志怪 · Strange Tales

Monsters, gods and spirits of China — in the words of the classics.

Every entry pairs the original classical Chinese text with a new English translation and a public-domain woodblock print.

Featured

Jiangshi
殭屍
JiangshiThe Chinese “hopping vampire”: meaning, Qing ghost stories, talismans and Mr. Vampire.
Sun Wukong
孫悟空
Sun WukongThe Monkey King: powers, staff, headband, Journey to the West and Black Myth.
Nine-Tailed Fox
九尾狐
Nine-Tailed FoxA fox of Green Hill with nine tails and an infant's cry.

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All Creatures

Jiangshi
殭屍
Jiangshi
UndeadCalamity
Sun Wukong
孫悟空
Sun Wukong
Hero / TricksterDeity
Nine-Tailed Fox
九尾狐
Nine-Tailed Fox
OmenFood / MedicineMan-eater
Dijiang, the Faceless God
帝江
Dijiang, the Faceless God
DeityGuardian
Bifang, the Fire Crane
畢方
Bifang, the Fire Crane
OmenCalamity
Jingwei, the Sea-Filling Bird
精衛
Jingwei, the Sea-Filling Bird
TransformationPerseverance
Kui, the One-Legged Thunder Beast
夔
Kui, the One-Legged Thunder Beast
CalamityGuardianWeapon / Artefact