Ch'iang Shich

Ch'iang Shich, or Jiang Shi, are classic "hopping vampires" or "hopping zombies". They are a type of undead created by improper burialZombies, p.12-13, the person being evil, or sometimes by the grave being struck by lightning. Unlike traditional Western vampires, ch'iang shich seek to consume life force in order to become mortal again--although often only to cause more trouble!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiangshi Their most common portrayal is in a mandarin uniform from the Qing Dynasty, with a paper talisman still stuck to their head--although ideally, this talisman should be the thing that keeps them from developing in the first place!
Jiangshi are sometimes more ghost than flesh, hopping far (or even flying) and being only vulnerable to fire or lightning.Horror, p.58
== Lost in Translation ==
Due to issues with Romanization of Chinese characters and homophones in the language "Ch'iang Shich" is spelled several different ways (jiāngshī, for instance) and can be applied to different "species" of vampires.
== Countering A Jiangshi ==
From Jiangshi page, in rough order of ease of use:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiangshi
* Handbells
* Vinegar
* Peach tree wood
* Their own reflections (preferably in polished metal)
* Fire
* Rooster calls
* Hooves of a black donkey
* Jujube seeds (then attached to the back of the jiangshi, may be difficult)
==Jiang Shi==
Variants: Hopping Corpse, Pinyin, Xl XlE GUI (“blood-sucking ghost”)
Jiang Shi (meaning "stiff corpse" or "zombie") are reanimated corpses that hop around, killing living creatures to absorb life from their victims from Chinese mythology.
The Jiang Shi comes from the story The Corpse Who Traveled a Thousand Miles. In the story a wizard enchants corpses to hop home so that they may receive proper burial and their p’o (soul) can be laid to rest. Because of this creature has no self-awareness, consciousness or independent thought. In mythology they can also be created if the yin is shocked and p’o disrupted preventing it from leaving the body and is seen in Qing Dynasty burial robes Bane, Theresa (2010). Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. pg 75
Generally their appearance can range from being a recently deceased person to the like commonly associated with corpses that have been in a state of decay over a period of time. A peculiar feature is if they have greenish-white furry skin; one theory is this is derived from fungus or mold growing on corpses. They are said to have long white hair all over their heads and they may be animals. The influence of Western vampire stories brought the blood-sucking aspect to the Chinese myth in modern times.
Jiang shi have also been a popular subject in Hong Kong films during the 1980s. A Jiang Shi was also a main character in the film Crazy Safari aka The Gods Must Be Crazy III.
Note: While they appear silly due to the way they move they can be very dangerous.
==Ch'ing Shih==
(Cha-ing She)
Variants: Chiang-Shi, Chiang Shih, Ch’iang-Shih, Ch’ing-Shih, Ch’ling Shih, Gaing Shi, “The Hopping Vampire of Asia,” Kiang-Kouei, Kiang Shi, Kiang-Shi, Kiangshi, Kouei, Kuang-Shi, Kuang-Shii, Kyonshi, Xianhshi
The Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology lists the similarly sounding Ch’ing Shih as a different type of vampire from the above. The Ch’ing Shih is blind and can only be active in moonlight. Early in its existence the Ch'iang Shich shapeshifts into a Corpse Candle. However at maturity it can fly, track its prey by scent, and take the form of a wolf.Bane, Theresa (2010). Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. pg 44-45
The Ch’ing Shih has "red eyes, curved fingernails, serrated teeth, and pale green-white skin that gives off a phosphorescent glow. As it ages, its hair continues to grow and changes from whatever its current color is to pure white. When it has a long and full mane of hai, it is considered physically matured." Unlike the Jiang Shi the Ch'iang Shich is self aware and will rape women before devouring them.
==References==
Category:Myth
Category:Vampires
Category:Undead