When is the Ghost Month in 2025? Complete calendar guide

July 2025 in the Gregorian calendar doesn't coincide with the Ghost Month because 2025 has a leap 6th lunar month. Therefore, the Ghost Month (7th lunar month) shifts from August 23 to September 21 in the Gregorian calendar, completely separate from July (July 1-31).

Many people wonder when is the Ghost Month in 2025 because July 2025 doesn't overlap with the Ghost Month due to the leap 6th lunar month in 2025. In fact, these two months not coinciding is completely normal and happens regularly.

Let's explore with CHUS the reasons behind this difference and fascinating insights about how lunar and solar calendars work.

Understanding when is the Ghost Month in 2025 to prepare for proper worship timing

What is the Ghost Month and When Does It Occur?

The Ghost Month is another name for the 7th lunar month, lasting from the 1st to the 30th day of the 7th lunar month each year. This period is traditionally believed by Vietnamese folk culture to be when "the gates of the underworld open," allowing spirits to return to the earthly realm.

Regarding the question of when is the Ghost Month in 2025, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (Ghost Festival) will fall on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in the Gregorian calendar. This means the entire Ghost Month of 2025 runs from late August to mid-September in the Gregorian calendar.

The lunar-solar calendar always holds fascinating mysteries about time and spirituality

History and Origins of the Ghost Month

The Ghost Month originates from Chinese Taoism, with the belief that the underworld is governed by the Earth Official Emperor. The 7th lunar month, especially the 15th day which coincides with the Earth Official Emperor's birthday, is when the gates of hell open.

According to Dr. Duong Hoang Loc, Head of Anthropology - Religion Department and Director of the Religious Studies Center at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the concept of Ghost Month stems from Taoism and later spread widely among folk culture.

Many regions in China call the 7th lunar month "Ghost Festival" and "Hungry Ghost Festival," representing a time for people to pray and make offerings. In Vietnam, folk belief holds that the 7th lunar month is when "the Earth Official pardons sins," meaning souls from the underworld are allowed to visit the earthly realm.

The origins of Ghost Month from Chinese Taoism carry deep meaning (Source: Internet)

Deep Cultural Significance

The Ghost Month isn't simply a "ghost and demon" month as many people think. In essence, this is a time that demonstrates noble humanitarianism, emphasizing filial piety and doing good deeds.

The rituals during this month guide people toward expanding their compassionate hearts, shown through care and sharing for those who are less fortunate, unfortunate, or facing difficulties in life.

Why Don't Lunar and Solar Calendars Align?

Detailed Operating Mechanism

The solar calendar (Gregorian calendar) was invented by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, based on Earth's orbit around the Sun. A solar year has exactly 365.2425 days, rounded to 365 days normally and 366 days in leap years (every 4 years has 1 leap year).

Each solar month has a fixed length: January, March, May, July, August, October, December have 31 days; April, June, September, November have 30 days; February has 28 days (29 days in leap years). This system is very stable and easy to calculate.

Conversely, the lunar calendar is based on the Moon's orbit around Earth, with a synodic cycle (from new moon to next new moon) of about 29.53 days. Therefore, a lunar month can have 29 or 30 days, depending on the Moon's position. This is also why when is the Ghost Month in 2025 becomes a common question when people want to prepare for ceremonies.

The cycles of the Moon and Sun create differences between the two calendar systems (Source: Internet)

The Complexity of the Lunar-Solar Calendar

A pure lunar calendar only has 354 days per year, about 11 days less than the solar year. If only using the pure lunar calendar, agricultural seasons would gradually shift compared to actual weather over time.

To address this, Vietnamese people use the lunar-solar calendar system, where every 19 years has 7 leap years (adding one leap month). The leap month is named after the preceding month, for example "leap 6th month." 2025 is a year with a leap 6th month, so the following months are shifted compared to the solar calendar.

The rule for determining leap months is based on 24 solar terms. The month that doesn't contain a major solar term (zhongqi) will be called a leap month. This explains why the position of leap months isn't fixed but changes according to astronomical cycles.

The leap month is the key to understanding the Ghost Month's shift

Impact of Lunar Leap Years

2025 is a special lunar leap year, with two consecutive 6th lunar months (6th month and leap 6th month). This phenomenon occurs approximately every 2-3 years, helping adjust the accumulated difference between lunar and solar calendars.

Specifically in 2025:

• 6th lunar month: from July 25 to August 22 in Gregorian calendar
• Leap 6th lunar month: from August 23 to September 21 in Gregorian calendar
• 7th lunar month: from September 22 to October 21 in Gregorian calendar

Due to the additional leap 6th month, all subsequent months are shifted later compared to the solar calendar. This is the main reason why when is the Ghost Month in 2025 - specifically late August and early September in the Gregorian calendar.

The Recurring Cycle of Differences

The difference between July in the Gregorian calendar and the Ghost Month follows a complex 19-year cycle called the Metonic cycle. In this cycle, there are 12 regular years (12 months) and 7 leap years (13 months).

Adding leap months doesn't follow rigid rules but depends on actual astronomical positions. This makes accurately predicting when the Ghost Month will occur in the future complex, requiring deep astronomical calculations. Therefore, the question of when is the Ghost Month in 2025 needs to be answered based on accurate lunar calendar calculations.

The 19-year cycle of the lunar calendar creates fascinating changes over time (Source: Internet)

When is the Ghost Month in 2025 - When Do July and Ghost Month Coincide?

