A sea sacrificial ceremony is held in Qionghai of Hainan province during Zhongyuan Festival to pray for good fortune, August 9, 2014. [Photo by Meng Zhongde/Asianewsphoto]

Sending goat

A popular folk custom during the festival requires that a grandfather or uncle on the mother's side send a live goat to his grandson or nephew. Legend has it that the custom has something to do with the myth of Chenxiang Saving His Mother from the Mountain. The custom has gradually evolved into sending a pair of flour goats.

The festival is quite popular among Chinese and is celebrated not only on the Chinese mainland, but also in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Besides, it has spread to and is celebrated in Thailand, Japan, North Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.