Information about the Chinese Vampire. From a Gwailo's perspective.
The Chinese Vampire or Chiang-Shih has many aspects that are greatly different from western vampires.
There is a Chinese belief that there are two souls inhabiting every body.The superior or rational soul, and the inferior or irrational soul sometimes called p'ai or p'o.
The inferior soul is the one that inhabits the body in its fetal stage; and at death, sometimes does not wish to leave the body. This creates the Chiang-Shih.
The Chiang-Shih's creation can be spurred on by a violent death, whether it be suicide, hanging, drowning, or suffocation; or it can be created by angering a spirit. Be sure to bury your relatives in a timely fashion, or else! Also keep animals away from the bodies. If a cat jumps over a dead body this can also create a Chiang-Shih.
The Chiang-Shih also have many differences from western vampires in the way that they act. They are irrational and driven by bloodlust. They have difficulty walking because of the pain and stiffness of being dead so they hop instead. They are far more pale and have very dark circles under their eyes. Some even have a libido and will sexually assault their victims in addition to their bloodsucking. They have great strength and have been known to tear the limbs from their victims.
There are many ways to subdue a Chinese Vampire. For one, if you are being chased by a Chiang-Shih try holding your breath, if they can't smell your breath they can't find you. Also Taoist priests are always best to have on your side they know all the incantations and charms to fend off the undead. They can make charms out of small yellow pieces of paper with writing in chicken blood that totally immobilize a vampire or ghoul when affixed to its forehead. Just don't tease the vampire, I know the temptation is huge but don't, because if that paper falls off, you have a deadly undead creature in your face again. Also stock up on uncooked sticky rice (not regular rice, that stuff don't work), dried red beans, and garlic because vampires hate this stuff.
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