Short Stuff: China's Corpse Walkers
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the Chinese tradition of corpse walking, a practice that dates back to the Qing Dynasty in 1616. This custom arose from the belief that people who died away from home would become restless spirits, leading to the development of specific methods for returning the deceased to their birthplaces for proper burial.
The episode details how Taoist priests conducted these nocturnal processions, using techniques involving bamboo poles and black robes to create the illusion of walking corpses. The hosts share historical accounts of these ceremonies, including a firsthand description from a witness who observed the eerie procession of cloth-wrapped bodies moving through lantern-lit streets, accompanied by the sound of ceremonial gongs.
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Tradition of Corpse Walking and Herding In China
Dating back to the Qing Dynasty in 1616, the Chinese tradition of corpse walking emerged from the belief that those who died away from home would become restless spirits. This practice, which continued well into the 20th century, centered around the importance of returning the deceased to their birthplace for proper burial.
Taoist Rituals and Transportation Methods
Taoist priests traditionally led these burial processions, developing unique methods for transporting the dead. For individual transport, priests would prop up corpses using bamboo poles beneath black robes, creating the illusion of walking. They believed that rubbing a black cat's fur over the corpse at night would generate static electricity necessary for reanimation.
For transporting multiple corpses, priests developed an efficient "herding" technique. They would suspend several corpses using horizontal bamboo poles, creating the appearance of synchronized walking. Runners would go ahead to warn villagers of the approaching procession, which typically took place at night under lantern light.
A Witness Account
Louise Hung shares her grandfather's childhood encounter with a corpse procession. He recalls hearing the haunting sound of a gong that seemed to direct the movement of the corpses, which appeared to lurch, hop, and sway through the streets. The deceased were wrapped in white cloths, their covered faces turned toward their final resting places, creating an unforgettable impression on the young witness.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Explore your cultural heritage by researching and documenting burial traditions from your ancestry. You can use online genealogy platforms to trace your lineage and then delve into the burial customs associated with your ancestors' origins. This can give you a deeper appreciation for the diverse practices around the world and a personal connection to history.
- Create a themed art project based on the concept of journeying home. Drawing inspiration from the corpse walking tradition, you could paint, draw, or even write a story that captures the essence of returning to one's roots. This not only serves as a creative outlet but also pays homage to the idea of final rest and the significance of one's birthplace.
- Incorporate the theme of reverence for the deceased into your next Halloween or themed party. Instead of the usual spooky decorations, you could use white cloths, lanterns, and gongs to create an atmosphere that respects the dead's journey home. This can be a conversation starter about different cultural practices and a way to educate guests in an engaging setting.
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Tradition of Corpse Walking and Herding In China
The tradition of 'corpse walking' and herding in China is an aspect of cultural history that recounts an eerie yet deeply held belief extending back centuries.
Qing Dynasty Ritual Origins, 17th Century
Originating around 1616 during the Qing Dynasty and perpetuating well into the 20th century, corpse walking involves the conviction that a person dying away from home results in a restless spirit. This belief underpinned the importance of returning the deceased to their place of origin for a proper burial.
Role of Taoist Priests in Corpse Burial Processions
Traditionally, Taoist priests held the responsibility for reanimating and guiding corpses back to their homes. They played a crucial part in the ritualistic burial processions.
Taoist Priests Reanimated Corpses and Guided Them Home
During such processions, priests were stationed on either side of the corpse to ensure it did not stray off the p ...
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Tradition of Corpse Walking and Herding In China
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your family's burial traditions by talking with older relatives to understand their significance and how they connect to your heritage, similar to how the Chinese tradition of corpse walking connects to cultural roots.
- By engaging in conversations with family members, you can uncover the history and meaning behind your own family's burial practices. This can be a way to honor and preserve your heritage, much like the Chinese tradition of corpse walking is a way to respect the deceased and their final journey home.
- Create a simple home ritual to honor loved ones who have passed away, drawing inspiration from the idea that a person's spirit needs peace, as suggested by the belief in restless spirits in Chinese traditions.
- You can set up a small space in your home with photos, candles, or other items that remind you of the person. Take a moment regularly to reflect on their life and your memories with them. This personal ritual can provide a sense of closeness and peace for both you and the spirit of your loved one.
- Write a short story or create a pie ...
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Taoist Rituals to Reanimate and Transport Corpses
In Taoist traditions, there exist unique and intriguing rituals for transporting the deceased back to their hometowns for burial. These methods blend reverence, practicality, and the supernatural.
Corpse Walking: Reanimating a Corpse to Guide It Home
The method referred to as "corpse walking" involves a Taoist priest symbolically reanimating a corpse, allowing it to walk behind him to its final resting place.
Corpse Propped Up With Bamboo Pole to Appear Walking
For individual corpse transport, known as the solo corpse walker, the priest supports a corpse on his back using a bamboo pole to hold it upright beneath a draped black robe shared by both.
Black Cat's Static Electricity Believed to Reanimate Corpse
A key element in the supposed reanimation is the use of a black cat. The cat's fur, believed to generate static electricity, was thought to reanimate the corpse when rubbed over it multiple times at night.
Efficient Technique For Group Corpse Transport
Clever techniques were developed for the transport of multiple corpses—efficiently guiding them all back for burial.
Bamboo Poles Suspend Corpses, Creating an Illusion of Synchronization
In a practice likened to corpse herding, bamboo poles were used horizontally to suspend multiple corpses. The poles, running under the corpses' arms, were carried by priests acting ...
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Taoist Rituals to Reanimate and Transport Corpses
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the symbolism of your own cultural heritage by researching and creating a visual art piece that represents traditional funeral practices. By delving into the history and rituals of your ancestors, you can create a painting, sculpture, or digital artwork that captures the essence of these practices, much like the Taoist corpse walking ritual. This not only connects you with your roots but also provides a creative outlet to express your understanding of life and death.
- Incorporate the concept of synchronization in group activities by organizing a themed night walk with friends. Inspired by the synchronized movement of the Taoist priests, you can plan a route that includes stops at places of personal significance, where each participant shares a story or memory. Use lanterns or flashlights to guide your way, creating a modern parallel to the solemnity of the traditional processions.
- Reflect on the transient nature of life by writing a s ...
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A Firsthand Account Of Witnessing a Corpse Procession
Louise Hung's Description of Her Grandfather's Childhood Experience
Louise Hung recounts her grandfather's chilling experience from his youth, when he encountered a haunting corpse procession.
Hearing the Gong As "Lurching, Hopping, Swaying" Corpses Are Led Through Streets
As a young boy, Hung's grandfather heard the echoing sound of a gong that would forever mark his memory. He witnessed the macabre sight of corpses moving through the streets in a lurching, hopping, and swaying manner. The eerie cadence of the gong seemed to dictate the unsettling rhythm of the corpse's movements.
Corpses in White Cloths, Faces Towards Resting Plac ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
A Firsthand Account Of Witnessing a Corpse Procession
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the cultural significance of funeral rituals by visiting a local museum with exhibits on world funerary practices. Museums often have sections dedicated to how different cultures honor the deceased, which can provide a deeper understanding of the rituals described, such as the use of gongs and specific movement patterns in processions.
- Create a themed art project that captures the essence of the described procession. Using materials like white cloth and other craft supplies, you can construct a diorama or a series of paintings that depict the haunting and rhythmic nature of the procession. This hands-on activity can help you connect with the cultural practices on a personal level.
- Participate in a community cultural event th ...
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