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Yaoguai
Yaoguai ( zh, 妖怪, p=yāoguài, s=妖怪, t=妖怪) represent a broad and diverse class of ambiguous creatures in Chinese folklore and Chinese mythology, mythology defined by the possession of supernatural powers and by having attributes that partake of the quality of the weird, the strange or the unnatural. They are especially associated with transformation and enchantment. They often dwell in remote areas or on the fringes of civilization where they produce all manner of unexplainable phenomena and mischief. They often have predatory or malevolent tendencies. Yaoguai vary considerably from one another in appearance and powers, and depending on particular individual or type, as being capable of shapeshifting, creating illusions, hypnosis, controlling minds, causing disease, clairvoyance, and draining the life force of mortals. While yaoguai are not evil in the sense Western demons are, they are usually weird and dangerous, tending to exert a baleful influence on mankind. I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Demon
A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in folklore, mythology, religion, occultism, and literature; these beliefs are reflected in Media (communication), media including fiction, comics, film, television series, television, and video games. Belief in demons probably goes back to the Paleolithic, Paleolithic age, stemming from humanity's fear of the unknown, the strange and the horrific.. In Religions of the ancient Near East, ancient Near Eastern religions and in the Abrahamic religions, including History of Judaism, early Judaism and ancient-medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered a harmful spiritual entity that may cause Spirit possession, demonic possession, calling for an exorcism. Large portions of Jewish demonology, a key influence on Christianity and Islam, originated from a later form of Zoroastrianism, and was transferred to Judaism during the Achaemenid Empire, Persian era. Demons may ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pipa Jing
Pipa Jing ( zh, c=琵琶精, p=Pípa Jīng), or Wang Guiren ( zh, c=王貴人, p=Wáng Guìrén), is a character featured within the classic Chinese novel ''Fengshen Yanyi'' (Investiture of the Gods). She is a yaojing (seductive spirit) transformed from a jade pipa after thousands of years of cultivation. She later becomes a favored concubine of King Zhou of Shang. In ''Fengshen Yanyi'' Pipa Jing is one of the three renowned female spectres under the legendary Nüwa, the celestial sovereign. They were summoned by Nüwa to destroy King Zhou. In return, Nüwa promised them immortality after their mission was finished. One time, when Pipa Jing returned from a visit with her friend Daji (a malevolent fox spirit), she happens to find Jiang Ziya with a large crowd of people around the fortune telling studio. Thus, Pipa Jing turns herself into a very attractive young woman and approaches Jiang for a fortune divination. Unfortunately for Pipa Jing, Jiang sees that she is truly an evi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wangliang
In Chinese folklore, a ''wangliang'' ( zh, t=魍魎, p=wǎngliǎng or zh, t=罔兩) is a type of malevolent spirit. Interpretations of the ''wangliang'' include a wilderness spirit, similar to the '' kui'', a water spirit akin to the Chinese dragon, a fever demon like the , a graveyard ghost also called or , and a man-eating demon described as resembling a 3-year-old child with brown skin, red eyes, long ears, and beautiful hair. Name In modern Chinese usage, ''wangliang'' is usually written with radical-phonetic characters, combining the "ghost radical" (typically used to write words concerning ghosts, demons, etc.) with the phonetic elements and ) (lit. "deceive" and "two", respectively). In Warring States period (475–221 BC) usage, ''wangliang'' was also phonetically transcribed using the character pronunciations and , and written as with the " animal radical" (used to write names of insects, dragons, etc.) or ) using ; "dry moat") with the " gate radical" (typic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bai Suzhen
Bai Suzhen ( zh, t=白素貞), also known as Lady Bai (), is a one-thousand-year-old white snake spirit and the title character of the ''Legend of the White Snake'', one of China's "four great folktales". The legend has been adapted into several Chinese operas, films, television series and other media. In some versions of the legend, Bai Suzhen becomes a goddess; her worshippers refer to her as Madam White Snake (). Bai Suzhen is regarded as a symbol of true love and good-heartedness by the Chinese people. Depiction Bai Suzhen is often depicted as a white snake with the ability to transform into a beautiful young woman. During earlier depictions of this script – the Tang tale “Li Huang” and the Song “huaben” version Bai Suzhen was shown as a she-demon who was a malevolent seductress. She was seen as a seductress who would hunt down male partners. In the Ming and Qing version, Bai Suzhen depiction was changed to have a morally good depiction, showing more of a cari ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nine-tailed Fox
The nine-tailed fox () is a mythical fox entity originating from Chinese mythology. In Chinese folklores, foxes are depicted as spirits possessed of magic powers. These foxes are often depicted as mischievous, usually tricking other people, with the ability to disguise themselves as a beautiful man or woman. Origin The earliest mention of the nine-tailed fox is the ''Shanhaijing'' (''Classic of Mountains and Seas''), compiled from the Warring States period (475 BC–221 BC) to the Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD; 25 AD –220 AD) period. The work states: In chapter 14 of the ''Shanhaijing'', Guo Pu had commented that the nine-tailed fox was an auspicious omen that appeared during times of peace. However, in chapter 1, another aspect of the nine-tailed fox is described: In one ancient myth, Yu the Great encountered a white nine-tailed fox, which he interpreted as an auspicious sign that he would marry Nüjiao. In Han iconography, the nine-tailed fox is sometimes depi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese Mythology
