The custom of the Mid-Autumn Ghost Festival in July, also known as the Ghost Month or Qīyú Jié (七月节), is a traditional Chinese festival that takes place during the 7th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which falls in late July or early August in the Gregorian calendar.

**Folk customs of the Mid-Autumn Ghost Festival:**
1. **Offerings to the Ancestors and Ghosts:** People set up altars with food offerings such as fruits, vegetables, rice, and tea to honor their deceased ancestors. Incense sticks are burned as a way to invite the spirits.
2. **Water Lantern Festival:** In some regions, people release water lanterns into rivers or lakes as a symbol of sending away the spirits and lighting their way to the afterlife.
3. **Festive Foods:** Foods like mooncakes, rice dumplings, and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are traditionally eaten during this festival.
4. **Nian Gao (年糕):** Nian gao is a sweet rice cake that symbolizes progress in life, and it's often eaten to ensure ancestors continue to advance in the spirit world.
5. **Duanwu Lanterns:** In some places, red lanterns are hung up in homes and around graveyards to guide spirits back to their resting places.
6. **Folk Games:** People might engage in various games like paper cutting, riddles, and card games, as a form of entertainment.
7. **Wearing a Jade Bracelet:** Some believe wearing a jade bracelet will protect them from evil spirits.
8. **No Haircuts:** It's considered bad luck to get a haircut during the Ghost Month, as it might cut off a spirit's tail, causing it to become trapped.
**Origin and Legends of the Mid-Autumn Ghost Festival:**
The festival's origins can be traced back to ancient Chinese beliefs and folklore. One popular legend is about a deity named Wu Guang, who became a powerful king after dying. His reign was known for his benevolence, and it was said that during the 7th lunar month, Wu Guang would open the gates of hell to allow the spirits of the dead to return to their families.
Another story is that during the 7th lunar month, the spirits of the deceased roam the world and cause mischief. Therefore, people take measures to prevent them from causing harm, which includes making offerings, lighting lanterns, and burning paper money and clothing for them.
The festival has evolved over time and varies by region, but the essence of remembering ancestors and showing respect for the spirit world remains a central aspect.
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