Spirits and Ghosts in Traditional Chinese Folklore [2025]

Spirits and Ghosts in Traditional Chinese Folklore

The rich tapestry of Chinese Ghosts and spirits is deeply woven into the country’s cultural and religious traditions. From benevolent ancestors to vengeful specters, these supernatural beings play a significant role in Chinese mythology, literature, and daily life. Understanding these entities—such as the Yao (妖), Gui (鬼), and the rituals of Exorcisms—provides a fascinating glimpse into China’s spiritual heritage.

The Classification of Chinese Ghosts and Spirits

In Chinese folklore, supernatural beings are categorized based on their nature, origin, and behavior. Below is a breakdown of the most common types:

Type	Description	Characteristics
Gui (鬼)	Restless spirits of the dead	Often vengeful, associated with improper burials or tragic deaths
Yao (妖)	Demonic or mischievous entities	Shape-shifters, often animals or objects with supernatural powers
Shen (神)	Deities or divine spirits	Benevolent, worshipped in temples and household altars

Gui: The Restless Dead

The term Gui refers to the spirits of deceased individuals who have not found peace. These entities are often tied to unresolved grievances, improper burial rites, or violent deaths. Some well-known Chinese Ghosts include:

Jiangshi (僵尸) – The “hopping vampire,” a reanimated corpse controlled by Taoist priests.
Nü Gui (女鬼) – Female ghosts who return to seek vengeance, often depicted in white robes with long hair.
Dian Gui (吊死鬼) – The ghost of someone who died by hanging, believed to linger near the place of death.

Yao: The Shape-Shifting Tricksters

Unlike Gui, Yao are not human spirits but rather supernatural creatures that can take various forms. These beings are often associated with nature, such as foxes, snakes, or even household objects. Famous examples include:

Huli Jing (狐狸精) – Fox spirits known for seducing humans and causing mischief.
Bai Ze (白泽) – A mythical beast that exposes the truth about demons.
Jing (精) – Spirits inhabiting trees, rocks, or rivers, sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevolent.

Exorcisms and Protective Rituals

To ward off malevolent spirits, Chinese Tradition has developed numerous rituals and protective measures. These practices often involve Taoist priests, talismans, and ceremonial offerings.

Common Exorcism Techniques

Fulu (符箓) – Taoist talismans inscribed with sacred characters to repel evil.
Zhong Kui (钟馗) – The demon-queller, a deity invoked to banish ghosts.
Joss Paper Burning – Offering money and goods to appease restless spirits.

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Ghost Festivals and Cultural Significance

Chinese culture dedicates specific times of the year to honor and appease spirits. The most famous is the Hungry Ghost Festival, held during the seventh lunar month. During this period, it is believed that the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam freely among the living.

Key Traditions During the Hungry Ghost Festival

Offering food, incense, and joss paper to wandering spirits.
Performing operas and rituals to entertain and appease the dead.
Avoiding activities like swimming or staying out late to prevent ghostly encounters.

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Regional Variations in Chinese Ghost Beliefs

China’s vast geography has led to diverse interpretations of spirits across different regions. While core concepts like Gui and Yao remain consistent, local folklore adds unique twists. Below are notable regional spirits:

Region	Spirit Name	Description
Fujian	Shui Gui (水鬼)	Drowning ghosts that lure victims into rivers or lakes
Sichuan	Ye Xiao (夜枭)	Owl-like spirits foretelling death with their cries
Guangdong	Chiang Shi (僵尸)	More aggressive variants of hopping vampires, often linked to feng shui curses

Shui Gui: The Drowned Souls

In coastal and riverine provinces like Fujian, Shui Gui are feared as spirits of those who drowned. These entities are said to mimic the voices of loved ones or appear as floating lights to trick victims into watery graves. Fishermen often carry protective amulets or avoid speaking names aloud near water to evade their grasp.

Ye Xiao: Omens of Misfortune

Sichuan’s mountainous terrain gives rise to tales of the Ye Xiao, nocturnal spirits taking the form of owls. Their screeches are considered harbingers of death, leading locals to cover mirrors and lock doors at night to prevent their influence.

Spirit Possession and Mediumship

Beyond exorcisms, Chinese tradition acknowledges spirit possession as a conduit between realms. Tang-ki (童乩), or spirit mediums, play pivotal roles in communing with the supernatural. Rituals often involve:

Self-flagellation – Mediums enter trances, using blades or spikes to demonstrate invulnerability granted by possessing deities.
Automatic writing – Spirits convey messages through the medium’s hand.
Oracle bones – An ancient practice revived in some rural areas to divine ghostly intentions.

Famous Cases of Possession

Historical records document eerie accounts of possession, such as the Qing Dynasty’s “Madness Plague” in Shandong, where villagers exhibited synchronized erratic behavior, attributed to a collective spirit invasion. Modern anthropologists link these events to mass hysteria, though locals maintain supernatural explanations.