Chinese mythology () is mythology that has been passed down in oral form or recorded in literature throughout the area now known as Greater China. Chinese mythology encompasses a diverse array of myths derived from regional and cultural traditions. Populated with engaging narratives featuring extraordinary individuals and beings endowed with magical powers, these stories often unfold in fantastical mythological realms or historical epochs. Similar to numerous other mythologies, Chinese mythology has historically been regarded, at least partially, as a factual record of the past. Along with Chinese folklore, Chinese mythology forms an important part of Chinese folk religion and Taoism, especially older popular forms of it. Many narratives recounting characters and events from ancient times exhibit a dual tradition: one that presents a more historicized or euhemerized interpretation, and another that offers a more mythological perspective. Numerous myths delve into the creation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Painted Skin
"The Painted Skin" ( zh, t=畫皮, p=Huàpí) is a short story by the Chinese writer Pu Songling collected in ''Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio'' in 1740. Literary critics have recognised it as one of the best and best-known entries in ''Strange Tales''; in particular, its textual detail and in-depth characterisation are lauded. "The Painted Skin" has also received numerous adaptations in popular media, especially in film. The story's original title has become a common phrase in Chinese vocabulary, "a synonym for duplicity that wears an outwardly human face but is inwardly demonic". Set in Shandong, the story revolves around a Chinese scholar, Wang, who becomes infatuated with a demon disguised as a beautiful young maiden. They develop a romantic relationship which goes awry after Wang discovers her true identity. Thereafter, a Taoist priest's skills are put to the task of exorcising the demon; a fight between good and evil ensues. Plot An academician from Taiyuan, referred ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jiutou Zhiji Jing
Jiutou Zhiji Jing ( zh, c=九头雉鸡精/九頭雉鷄精, p=Jiǔtóu Zhìjī Jīng; roughly ''Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit''), or Hu Ximei ( zh, c=胡喜媚, p=Hú Xǐmèi; roughly ''Splendor''), is a yaojing, changed from a pheasant with nine heads. She is a character from the famed classic Chinese novel ''Investiture of the Gods''. Like both Pipa Jing and Daji, Zhiji Jing is one of three specters under Nu Wa. In appearance, Zhiji Jing wore a large red robe, a silk sash around her slim waist, and small red linen shoes. She also possessed beautiful eyes as an autumn lake. Zhiji Jing would first appear when Daji headed to the tomb of the Yellow Emperor to retrieve her along with her other fox cohorts. Daji intended to bring her friends to a banquet disguised as heavenly maidens to trick the king. Once the true forms of Zhiji Jing and her allies were revealed to Vice Prime Minister Bi Gan, and each specter returned to their original form, Huang Feihu set out and lit their home ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gods And Demons Fiction
Gods and demons fiction or Shenmo fiction () is a subgenre of Chinese fantasy fiction that revolves around the deities, immortals, demons and monsters of Chinese mythology. The term ''shenmo xiaoshuo'', coined in the early 20th century by the writer and literary historian Lu Xun, literally means "gods and demons novel". Representative works of ''shenmo'' fiction include the novels ''Journey to the West'' and ''Investiture of the Gods''. History ''Shenmo'' first appeared in the Ming dynasty as a genre of vernacular fiction, a style of writing based on spoken Chinese rather than Classical Chinese. The roots of the genre are found in traditional folktales and legends. Plot elements like the use of magic and alchemy were derived from Chinese mythology and religion, including Taoism and Buddhism, popular among Ming intellectuals. '' The Three Sui Quash the Demons' Revolt'' (, ) is an early gods and demons novel attributed to Luo Guanzhong. In the story, Wang Ze begins a re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong (, Mandarin pronunciation: ), also known as the Monkey King, is a literary and religious figure best known as one of the main characters in the 16th-century Chinese novel ''Journey to the West''. In the novel, Sun Wukong is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices. After rebelling against heaven, he is imprisoned under a mountain by the Buddha. Five hundred years later, he accompanies the monk Tang Sanzang riding on the White Dragon Horse and two other disciples, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, on a journey to obtain Buddhist sutras, known as the West or Western Paradise, where Buddha and his followers dwell. Sun Wukong possesses many abilities. He has supernatural strength and is able to support the weight of two heavy mountains on his shoulders while running "with the speed of a meteor". He is extremely fast, able to travel 108,000 li (54,000km, 34,000mi) in one somersault. He has vast memorization skills and can reme ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
People's Journal
''People's Journal'' is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published by the ''Philippine Journalists Incorporated''. Augusto "Gus" Villanueva,(with interviews to key persons).'' Retrieved June 9, 2018. its former editor-in-chief, and Antonio Friginal were founders of the company. ''People's Journal'', with its sister publications, tabloids ''People's Tonight'' and ''People's Taliba'', magazines ''Women's Journal'' and ''Insider'' and now-defunct broadsheet ''Times Journal'', is part of one of the country's "biggest daily newspaper publication group." ''People's Journal'' and ''People's Tonight'' were among the widest circulated daily tabloids. Augusto Villanueva Augusto "Gus" Buenaventura Villanueva was the ''Philippine Journalists Inc./Journal Group of Publications'' editor-in-chief and publisher until his death on January 14, 2022, at age 83. He was also a leading sportswriter. He worked first as a '' Manila Times'' sportswriter in 1955 at age 17, while he was a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
