Ghosts

Hungry ghosts, vengeful spirits, and the restless dead of Chinese folklore

14 articles

Chinese Ghost Beliefs: A Complete Guide to the Spirit World

Chinese Ghost Beliefs: A Complete Guide to the Spirit World

Hungry ghosts, ancestral spirits, and restless souls — understand the complex system of ghost beliefs that shapes Chinese culture to this day.

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min read
Chinese Ghosts: Spirits, Hauntings & Supernatural Lore

Chinese Ghosts: Spirits, Hauntings & Supernatural Lore

The Complete Guide to Spirits, Hauntings, and the Supernatural in Chinese Culture

Spirit Lore Scholar20 min read
Chinese Ghost Stories for Beginners: Where to Start

Chinese Ghost Stories for Beginners: Where to Start

New to Chinese supernatural fiction? Start here — the essential concepts, the must-read stories, and the cultural context you need.

Spirit Lore Scholar6 min read
The Drowning Ghost (水鬼): China's Most Feared Water Spirit

The Drowning Ghost (水鬼): China's Most Feared Water Spirit

They lurk in rivers, lakes, and wells, waiting to drag swimmers under — the terrifying water ghosts of Chinese folklore.

Spirit Lore Scholar6 min read
Your Guide to the Hungry Ghost Festival: What to Do and What to Avoid

Your Guide to the Hungry Ghost Festival: What to Do and What to Avoid

A practical guide to surviving Ghost Month — from offerings and taboos to festival food and community celebrations.

Spirit Lore Scholar5 min read
Lake Monsters and Sea Creatures in Chinese Folklore

Lake Monsters and Sea Creatures in Chinese Folklore

China's Loch Ness equivalents — the mysterious creatures reported in lakes and seas across the country.

Spirit Lore Scholar6 min read
River Gods and Water Deities in Chinese Mythology

River Gods and Water Deities in Chinese Mythology

From the Dragon Kings to local river spirits — the complex hierarchy of water deities that governs China's waterways.

Spirit Lore Scholar6 min read
Ghost Marriage: When the Dead Need a Spouse

Ghost Marriage: When the Dead Need a Spouse

The eerie tradition of marrying the deceased — a practice that persists in parts of China today.

Spirit Lore Scholar6 min read
Chinese Ghosts: A Field Guide to the Dead Who Will Not Leave

Chinese Ghosts: A Field Guide to the Dead Who Will Not Leave

Not all Chinese ghosts are the same. There are hungry ghosts, vengeful ghosts, water ghosts, child ghosts, and bureaucratic ghosts who file complaints in...

Spirit Lore Scholar5 min read
Exploring Chinese Supernatural Folklore: Ghosts, Spirits, and Afterlife Beliefs

Exploring Chinese Supernatural Folklore: Ghosts, Spirits, and Afterlife Beliefs

Discover the rich tapestry of Chinese supernatural folklore, focusing on ghosts, spirits, and traditional afterlife beliefs.

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min
Exploring Chinese Supernatural Folklore: The Haunting World of Ghosts and Spirits

Exploring Chinese Supernatural Folklore: The Haunting World of Ghosts and Spirits

Uncover the rich tapestry of Chinese folklore centered around ghosts, spirits, and afterlife beliefs.

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min
Female Ghosts in Chinese Literature: Beauty and Tragedy

Female Ghosts in Chinese Literature: Beauty and Tragedy

Beauty and Tragedy

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min
Ghost Marriage: Wedding the Dead

Ghost Marriage: Wedding the Dead

Wedding the Dead

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min
Water Ghosts: The Spirits That Pull You Under

Water Ghosts: The Spirits That Pull You Under

The Spirits That Pull You Under

Spirit Lore Scholar8 min