In the darkness of Chinese night, a figure approaches—not walking but hopping, its arms stretched forward, its body rigid with rigor mortis. The Jiangshi (僵尸, literally “stiff corpse”) is China's unique contribution to the world of the undead: a reanimated body that drains the life essence (qi) from the living while moving in its distinctive, unsettling hop.
Origins of the Jiangshi
A corpse can become a Jiangshi through various means:
- Improper burial or death far from home
- Soul failing to leave the body
- Possession by a demon
- Being struck by lightning after death
- A cat jumping over the corpse
- Death by suicide, violence, or drowning
Historically, “corpse drivers” would transport bodies home for burial by tying them to bamboo poles, making them appear to hop—possibly inspiring the legend.
Appearance
The Jiangshi has distinctive features:
- Rigid body held stiff by rigor mortis
- Arms stretched forward
- Greenish-white skin (from decay or mold)
- Long, claw-like fingernails
- Often dressed in Qing Dynasty official robes
- May have a talisman stuck to its forehead
Behavior and Powers
The Jiangshi hunts at night:
- Detects prey by sensing breath
- Drains life force (qi) rather than blood
- Cannot see—relies on sensing the living
- Grows more powerful over time
- Older Jiangshi can fly and grow white hair
Protection and Defeat
One can escape or defeat a Jiangshi by:
- Holding your breath (it can't detect you)
- Yellow talismans with holy text
- Mirrors (confused by its reflection)
- Sticky rice (absorbs and destroys dark energy)
- Chicken blood or the blood of a black dog
Related Creatures
Compare to European vampires, though the Jiangshi is unique in its hopping movement and qi-draining rather than blood-drinking. The creature has become iconic in Hong Kong horror cinema.
