Folklore
Hungry Ghosts
Restless spirits cursed with insatiable hunger and impossible thirst.
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民俗
Folklore
Ghosts, spirits, festivals, and the living traditions of Chinese folk belief.
Ghosts & Spirits
The supernatural world of Chinese folklore
Folklore
Lady Meng (Meng Po)
The old woman of the underworld who brews the Soup of Forgetfulness.
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Folklore
Black and White Impermanence
The two underworld officers who escort the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
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Folklore
Ox-Head and Horse-Face
The fearsome guardians of the underworld who capture and drag souls to judgment.
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Folklore
King Yan (Yanluo Wang)
The judge of the dead who presides over the Chinese underworld.
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Festivals
Traditional celebrations and their mythological roots
Folklore
Spring Festival (Lunar New Year)
The most important festival in Chinese culture, celebrating the turning of the lunar year.
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Folklore
Lantern Festival
The festival of lights that marks the grand finale of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Folklore
Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)
The day when Chinese families honor their ancestors by tending to their graves.
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Folklore
Dragon Boat Festival
A festival of dragon boats, zongzi, and the memory of the poet Qu Yuan.
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Folklore
Mid-Autumn Festival
The festival of the harvest moon, family reunion, and mooncakes.
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Folklore
Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan)
The month when the gates of the underworld open and spirits roam the earth.
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Folklore
Double Ninth Festival
A festival of climbing high, drinking chrysanthemum wine, and honoring elders.
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Customs & Beliefs
Everyday practices rooted in ancient mythology
Folklore
Door Gods (Menshen)
The divine guardians pasted on doorways to protect the household from evil.
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Folklore
Red Envelopes (Hongbao)
The gift of red envelopes that carries blessings, luck, and the power to suppress evil.
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Folklore
Spirit Money (Joss Paper)
The burning of spirit money that sends wealth and goods to the afterlife.
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Folklore
Lion Dance
The thunderous dance that drives away evil and brings prosperity.
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Folklore
Dragon Dance
The magnificent dance of the celestial dragon that brings rain and prosperity.
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