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Mid-Year Festival Ancestor Worship The Mid-Year Festival (Zhongyuan Festival) ancestor worship is an important ritual in traditional folk customs for "remembering ancestors and cherishing the past." In 2026, the Mid-Year Festival will fall on August 27th (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month). Ancestor worship is usually performed before noon on the day in the main hall of the house. Prepare cooked rice, fresh flowers, tea, wine, and four types of fruit (such as apples and oranges) to express remembrance and gratitude to the ancestors. Difference between Ancestor Worship and Pu Du (offering to wandering spirits) Ancestor Worship: It's about remembering ancestors and cherishing the past. It's performed in the "main hall of the house" or the ancestral shrine, facing inwards from outside. You can state the names of your descendants and pray for the ancestors' blessings for the family's safety. Pu Du for "Good Brothers" (wandering spirits): It's about offering charity to all beings. It must be performed "outdoors" or at the doorstep. Absolutely avoid stating full names or addresses, and do not perform Pu Du indoors or on the balcony, to prevent inviting wandering spirits into the house. Mid-Year Festival Ancestor Worship Preparation Checklist Location: Main hall of the house or in front of the ancestral tablet. Time: Before 11:00 AM on the day of the Mid-Year Festival (If you need to do it earlier or later due to busyness, you can choose another day within the 7th lunar month and inform the ancestors beforehand). Suggested Offerings: Cooked food and rice: Home-style dishes, rice and side dishes, or simple offerings of three types of meat (chicken, pork, fish). Seasonal Fruits: Choose round, seedless fruits like apples (for peace) and oranges (for good fortune). Tea and Wine: Prepare three cups of tea or rice wine. Incense Papers: Jiā jīn, Dà yín, etc. Worshipping the House Deity (Di Ji Zhu) The best time to worship the House Deity is between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Suggested Offerings: Prepare a chicken leg bento box (a whole chicken leg, not cut), two sets of chopsticks and bowls, and three cups of wine or water. When worshipping, place a low table in the kitchen or inside the main door, facing inwards from the outside. Adhere to the four principles: "low, inside, short, and consistent." Worshipping Time and Occasion Best Time Slot: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM