Nie Huaisang

Nie Huaisang also known as "The Headshaker" (in Chinese "一问三不知", meaning "one question, three don't knows") or Good-For-Nothing is a character in the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi and its adaptations. He was born into a prominent clan and despite being described as smart, he often shows little disposition to cultivation or training and prefers to dedicate himself to arts and crafts, such as calligraphy or painting, or leisurely activities. Following the death of his brother Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang found himself unexpectedly thrust into a leadership role within the sect, despite his lack of skills for the role. With him in charge, other characters remain convinced that the prestige of the Nie clan of Quinhe is gone for good.
== Fandom ==
Nie Huaisang's ambiguous characterization attracts some interest from fans. The novel drops hints that he might not be as unassuming as he presents himself to be, putting a big question mark around his true capabilities, motivations and significance within the story. Despite these implications, the narrative refrains from definitively confirming or refuting it, leaving ample room for speculation and discussion.
== Ships ==
*Jiang Cheng/Nie Huaisang (SangCheng)
* Lan Xichen/Nie Huaisang (XiSang)
**Xisang Week
* Nie Huaisang/Nie Mingjue (Niecest)
**Niecest Weekend 2023
* Nie Huaisang/Wen Ning (NingSang)
* Mo Xuanyu/Nie Huaisang (YuSang, SangYu)
**Sang Yu Week 2019 (June 3 to June 9)
**SangYu Summer 2019
*Jin Guangyao/Nie Huaisang (SangYao)
== Common Tropes==
*Character Study: Nie Huaisang is known for his intricate plans to seek revenge. This aspect of his character has led to a big number of character study fanfiction that delve deep into the mechanisms behind his schemes, the reasoning behind his plans, and the persona of "the Headshaker."
*Bird symbology: In the book, Wei Wuxian says "the mantis stalks the cicada unaware of the oriole behind". The oriole (a type of bird) refers to Nie Huaisang. In "The Untamed" he also brings a canary to class in one episode and is mentioned to have songbird catching as hobby. He's frequently drawn or written feeding birds, wild or caged, listening to the singing of birds or drawing birds.
*Badass: The book hints several times that mild-mannered people are the ones that accumulate more resentment. Having been portrayed as mild-mannered and useless through most of the story, he is revealed later to be more competent than shown. As of August 2023, there are 128 works on AO3 tagged as BAMF Niè Huáisāng
*Mastermind: Stemming from the fact that many people were unknowingly pawns to his plans. As of August 2023, there are 44 works on AO3 tagged as Mastermind Niè Huáisāng
*Matchmaker: He is also depicted plotting to get two characters together, usually Wangxian but also Nieyao or others)
*Fans: It is uncommon to see fanarts of him where he doesn't have a fan in his hand. He also fiddles with them often in fanfiction, makes them himself or uses them to cover his face.
*Erotica: During the Cloud Recesses days he is seen having an interest in erotic illustration books. In some fanworks, he writes erotic stories himself, or illustrates them, or collects them.
== Example Fanworks==
===Fanfiction===
* by phnelt on AO3. Post-canon gen fic in which Nie Huaisang writes erotica. (2021-03-14)
* by Wildehack on AO3. Untamed-canon, Nie Huaisang POV, Nie Huaisang/Mo Xuanyu. (2020-07-24)
*The Lost Cause by KouriArashi on AO3. Nie Huaisang and Jin Guangyao team up to get rid of Jin Guanshan. (2020-03-15)
*The Way of the Nie by Fortune_Maiden on AO3. Gen slice of Life drabbles about Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue and Nie Zonghui (2024-02-03)
===Fanart===
* by lazycranberrydoodles on tumblr (May 17, 2023)
* by swagvo1d on tumblr (December 21, 2022)
* by hawberries on tumblr (February 5, 2021)
* by theresa-draws on tumblr (Mar 13, 2020)
* by sharowolet on tumblr (Mar 13, 2020)
* by littlesmartart on tumblr (Dec 1, 2020)
* by aleung-art on tumblr (21st Sep 2020)
* by sleepychengzi on tumblr (Jun 6, 2020)
* by ginsays on twitter (Feb 27, 2021)
* by _itami_art on twitter (Jan 13, 2023)
* by petitemafia1 on twitter (Oct 16, 2022)
* by Jau41996146 on twitter (May 20, 2022)
* by lizzyAudaz_Art on twitter (May 8, 2022)
* by WisesnailArt on twitter (Oct 3, 2021)
* by takara_yuto on twitter (Jul 30, 2022)
*Nie-gongzi has whole Qinghe wrapped around his little finger by ANGERYBLRB on twitter (Feb 20, 2021)
===Doujinshi===
* 今日も2人はすれ違い (Kyō mo 2-ri wa surechigai) by アカマキ (March 16, 2024)
===Cosplay===
* by 百狸狩月
===Vids===
* No body, no crime by luckydicekirby - Song: No body, no crime by Taylor Swift (Dec 13, 2020)
* Shake it off by Rion Wynter -- Song: Shake it off by Taylor Swift (Dec 9, 2020)
* Do it like Nie Huaisang by CuteSmiles83
* Nie 'Headshaker' Huaisang by bluesaekie (Jul 27, 2020)
===Meta===
* by superborb (Dec 4, 2020)
*Let's talk about Nie Huaisang by TheAlte111 (Dec 21, 2019)
=== Memes ===
* That's just, like, your opinion, da-ge by thatswhatsushesaid (June 15, 2023)
* text post meme nie huaisang edition by aphel1on (August 26, 2023)
==Fannish Links==
*Niè Huáisāng character tag and Niè Huáisāng-centric additional tag on AO3
*聂怀桑 tag on Weibo
*聂怀桑 tag and Nie Huaisang tag on Tumblr
*聂怀桑 tag on Pixiv
Category:Mo Dao Zu Shi Characters