Ghosts in Classical Literature

Chinese literary masterpieces abound with ghostly narratives, reflecting societal fears and moral lessons. Key works include:

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (聊斋志异) – Pu Songling’s 17th-century collection features fox spirits, vengeful ghosts, and cosmic justice.
The Peony Pavilion (牡丹亭) – A romantic tale of love transcending death, where a woman’s ghost returns to reclaim her destiny.
Journey to the West (西游记) – While primarily a Buddhist allegory, it includes encounters with Yao like the White Bone Demon.

Symbolism in Ghost Stories

These stories often serve as allegories. For example, the Nü Gui trope critiques gender oppression, as seen in the tale of Du Liniang from The Peony Pavilion, whose ghost defies patriarchal constraints. Similarly, fox spirits symbolize the duality of desire and danger in Confucian society.

Supernatural Beings in Modern Media

Contemporary Chinese cinema and TV series continue to explore ghostly themes, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. Notable examples:

A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂) – A cult classic romanticizing the love between a scholar and a ghost.
The Untamed (陈情令) – A fantasy drama incorporating Gui and Yao into its cultivation-world lore.
Rigor Mortis (僵尸) – A horror film reimagining the Jiangshi trope with psychological depth.

Government Censorship and Ghost Narratives

Interestingly, China’s State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television restricts depictions of supernatural content, labeling it “feudal superstition.” This has led filmmakers to use metaphors—like “energy beings” instead of ghosts—to bypass censorship while preserving cultural essence.

Archaeological Evidence of Spirit Worship

Excavations reveal ancient Chinese practices to honor or deter spirits. For instance:

Shang Dynasty oracle bones – Inscribed with questions to ancestral spirits about harvests or wars.
Han Dynasty tomb figurines – Clay guardians placed in graves to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
Tang Dynasty “Hell Money” – Early forms of joss paper found in burial sites.

The Mawangdui Tombs

One of China’s most significant archaeological discoveries, the Mawangdui Han tombs in Hunan, contained perfectly preserved corpses alongside spirit-calming artifacts, such as silk manuscripts detailing rituals to navigate the afterlife.

Intersection with Buddhism and Daoism

While indigenous Chinese beliefs shape ghost lore, Buddhism and Daoism introduced new dimensions:

Religion	Contribution	Example
Buddhism	Concept of Hungry Ghosts (饿鬼)	Spirits suffering due to past greed, fed during the Ghost Festival
Daoism	Exorcism rituals	Use of Bagua mirrors and peach wood swords to repel evil

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Folk Remedies Against Ghostly Encounters

Throughout China’s history, communities have developed practical methods to protect themselves from malevolent spirits. These folk remedies blend superstition with everyday objects, revealing a deep cultural ingenuity. Below are some widely practiced defenses:

Salt and Rice Scattering – Throwing handfuls of salt or rice at doorways to confuse spirits, as they are compelled to count each grain before entering.
Red Threads and Bells – Hanging red threads with small bells to alert households of ghostly presence, as spirits are said to fear the color red.
Mirrors Facing Outward – Placing mirrors opposite doors or windows to reflect evil energy away, based on the belief that ghosts cannot tolerate their own reflection.

The Power of Plants

Certain plants are revered for their spirit-repelling properties. For example:

Plant	Usage	Cultural Significance
Peach Wood	Carved into amulets or swords	Symbolizes longevity and wards off demons in Daoist traditions
Mugwort	Burned as incense	Purifies spaces during the Dragon Boat Festival
Willow Branches	Placed above beds	Prevents nightmares by trapping wandering spirits

Ghost Marriage: A Macabre Tradition

One of China’s most haunting customs is ghost marriage (冥婚), where deceased individuals are symbolically wed to ensure they do not wander alone in the afterlife. This practice, though rare today, persists in rural areas and involves intricate rituals:

Matchmaking – Families hire spiritual mediums to pair compatible spirits based on birth and death dates.
Dowry Exchange – Paper replicas of money, houses, and even electronics are burned for the couple’s use in the underworld.
Joint Burials – Remains are exhumed and reburied together, sometimes with terracotta figurines as stand-ins if a corpse is unavailable.

Controversies and Legal Bans

In 2018, China criminalized the excavation of corpses for ghost marriages after reports of grave robberies and even murders to supply “brides” for wealthy families. Despite this, clandestine ceremonies still occur, highlighting the enduring fear of lonely spirits.

Ghosts in Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) historically attributed certain illnesses to supernatural causes. Conditions like sudden paralysis or hallucinations were diagnosed as ghost-induced afflictions, treated with unconventional methods:

Acupuncture with Silver Needles – Believed to expel ghostly energy from meridians.
Herbal Concoctions – Formulas containing realgar (a toxic mineral) to “poison” invading spirits.
Fire Cupping – Used to suction out malevolent forces lodged in the body.

The Ghost Point (鬼穴)

TCM identifies a pressure point near the wrist, called Guǐxué, as a gateway for spirit intrusion. Massaging this area was thought to prevent possession, though modern practitioners dismiss it as pseudoscience.

Urban Legends and Modern Ghost Stories

China’s rapid urbanization has birthed new ghostly tales, often tied to contemporary anxieties. Some viral urban legends include:

The Elevator Game – A viral challenge where players ride elevators at midnight to “visit” the spirit world, inspired by Japanese folklore but adapted with Chinese elements like offerings of white candles.
Highway Phantom Hitchhikers – Drivers report picking up passengers who vanish, leaving behind wet footprints (a nod to Shui Gui lore).
Construction Site Curses – Accidents on skyscraper sites are blamed on disturbed earth spirits, leading to feng shui rituals before groundbreaking.

