The day the Buddha received enlightenment--the eighth day of the twelfth month--is also the occasion of the year-end sacrifice to the gods.
為了祭祀已逝親友及無主的孤魂野鬼，各地寺廟都舉行盛大的普渡儀式。糯米做成兩邊上翹、形似神筊的芋粿翹，這是中元節不可少的祭品。九月九日重陽節，台灣舊俗預備麻糬來祭祖。清初江南一帶有人吃米糕，有人吃重陽粽。