Spoiled for choice: A customer viewing the mooncakes being sold at a mall in Petaling Jaya. — ART CHEN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: While many people will refrain from hosting weddings or starting home renovations during the Hungry Ghost Festival month, there are no such restrictions in buying and giving mooncakes.
Mooncakes in their colourful boxes are already being sold widely in shops, restaurants and malls despite the Hungry Ghost Festival beginning on Aug 4, the first day of the seventh lunar month.
Traditionally, mooncakes are given as gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 17 this year.
Hu Yin Dian temple master Teh Woei Loon explained that early mooncake sales are a common business practice.
“Many companies are already exchanging mooncakes during this period,” he said, adding that mooncakes should be seen as a symbol of good luck, reunion, happiness, peace and health, as it has been since ancient days.
He said the seventh lunar month is actually considered auspicious for the Chinese community, to express filial piety and gratitude.For Buddhists, it is a time for repentance and thankfulness, said Teh.
“We are encouraged to repay kindness, perform good deeds and avoid bad actions,” he added.
Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia president Tan Hoe Chieow agrees that the seventh lunar month is a time for charitable deeds.
“Being in a celebratory mood is fine as long as the dates are right,” he said.
He explained that mooncakes – a celebratory treat – are not linked to the Hungry Ghost Festival, and their early sale is acceptable.
Feng shui master Kenny Hoo agreed, noting that it is common for mooncakes to be available from late June.
“There is no conflict between the ghost month and mooncakes. Giving mooncakes during this period is not considered inauspicious either,” he said.
However, Hoo said most people avoid giving mooncakes on the actual day of the Hungry Ghost Festival, which will fall on Aug 18.
During the Hungry Ghost Festival month, weddings are generally avoided in case there are “uninvited guests”, while many also avoid moving house during that period, he said.
“There will be some auspicious days though, when events such as moving house and company openings can be held,” he said.
