5 Freaky Chinese Ghosts and Ghouls

China has a rich history of ghosts and spirits — as many as 1,520 have been compiled. With Halloween on the horizon, you'll find a list of 33 of these ghosts and ghoulies by hitting the "Read more" link at the bottom of this message. Here are 5 to whet your appetite...

画皮鬼 Huà Pí Guǐ

Their name literally means “painted skin ghost.” They're typically green in appearance, with big gnashing teeth. They eat humans at night, wear their victims’ skins by day, and usually appear as very beautiful women. They are believed to be the ghosts of women who were horribly wronged during their lives, the essence of whose spirits have remained in the bones for hundreds of years after the corpses had decayed. That is why they look for skins to get around in. 

The Hua Pi Gui have been immortalized by Pu Songling in Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, enjoyed many TV and film adaptations for generations within China, and recently starred in a lead role in the globally released Painted Skin I and II. Hell hath no fury!

蜚 Fēi

A plague monster with the body of bull, a snake’s tail, and a third eye on its head, the Fei lives on the Taishan Mountains and has been documented in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Where the Fei appears, rivers and marshes dry up, grass and trees wither, and plagues spread. 

刀劳鬼 Dāo Láo Guǐ

This demon also lives in the mountains, likes to roar in the wind and rain, and shoots poisonous darts. Venom from the male demons kills instantly, while that from the females induces swelling and lengthens the agony. The dart of Dao Lao Gui means certain death within a day, unless treated promptly. This demon was documented in Soushen Ji, and still frequents many contemporary video games.

僵尸 Jiāng shī

Any compilation of Chinese ghosts and demons would not be complete without China’s ultimate monster, the Jiangshi. Originating in rural tales of the strange, Jiangshi have become horror and pop culture favorites in China and elsewhere in Asia.

虎神 Hǔ Shén

The Chinese tiger god is a friendly and whimsical being who sometimes appears in human form, other times in that of a human body with a tiger’s head. Hu Shen likes to tap people on the shoulders from the back and converse with them. Friendly yet powerful, Hu Shen can command tigers. And if you’re lost in the woods and run into this being, you’re in luck — he likes to guide lost travelers through woods and forests.

For the full list of Chinese ghosts and ghouls, please hit "Read more" at the bottom of this message.

Illustrations by Mayura Jain.

 More from RADII