In a newly opened section of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, conservators have discovered a cache of incredibly well-preserved silk banners dating back to the late Han Dynasty. The banners are intricately embroidered with scenes of the Zhongyuan Festival, a precursor to the modern Ghost Festival. These artifacts contain rare textual inscriptions detailing the specific prayers and incense formulas used to summon the spirits of ancestors during the autumn moon.
The find is particularly significant because it documents the merging of local folk traditions with early Buddhist and Taoist ritual practices. The banners depict grand processions of musicians and lantern-bearers, confirming that the festival was a major public event involving all levels of society. Scholars believe these banners were offered as votive gifts by merchants traveling the Silk Road, seeking protection from their ancestors for their long journeys.