The Jiangshi, which translates literally to “stiff corpse,” is the famed hopping undead of Chinese folklore. They are also called “hopping vampires” because rigor mortis makes their limbs inflexible, forcing them to move by stiffly hopping.
Unlike Western vampires, which feed on blood, the Jiangshi seeks to absorb qi (life-force energy) from the living. Often depicted in the attire of a Qing dynasty official, the creature has no memory, cannot see or speak, and tracks victims using only smell and sound. Its movement can be stopped instantly if a Taoist talisman (a spell written on a paper scroll) is affixed to its forehead.
Origin and Cultural Significance
The Jiangshi myth is rooted in two primary beliefs:
- Improper Burial: Traditional Chinese rituals ensure the dead pass safely to the afterlife. A violent death, suicide, or failure to receive a proper burial can trap the soul, causing the body to reanimate and return to punish the living.
- The Corpse Drivers: The myth is closely linked to the historical custom of Xiangxi ganshi (“driving corpses”). During the Qing dynasty, Taoist priests in the Xiangxi region would transport the bodies of workers who died far from home back to their village for burial. The priests would lead the bodies at night, and the way the corpses were bound to poles made them appear to hop in unison from a distance, a sight considered a bad omen.
Like a zombie, the Jiangshi is a relentless, single-minded force. It never tires, feels no pity, and is driven only by instinct. It’s best viewed as an angry, qi-consuming guided missile.
