Chinese Weird Tales

A collection of Chinese weird tales and mythology stories, recorded in ancient classics. Collected and translated by myself.

Ethereal Encounter with the Silk Deity

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In the tranquil town of Wu, Zhang Cheng experienced an extraordinary event. One night, as he arose, he unexpectedly beheld a lady standing at the southern corner of his residence. With a beckoning gesture, she summoned Cheng, who promptly approached. The mysterious woman revealed, “This place is the cocoon chamber of your household, and I am the spirit residing here. On the fifteenth day of the coming lunar January, prepare a white porridge with honey and offer it to me. 

Mystic Tribute to Qu Yuan

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In the ancient tale, on the fifth day of the fifth month, Qu Yuan chose to end his life by throwing himself into the Mi Luo River. The people of Chu mourned his tragic fate and devised a unique ritual in his honor. They used bamboo tubes filled with rice, casting them into the water as an offering. Centuries later, during the Han Dynasty’s Jianwu era, a scholar named Qu Hu appeared in the Qu region of Changsha. 

Herbal Encounter on HuaShan

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In the ancient times, DengShao from HongNong(弘農) embarked on an herbal expedition to HuaShan(華山) on the first day of the eighth month. To his astonishment, he encountered a celestial child holding a five-colored pouch, collecting dewdrops from cypress leaves. These dewdrops resembled pearls and filled the entire pouch. Intrigued, Shào inquired, “What is the purpose of this?” The celestial child replied, “Master Chì Sōng utilizes these to enhance vision.” With these words, the celestial child vanished without a trace. 

The Crown Prince of Crows

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Wu, whose livelihood was on the fields along the Dan River(丹徒江), arrived at the river island in the winter of the eighteenth year of the Qianlong era(乾隆十八年).

Upon reaching the island, he began collecting rent and laid out the harvested rice in the open. A flock of crows gathered to feast on the rice, and Wu, grabbing a clump of soil, chased them away. He struck one crow mid-flight, and it fell to the ground mute for a moment before recovering and flying off. 

A Mysterious Night Encounter

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During the Liu Song period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Zhao Wenshao(趙文韶), a native of Kuaiji (modern-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province), served as an attendant in the Crown Prince’s palace in the capital city (present-day Nanjing). He lived near the foot of Purple Mountain by the Qingxi River, at Zhongqiao. His residence was separated from the house of the Minister Wang Shuqing by only a narrow lane, approximately two hundred steps away. 

The Vanishing Golden Phoenix

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In the time of Emperor Xuan of Han, a black-covered carriage with a phoenix design was bestowed upon the Grand General Huo Guang, complete with golden fittings. One night, the golden phoenix on the carriage’s shafts would often fly away, its whereabouts unknown, only to return at dawn. This occurrence was not a singular event, as the carriage attendants had also witnessed it. Later, a nobleman from NanJun named Huang Junzhong captured a wild phoenix on North Mountain. 

The Grateful Yellow Sparrow

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In the land of Hongnong, there lived a kind-hearted man named Yang Bao. At the age of nine, he ventured to Hua Yin Mountain. There, he witnessed a yellow sparrow being attacked by a chimera. Driven by compassion, he rescued the bird, which was covered in wounds from the encounter and later harassed by ants. Yang Bao, caring deeply, took the injured sparrow home and placed it on a beam. In the quiet of the night, he heard the bird’s sorrowful cries, discovering it was now preyed upon by mosquitoes. 

The Enchanted Otters of Luo River

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During the reign of Emperor Ming of Wei, while he was strolling along the banks of Luo River, he noticed several white otters in the water, exquisite and pitiable, swiftly disappearing at the sight of people. The Emperor, intrigued, desired to see them up close but repeatedly failed in his attempts. Grand Preceptor Xu Jingshan (徐景山) suggested, “Otters are fond of loach, even at the risk of death.” He then painted two lifelike loaches on a board and hung it by the riverbank. 

The Learned Lurker and the Elusive Fox Spirit

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hang Hua, appointed as the Minister of Works, found himself facing an unusual challenge during the time of Yan Zhao, the King of Yan. Near the king’s tomb, there was a spotted fox spirit that transformed into a scholar, eager to visit Minister Zhang. Approaching the minister’s residence, it inquired of the tombstone, “Given my talents and appearance, would I be deemed worthy to meet Minister Zhang?” The stone replied, “Your extraordinary understanding renders all things possible. 

The Mysterious Diadem: A Tale of Jiang Qian

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In the East Sea, there resided a man named Jiang Qian, who once traveled to an unfamiliar county. Along the way, he passed through a forest where a decaying corpse lay exposed, emitting a foul odor that attracted birds for feasting. Suddenly, a small child, about three feet tall, appeared and drove away the birds. Whenever he did so, the birds would obediently take flight. This bizarre occurrence happened not just once. 

The Ebony Children’s Lament: A Melody of Change

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After Huan Xuan usurped the throne and entered the Vermilion Bird Gate (朱雀門) (Note: The Vermilion Bird Gate is an entrance to the imperial palace), he suddenly encountered two small children. Their entire bodies were as black as ink, harmoniously singing a song called “Caged Song.” On the roadside, numerous other children joined in the chorus. The lyrics lamented, “Bound in a thorny cage, ropes tightly wrapped around the belly. The chariot has no axle, leaning against a solitary tree.” 

The Prophecy of Ninth Moon: A Journey of Remedies

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In the land of Ru Nan, Huan Jing, accompanied by Fei Changfang, dedicated several years to scholarly pursuits. Changfang warned him, saying, “On the ninth day of the ninth month, a calamity will befall your home. Hurry and leave! Instruct your family to make crimson sachets, fill them with wormwood, tie them to their arms, ascend to a high place, and drink chrysanthemum wine. This will dispel the misfortune.” Taking heed of the advice, Jing and his family ascended a mountain.