Japan—The Obon, Or The Festival Of The Lanterns

日本——盂兰盆节，又名灯笼节

The Festival of the Dead in Japan, which is called Obon, is held every year in the month of August. Obon is a day when the spirits return to visit their relatives.

日本的鬼节叫“盂兰盆节”，时间是每年八月份。在盂兰盆节这一天，鬼魂都要回来拜访亲人。

Many Buddhists in Japan celebrate this holiday by preparing offerings of special food for their ancestors’ spirits, which are placed on altars in temples and in their homes. 

很多日本的佛教徒过节的时候都为祖先的亡魂准备一些特殊食物作祭品，放置在寺庙和家里的供桌上。

As the sun goes down families light paper lanterns and hang them in front of their houses to help the spirits find their way home. 

太阳落山时家人就点上纸灯笼，悬挂在屋前帮助亡魂找到回家的路。

The celebrations end with families sending colorful paper lanterns lit by candles floating down the rivers and bays of Japan and out to sea. 

庆祝活动的最后环节是家人在河里放彩色的纸灯笼，里面点燃蜡烛顺流而下，最后漂到大海。

The string of colorful lights bobbing in the water are meant to guide the spirits of their loved ones back to the realm of the dead.

水面上浮动的一串串彩色光亮，是为了指引亲人的亡魂回到幽冥之地。

英语君PS：盂兰盆节也是日本一年一度的春运，全国豪堵。

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