China - Chiang Shih, Jiangshi, Kiang-Kouei, K'Uei, Kyonshi, Hsi-hsue-kuei

Chiang Shih: This terrifying vampire creature was reportedly caused by either the demonic possession of a recently deceased corpse, violent death or suicide. It has been documented in two forms; in one it is a tall and murderous, walking corpse with green or white hair all over its body. This version has long, sharp claws, serrated teeth; glowing red eyes, foul breathe, and sometimes pink hair, which will knock you dead at twenty paces. In this form it will leap out of graves to attack people traveling at night and can also learn to fly if it survives long enough to mature properly. In its more usual form it can appear human and not be recognized as a vampire until it does something that will give it away. For example, like the Slavic vampire, it is unable to cross running water, has the ability to transform into a wolf and is allergic to garlic. Powered by the moon, it can be held in place by a circle of rice around it. The Chiang Shih often dwells underground (influences from the Ekimmu of Babylon) and was first journalized by J de Groot in The Religious System of China in 1892. Also known under the following names; Chiang-shi, Ch'iang-shih, Ch'ing-shih, Kiangshi, Kiang-shi, Kiang-si, and Kiang-tsi. Possibly also known as Giang shi and Xianh-shi. Also erroneously seen as Chang shih.

Jiangshi: Jiangshi is also sometimes the Cantonese name for vampire (it is usually translated as xi xie gui or "blood-sucking ghost" in Mandarin). Hence a hopping corpse is also called a Chinese vampire. It was a hit topic in Hong Kong movies during 1980s; some movies featured the two or more "vampires" together. In the movies, hopping corpses can be put to sleep by a spell embodied in a piece on paper on their foreheads. "Gyonshee", a word based on jiangshi, is a role in some obscure games and collecting cards with similar acts to those described in the Hong Kong movies, combined with some characteristics of a vampire.

Kiang-Kouei: possibly another regional name for Chiang Shih, but not much on the details or description as of yet to be sure. Further research required.

K'Uei: Possibly a slang, or regional, version of Kiang-Kouei. A cat is never allowed to enter a room with a corpse, for the body still contains the Kuei, the lower or inferior soul, and by leaping over it the cat will impart something of its original savage or tigerish nature and the dead person may become a vampire.

Kyonshi: Chinese "hopping vampire"; possibly just a reanimated corpse.

Hsi-hsue-kuei: Translated as 'suck-blood demon'. Also known as Kuang-shi, Kuang-shii or K'uei. Otherwise still under research.


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