Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: China's Corpse Walkers
43 snips
Oct 15, 2025 Discover the eerie tradition of corpse walking in Hunan, China, where Taoist priests would reanimate corpses to guide them home for burial. Uncover the origins of this spooky practice dating back to the Qing dynasty and its decline under Mao. Learn about the nighttime processions filled with superstitions, black cats providing static electricity, and eyewitness accounts of the chilling scenes. Explore the clever ways the priests staged the act to create the illusion of walking corpses, blending history with an uncanny touch.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Burial Location Prevents Restless Spirits
- In Hunan's Zhengji region, burial at birthplace mattered to avoid restless spirits and possession.
- That belief drove practical rituals to return corpses to their home village for burial.
Politics Ended Public Corpse Walking
- The practice dated to the Qing dynasty and persisted into the 20th century until suppressed by Mao.
- Political campaigns against superstition largely ended the public tradition, though small pockets may remain.
Taoist Priests Led Walking Corpses
- Taoist priests performed 'corpse walking' by reanimating a corpse to follow them home.
- The priest led the dead, who walked behind him, sometimes for days or weeks.