In recent years, the overwhelming popularity of the water lantern released at the Keelung Ghost Festival has caused many to mistakenly believe the festival ceremonies consist of this display alone. Actually, the original purpose of releasing the water lanterns was to provide light for the spirits in the water so that they may find the shore and enjoy putu, or "universal salvation," the same as their terrestrial, or sub-terrestrial counterparts.

The water lanterns are painstakingly constructed by their owners and often rise two stories high. Before they are released, a monk chants Taoist scriptures on the shore and prepares sacrificial meat and other offerings.

The water lanterns at the Keelung Ghost Day Festival are released next to the bus terminal at Patoutze in Wanghai Harbor. Some believe that it is best to release the water lanterns during high tide, reasoning that the "guests" or spirits will arrive with the rising waters. Others say that the further and faster from shore that the lantern floats, the more prosperous its owner will become. This group will often release these lanterns during low tide, rolling up their pant legs and poling a bamboo raft to help their lanterns along, pushing them away from the shore.

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