Death

Ancient Chinese Beliefs on Afterlife

The ancient Chinese held the belief that existence after death closely resembled life on EARTH. Elaborate ceremonies served as a means of readying deceased family members for the AFTERLIFE while establishing a connection between the living and the departed.

Taoist Funeral Rites

Taoist priests conducted a series of rituals spanning several weeks after an individual's demise. The primary ritual involved the expulsion of the SHEN Shin, a malevolent entity responsible for guiding the soul back to its former residence—a force with the potential for malevolence.

Funeral Practices and Spiritual Safeguards

During funerals, kinfolk would disperse paper slips known as "road money" on the streets. These slips could be utilized to appease DEMONS and wandering spirits, ensuring the deceased's safe journey to the grave or to HEAVEN.

Afterlife Preparations of the Elite

In ancient times, EMPERORS would commission vast armies of miniature statues representing the forces they anticipated commanding in the afterlife. Wealthy individuals, upon passing away, were interred with a complete set of household belongings and personal effects, including currency and jewelry.

Symbolic Offerings and Ancestral Rituals

In later traditions, depictions of domestic possessions were set ablaze with the belief that the ensuing smoke would reach the departed in heaven, transforming into a spiritual replica of earthly goods. The deceased were buried close enough to the family's residence for the annual mid-April graveside ancestral rites involving offerings of food, money, and prayers.

Rituals to Assist the Departed

These rituals included laying out provisions such as meat, vegetables, and beverages for the returning soul. Incense sticks, firecrackers, and burned gold and silver paper at the site were intended to aid the spirit with sustenance and finances in the approaching year. Families would affix long slips of red and white paper to the grave's corners to signify the fulfillment of their obligations (see ANCESTORS AND ANCESTOR CULTS).

Demons in Chinese Mythology

DEMONS held a prominent role in Chinese mythology, with a diverse array appearing in folklore. One common type is the GUI, bodiless souls akin to ghosts, separating from the superior soul (hun) when an individual passes away. Without proper rituals and prayers, the gui could transform into a ghost or demon.

Demonic Roles and Explanations

Certain demons served gods, including the underworld ruler and its judges, who employed demons for infernal punishments. Demons were also believed to be responsible for various medical afflictions. Noteworthy demons in Chinese myths include CHIYOU and GONG GONG. Their erratic behaviors were sometimes used to explain geographical anomalies, such as a nine-headed monstrous demon creating large swamps by vomiting after consuming nine mountains.