Soul passes through the “ghost path” and clashes with the “seven period” | “魂游”途经鬼道又撞上七期

There is a saying in Cantonese funeral customs of “Clashes the seven periods“. If the soul of the deceased has to pass through the “ghost path” and it happens to falls on seventh, seventeenth or twenty-seventh day of the lunar calendar within the “seven periods”, it may bring bad luck to the family members.

However, such coincidence is rare. But if it does happen, a pig’s head must be used as a sacrifice on the day of the funeral. At the prayer ceremony, the Taoist priest will guide the family to prepare a knife, cut the pig’s head into two and throw it away after the prayer ceremony. This is to help family members avoid unfortunate matters that may fall upon them.

Today, this Cantonese funeral custom has gradually been forgotten.