The Beijing Lingering Soul Case

In 2015, rumors spread of a ghostly figure caught on CCTV in a Beijing subway station. Authorities dismissed it as a technical glitch, but netizens insisted it was a Gui trapped between worlds—a testament to how ancient beliefs persist in the digital age.

Ghosts and the Law

China’s legal system has occasionally grappled with supernatural claims. Notable cases involve:

Case	Details	Outcome
2012 Jiangxi “Ghost House” Dispute	A family sued their landlord, claiming the rented property was haunted by a Dian Gui (hanging ghost).	Court ruled in the tenant’s favor, citing “emotional distress,” though avoided supernatural language.
2019 Exorcist Fraud Trial	A self-proclaimed Taoist priest swindled $20,000 from a client promising to expel a fox spirit.	Defendant convicted under fraud statutes, highlighting legal skepticism toward spiritual claims.

Cultural Implications

These cases reflect a tension between traditional beliefs and modern legality. While courts avoid validating ghosts, they acknowledge the psychological impact of such fears—a nuanced dance between heritage and jurisprudence.

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Ghosts in Chinese Festive Customs

Beyond the Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinese traditions incorporate spirit beliefs into various celebrations. These practices reveal how ancestral veneration and ghost lore intertwine with joyous occasions:

Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) – Families clean gravesites and offer food to deceased relatives, ensuring their comfort in the afterlife while preventing them from becoming restless spirits.
Dragon Boat Festival – Originally a day to ward off evil spirits, people hang calamus and wormwood on doors and drink realgar wine as protection.
Mid-Autumn Festival – Mooncakes are sometimes left as offerings to wandering spirits who might otherwise disrupt the celebrations.

The Double Ninth Festival

Held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, this festival traditionally involved climbing mountains to escape plague spirits believed to roam low-lying areas. Today, it’s celebrated as Senior Citizens’ Day, but some still observe the old customs by carrying zhuyu (dogwood) branches for protection.

Ghosts in Chinese Business Culture

Supernatural beliefs even influence modern commerce in China, particularly regarding business decisions and workplace practices:

Practice	Superstition	Modern Adaptation
Office Feng Shui	Avoiding “ghost doors” (unlucky alignments) that might invite negative energy	Hiring consultants to optimize workspace layouts
Grand Openings	Lion dances to scare away spirits from new businesses	Combining tradition with marketing events
Property Purchases	Avoiding homes where violent deaths occurred	“Haunted” properties often sell at significant discounts

The “Ghost Month” Effect

During the seventh lunar month, many businesses avoid:

Signing major contracts
Launching new products
Making large investments

This stems from the belief that decisions made during this period may be influenced by negative spiritual energy, leading to what economists call the “Ghost Month dip” in certain markets.

Ghosts in Chinese Childrearing

Traditional Chinese parenting incorporates numerous spirit-warding practices to protect children, who are considered particularly vulnerable to supernatural influences:

Naming Taboos – Avoiding names that might attract ghostly attention, such as those referencing death or darkness
Red Clothing – Dressing babies in red, believed to repel evil spirits
Nighttime Precautions – Not taking photos of sleeping children or pointing at the moon, actions thought to invite ghostly interference

The “Hundred Days” Celebration

When a baby reaches 100 days old, families often hold a special ceremony involving:

Shaving the baby’s head (to remove any spiritual impurities)
Presenting symbolic gifts like longevity locks
Offering prayers to ancestors for protection

Ghosts in Chinese Martial Arts

Several traditional Chinese martial arts incorporate movements and philosophies related to spiritual defense:

Style	Ghost Connection	Purpose
Baguazhang	Circular footwork based on Bagua (Eight Trigrams) diagrams used in exorcisms	To confuse and repel evil spirits
Taijiquan	Slow, flowing movements said to balance yin and yang energies	Preventing spiritual imbalance that might attract ghosts
Drunken Fist	Erratic movements believed to mimic and thus confuse spirits	Making the practitioner appear “already possessed”

The Legend of the Ghost-Fighting Monk

Chinese martial arts folklore tells of Bodhidharma, the monk who brought Chan Buddhism to China and supposedly developed exercises to help monks defend against both physical and spiritual threats. This legend forms part of the spiritual foundation of Shaolin martial arts.

Ghosts in Chinese Meteorology

Traditional Chinese weather lore attributes certain atmospheric phenomena to spiritual activity:

Will-o’-the-Wisps (鬼火) – Believed to be spirits carrying lanterns to guide or mislead travelers
Sudden Wind Gusts – Interpreted as the passing of invisible spirits
Red Sky at Night – Traditionally seen as a sign of spiritual activity rather than shepherd’s delight

Ghost Rain

In some regions, rain falling from a clear sky is called “ghost rain” (鬼雨) and is thought to represent tears from the spirit world. Farmers might delay planting when this occurs, fearing it portends a poor harvest.

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