Chinese and Western fantasy often portray very different afterlives. One may emphasise divine judgment, another an elaborate underworld bureaucracy. But as I looked at these worlds, I realised they weren’t simply offering different answers—they were asking different questions. Once you notice that, you begin to see afterlife systems in an entirely new way. Question 1:Continue reading “Chinese vs. Western Fantasy: What Questions Does the Afterlife Ask? “
Category Archives: Chinese Lore
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity
Ghost stories exist in almost every culture. They appear in different forms, wear different faces, and follow different rules. Yet beneath these differences, ghosts often represent one universal idea: The past is not truly gone. The dead leave behind memories, obligations, regrets, and unfinished relationships. When a ghost appears, it is a sign that somethingContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity”
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons
I am starting a new post series that compares elements of Chinese fantasy versus Western fantasy. For the very first post, I am going to focus on dragons. When we say “dragon”, we are often assuming a shared idea. But that assumption doesn’t really hold once you compare Chinese and Western contexts. Broadly speaking, theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons”
Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture
I don’t think Chinese is the only culture that fictionalises historical figures. I mean, this is a practice that is still ongoing when we think about historical fiction as a genre whenever it leverages a well known historical figure. But this is the focus of this post given the nature of this blog. I’m notContinue reading “Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26)
This is the last post for this particular series. Lin Physical Description: A hound-like beast with tiger-like claws, scaled. Special Properties: It is good at jumping and pouncing. Consuming its meat can cure some health condition Gui Physical Description: A turtle-like creature with a red head and a white body. Special Properties: It has fireContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26) “
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (25)
Dai Bird Physical Description: An owl-like bird with three eyes and ears. Special Properties: Its call sounds like that of deers. Consuming its meat cures diseases to do with too much moisture. Yao Physical Description: A pheasant-like bird with a long tail, a red body and an indigo beak. Special Properties: The sound its makesContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (25)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (24)
Fei Fei Physical Description: Shaped like a racoon dog but a white tail. Special Properties: Adopting it as a pet removes anxieties. Long Chi Physical Description: Looks like a horned pig. Special Properties: Consuming its meat prevents nightmares. Flying Fish Physical Description: A pig-like fish with red patterns on its body. Special Properties: Consuming itsContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (24)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (23)
Wen Wen Physical Description: A bee-like insect with a forked tail and a tongue that grows backwards. Special Properties: It makes a loud sound. Ying Shao (or Baby Spoon) Physical Description: A magpie-like bird that has red eyes, a red beak, a white body and a tail shaped like a spoon. Special Properties: It makesContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (23)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (22)
Pi Physical Description: An deer-like creature with its anus growing on its tail. Tong Tong Physical Description: An pig-like creature. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like its name. Pearls grow inside its body. Xiu Fish Physical Description: Looks like the Crucian carp with a big head. Special Properties: Its meat is a cureContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (22)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (21)
Xiang She (or Elephant Snake) Physical Description: A bird that looks like female pheasants except for multi-coloured feathers. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like its name. It is a uni-sex creature. Xian Fu Physical Description: Looks like a Crucian carp except that it has a pig-like body. Special Properties: Consuming its meat isContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (21)”
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