A Malaysian of Chinese ethnicity prays after burning joss paper money during Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Kuala Lumpur August 19, 2013. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when prayers are offered to the dead and offerings of food and paper-made models of items such as televisions, refrigerators and sport cars are burnt to appease wandering spirits. It is believed that the gates of hell are opened during the month and dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A worker sleeps at the backstage of a makeshift theatre during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong August 20, 2013. According to superstition, the spirits of the dead return to Earth during the seventh month of the Chinese Lunar calendar, which runs from August 7 to September 4. Picture taken August 20, 2013. To match story HONGKONG-GHOSTS/ REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) 

People burn incense on the beach during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong August 25, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

People burn joss paper money next to food and incense offered to ghosts on a street during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong August 21, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. Picture taken August 21, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Paper replicas of servants which are believed to be used by ghosts after being burned are seen for sale for the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong August 20, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. Picture taken August 20, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A paper replica of an iPad is seen on sale for the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival at a prayer supplies shop in Hong Kong August 20, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. Picture taken August 20, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A man looks at a list of donors for Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival ceremony in Hong Kong August 20, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. Picture taken August 20, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Actresses dress before a performance during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong August 20, 2013. The Ghost Festival, also known as Yu Lan, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 15th night of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In Chinese tradition, the month is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Worshippers prepare ritualistic food offerings and burn joss paper - a paper form of material items - for the ghost. Other paper items in the form of clothes, gold and other fine goods are also burnt for the visiting spirits of the ancestors to show respect. Picture taken August 20, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A performer sings at a "Getai", Mandarin for song stage, in Singapore August 15, 2013. The song stages, featuring animated singers in glittering costumes belting out Hokkien, Cantonese and Mandarin hits, are held in many neighbourhoods throughout Singapore during the "Hungry Ghost month" on the seventh lunar month, when spirits are believed to freely roam the earth, to entertain the living and the dead. Picture taken August 15, 2013. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TRAVEL) 

Joss paper are thrown to a giant paper statue of Chinese deity "Da Shi Ye" or "Guardian God of Ghosts" during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Kajang, outside Kuala Lumpur, early August 17, 2013. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when prayers are offered to the dead and offerings of food and paper-made models of items such as televisions, refrigerators and sport cars are burnt to appease wandering spirits. It is believed that the gates of hell are opened during the month and dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A worker hangs up lanterns outside a temple during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival at Chinatown in Singapore August 13, 2013. The Hungry Ghost Festival this year started on August 7 and ends on September 4 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts held by believers to appease roaming spirits. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Chinese Indonesians prepare offerings for their ancestors during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Medan, North Sumatra August 31, 2012. During the festival, Chinese perform ritual prayers so that the spirit-soul of their ancestors will go to heaven. According to tradition, ghosts and spirits are believed to come out from hell to visit earth during the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar called the Ghost Month. Picture taken August 31, 2012. REUTERS/Y.T Haryono (INDONESIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Chinese Indonesians throw fake money to honour their ancestors during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Medan, North Sumatra August 31, 2012. During the festival, Chinese perform ritual prayers so that the spirit-soul of their ancestors will go to heaven. According to tradition, ghosts and spirits are believed to come out from hell to visit earth during the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar called the Ghost Month. Picture taken August 31, 2012. REUTERS/Y.T Haryono (INDONESIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A person walks between strings of lotus-shaped incense papers during a mass prayer for the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Taipei August 24, 2011. The Hungry Ghost Festival this year started on July 31 and ends on August 28 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts held by believers to appease roaming spirits. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A person prays next to a pile of incense papers which are folded into the shape of gold ingots during a mass prayer for the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Taipei August 24, 2011. The Hungry Ghost Festival this year started on July 31 and ends on August 28 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts held by believers to appease roaming spirits. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A man stands in front of his fattened sacrificial pig as part of the Hakka Yimin Festival in Hsinchu August 29, 2010. During the festival, believers worship ancestors who fought for the government against rebels during ancient times to protect their homeland. After their deaths, locals started sacrificing pigs as offerings during the annual Hungry Ghost festival to commemorate their bravery. The sacrifice preludes with a competition for the fattest pig in town and the family that offers the fattest pig is believed to receive a great blessing. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN - Tags: ODDLY SOCIETY ANIMALS RELIGION) 

