare steak. According to superstitious beliefs, spirits like food that is bloody, or smell like blood, and by indulging in these during the Hungry Ghost Month, you might be inviting them to pay you a visit.

2. Bananas, Plums, Pears, and Pineapples

According to Taiwanese folklore, the combination of these four fruits are otherwise known as the "inviting you over" set. The pronunciation for "inviting you over" in Taiwanese Hokkien sounds similar to the names of the fruits, and hence, when put together as offerings, you're basically telling the ghosts to do just that.

3. Duck eggs

In some instances, duck eggs are regarded as inauspicious items, mostly due to unfortunate puns.

For example, to some Chinese, the term "selling salted duck eggs" is a euphemism for someone passing away. Another saying, referring to a person who has "gone to Suzhou to sell duck eggs", is used to describe someone who has no hope of survival. 

4. Tofu

Tofu is sometimes associated as common offerings for the hungry ghosts, mainly because it's bland and inoffensive as a food item. Some also believe that because the spirits are unable to acquire food in hell, tofu makes for a good offering as it has high water content and can be used to satiate both hunger and thirst.

5. Ice cubes

Ice-chompers, here's a warning for you. Apparently, you should put a pause on eating or sucking on ice cubes. It's believed that when read in Chinese, the characters for 'ice cubes' (冰块) can be misread as 'water ghost' (水鬼) — though you have to be really bad in Chinese make that mistake. 

You can still have ice cream, ice kacang, bingsu, or other icy desserts, though.

Aside from food, there are also some eating habits things you shouldn't do during the Hungry Ghost Month.

Many say it's not advised to eat on the go as spirits might think you're giving out food, and follow you around, or worse, back home.

You should never stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl of rice. When placed this way, the chopsticks resemble joss sticks in urns

Take these superstitions with a pinch of salt, of course.

Photos: Moretify, Pixabay, cottonbro studio/ Pexels