Hungry Ghost

Larva is a vampiric spirit in the Roman mythology.  It was created when a person die of a violent death such as murder or suicide while carrying an extreme guilt.  Larvae are the feminine version of the Lares.  Unlike the Larva the Lares is a male ancestral spirit that protects the family and their home.   Larva on the other hands torments the living instilling fear to the community.

The larva which means hungry ghost attacks during the night and whiles everyone is asleep.  The larva would cause you to dream erotic dreams which can give you nocturnal emission that they will carry back to their nest.  They would incubate them like an egg and it will give birth to other horrific monster.

During the ancient time, on May 9, 11 and 13, Romans would celebrate the Feat of Lemuria.  Vestal Virgins would make offerings such as cakes that were made out of sacred salt and black beans.  The offerings are made to the larva in hopes that they would accept a small token and leave their homes at peace.

Before people would make offerings, they would make loud noises in order to drive the spirit away.  During this time any type of celebration is not allowed.  No one is allowed to get married since all temples are closed, also voting is not allowed during this period.

In traditional Chinese, Yu Lan or Hungry Ghost festival is celebrated every seventh month of the lunar year.  The Hungry Ghosts (egui) are creatures who are driven by deep emotions in an animalistic way.  During the festival, ethnic Chinese around the world believe that spirits of their old relatives roam around.  They are the envious spirit that needs to be appeased, one reason is that they died because they do not have an immediate descendants.  They offer incense and burn “hell money” and wealth materials which they believe will be used by the egui to return in the underworld.

People will watch theater shows/opera and vacate the front seat since it is reserved for the ghost.  Families also offer meal to the hungry ghost during the peak of the festival.  This month is also considered unlucky and Chinese people avoid conducting business during this time.