People launch a floating lantern into the sea off Taiwan's northern port of Keelung August 24, 2010, as part of the Hungry Ghost Festival or "Zhong Yuan Jie" festivities. It is believed by worshippers that the gates of hell are opened during the month and the dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. The Hungry Ghost Festival starts this year from August 10 and ends on September 7 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts organized by believers to appease the roaming spirits. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN - Tags: RELIGION) 

Participants perform a dragon dance during a Hungry Ghost Festival parade along the streets of Keelung, northern Taiwan August 23, 2010. It is believed by worshippers that the gates of hell are opened during the month and the dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. The Hungry Ghost Festival starts this year from August 10 and ends on September 7 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts organised by believers to appease the roaming spirits. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man throws paper money to a burning statue of the Chinese deity "Da Shi Ye" or "Guardian God of Ghosts" during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Kajang, outside Kuala Lumpur, August 19, 2010. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when prayers are offered to the dead and offerings of food and paper-made models of items such as televisions, refrigerators and sport cars are burnt to appease the wandering spirits. It is believed that the gates of hell are opened during the month and the dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Employees dressed in ghost costumes of the ghost house "Welcome to Scream Out" wait for customers in Taipei, August 11, 2010. The ghost house "Welcome to Scream Out" is from Japan and will be held in Taiwan from August 4 to September 9, 2010 to go with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival. The Hungry Ghost Festival started on August 10 and ends on September 7 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts by believers to appease the roaming spirits. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A woman burns incense papers on the eve of the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Taipei August 9, 2010. The Hungry Ghost Festival starts from August 10 and ends on September 7 with traditional Chinese operas, puppet shows and concerts by believers to appease the roaming spirits. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Chairs are left empty for "ghosts", as members of a Chinese Opera group perform during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Puchong near Kuala Lumpur August 23, 2009. The Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival falls on the 7th month of the Lunar Year. It is believed by the Chinese that during the month, the gates of hell are opened to let out hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA SOCIETY) 

Competitors perform a ritual around the "Ku Peng" during the Chiang Ku contest as part of the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in Toucheng, Ilan, August 17, 2008. Chiang Ku is a contest involving grabbing offerings and flags from a group of tall bamboo towers to pay reverence to wandering souls during the Hungry Ghost Festival. It is believed by worshippers that the gates of hell are opened during every seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar and dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN) 

A worshipper dressed in a costume performs during the Cheng Huang Ye parade as part of the Hungry Ghost Festival or "Zhong Yuan Jie" in Hsinchu August 26, 2007. It is believed by worshippers that the gates of Hell are opened during the month and the dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated every year during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN) 

A worshipper dressed in a costume as "Ba Ye" dances during the Cheng Huang Ye parade as part of the Hungry Ghost Festival or "Zhong Yuan Jie" in Hsinchu August 26, 2007. It is believed by worshippers that the gates of Hell are opened during the month and the dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated every year during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN) 

A Malaysian Chinese (C) goes into a trance during the Chinese Hungry
Ghost Festival in the town of Cheng in the southern state of Malacca,
August 12, 2003. During the festival, prayers are offered to the dead
and offerings of food and paper-made models such as tv, refrigerators,
and sport cars, are burnt to appease the wandering spirits. It is
believed that the gates of Hell are opened during the month and the
dead ancestors return to visit their relatives. The Hungry Ghost
Festival is celebrated every year during the seventh month of the
Chinese lunar calendar. Picture taken 12, 2003. REUTERS/Bazuki
Muhammad

BM/DL 

An elderly woman prays in front of an altar set up to appease dead souls during the Hungry Ghost festival in Singapore August 17, 2000. The Hungry Ghost Festival falls in the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar and lasts for a month. The Chinese believe that the gates of hell will open to release dead souls to roam the streets for one month. During this month, the Chinese will offer gifts to the ghosts by burning paper replicas of money, furnitures and other necessities of life.

ST/HL