The coincidence between July in the Gregorian calendar and the Ghost Month doesn't follow a fixed pattern but depends on the complex cycle of the lunar-solar calendar. Based on perpetual calendar data, this can be divided into the following cases:

Levels of Overlap for the Question When is the Ghost Month in 2025

The overlap between July in the Gregorian calendar and the Ghost Month doesn't follow a fixed rule but depends on the complex cycle of the lunar-solar calendar. Based on perpetual calendar data, this can be divided into the following cases:

• Complete overlap (100%): Very rare, only occurs in about 5-7% of years
• Partial overlap (70-99%): More common, accounting for about 25-30% of years
• Minor overlap (30-69%): Occurs in about 35-40% of years
• No overlap: Accounts for about 25-30% of years, like the case in 2025

The level of Ghost Month overlap changes uniquely each year (Source: Internet)

Practical Significance of This Difference

No Impact on Spiritual Meaning

The fact that the Ghost Month doesn't coincide with July in the Gregorian calendar doesn't change the spiritual significance of this month. The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is still an occasion for descendants to express filial piety toward parents and ancestors, while showing compassion for lonely souls.

According to Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, time calculated by the lunar calendar has true spiritual meaning. The solar calendar is only a convenient time measurement system for modern life, without sacred characteristics.

Avoiding Community Confusion

This difference sometimes causes misunderstandings in the community. Many people, especially younger generations accustomed to the solar calendar, often mistakenly think July in the Gregorian calendar is the Ghost Month. This leads to preparing offerings at the wrong time or missing important rituals.

To avoid confusion, families should:

• Use perpetual calendars or lunar calendar apps for accurate determination
• Follow announcements from temples and shrines about worship times
• Pass on lunar calendar knowledge to younger generations in the family

Need to Consult Lunar Calendar for Accuracy

Due to this difference, people need to rely on perpetual calendars or lunar calendars to know exactly when is the Ghost Month in 2025. Relying only on July in the Gregorian calendar may lead to confusion about worship timing.

Some reputable apps and websites for lunar calendar consultation:

• Traditional perpetual calendars
• "Lunar Calendar" mobile apps
• Websites of astronomical institutions
• Lunar calendars published by orthodox religious organizations

Accurate lunar calendar consultation helps maintain cultural traditions properly (Source: Internet)

Important Notes About Ghost Month 2025

Specific Timing

Many people are interested in when is the Ghost Month in 2025 to prepare thoroughly for ceremonies. The 7th lunar month of 2025 begins on the 1st day of the 7th lunar month 2025 on Saturday (corresponding to August 23, 2025 in Gregorian calendar) and ends on the 30th day of the 7th lunar month 2025 on Sunday (corresponding to September 21, 2025 in Gregorian calendar).

The Full Moon Festival and Other Important Ceremonies

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is called the Zhongyuan Festival, a holiday originating from Chinese Taoism. This is also the Ullambana Day for filial piety in Buddhism, the most important time of the Ghost Month.

Zhongyuan Festival has special significance in Taoism. According to this belief, a year is divided into three festivals corresponding to 3 important periods: Shangyuan Festival (15th of 1st month), Zhongyuan Festival (15th of 7th month), and Xiayuan Festival (15th of 10th month).

Ullambana Festival in Buddhism occurs on the same day, emphasizing the meaning of filial piety. The name "Ullambana" originates from Sanskrit "Ullambana," meaning "rescue from suffering," especially rescuing souls suffering in lower realms.

Qixi Festival (7th day of 7th lunar month) in 2025 falls on August 29 in the Gregorian calendar, also a special day in the Ghost Month, associated with the legend of the Weaver Girl and Cowherd.

The 15th of the 7th lunar month and Ullambana for filial piety are sacred special occasions (Source: Internet)

Special Customs During the Month

Besides the popular ghost offerings, the 7th lunar month has many unique local customs:

Floating flower lanterns: Many localities have the custom of floating flower lanterns on rivers and streams to guide souls toward the light.

Offering "spirit rice": Some regions have the custom of cooking special rice called "spirit rice," offered outdoors for wandering souls.

Special taboos: Avoiding grand openings, construction starts, and weddings during this month. However, religious experts believe that excessive taboos may diminish the true humanitarian meaning of the Ghost Month.

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Conclusion

CHUS hopes that through this article, you now clearly understand why July 2025 in the Gregorian calendar doesn't coincide with the Ghost Month and how to distinguish between the lunar and solar calendar systems.

Understanding lunar calendar knowledge helps us properly maintain spiritual cultural traditions, not missing important occasions like the Ghost Month, the 15th of the 7th lunar month, or other traditional festivals. We hope through this article, you have a clear answer to the question of when is the Ghost Month in 2025.

FAQs

• Should I buy a house or car during Ghost Month 2025?
  Not recommended. Folk beliefs suggest wandering spirits during this time may cause misfortune, vehicle breakdowns, or accidents. If absolutely necessary, choose auspicious days and perform protective rituals for safety.
• What foods should be avoided during Ghost Month?
  Avoid squid (weakens positive energy), fermented shrimp paste (represents impurity), and balut/duck embryo (consuming a soul about to be born). These foods allegedly attract negative forces.
• Why shouldn't people get married during Ghost Month?
  Ghost Month is considered a time of wandering spirits and bad omens. Important ceremonies like weddings may yield undesirable results or be disturbed by roaming souls.
• Is it safe to travel during Ghost Month?
  Limit long-distance travel and avoid nighttime outings when spirits are most active. If travel is unavoidable, carry protective amulets and avoid looking back in deserted areas.
• What do experts say about Ghost Month taboos?
  Cultural experts call excessive restrictions superstitious. They advise living normally and doing good deeds to increase positive energy while maintaining Ghost Month's humanitarian meaning.