Ghosts in the Characters? Deconstructing the True Origins and Evolution of China's 'Twenty-Four Ghosts'

Within the radicals of Chinese characters, the 'ghost' (鬼) radical specifically collects characters related to souls, spirits, and demons. In ancient times, there was even a saying of 'Twenty-Four Ghosts' (泛指鬼部中代表不同妖鬼的漢字), referring to the characters in the ghost radical that represented various demons and ghosts. The oldest literary source for this historical term is the poem 'Painting Ghosts Playing Tug-of-War' by the Northern Song poet Mei Yaochen, which contains the line: 'High and low, noble and base, twenty-four; the twenty-four ghosts have no underworld.' 📌 Further Extensions 'When a person dies, they become a ghost; when a ghost dies, they become a 'Xun' (魙); when a 'Xun' dies, they become a 'Xi' (希); when a 'Xi' dies, they become an 'Yi' (夷).' — From the ancient text 'Youming Lu' (幽冥錄) (or 'Youming Lu' 幽明錄) • A person dies and becomes a 'ghost' (鬼): After losing their physical body, they transform into a ghost. Ordinary people are afraid when they see ghosts. • A ghost dies and becomes a 'Xun' (魙): If a ghost is no longer offered sacrifices or its soul dissipates, it dies and transforms into a 'Xun'. Ghosts fear 'Xun' as much as humans fear ghosts. • A 'Xun' dies and becomes a 'Xi' (希): If a 'Xun' perishes again, it becomes a 'Xi'. At this stage, it has completely lost its voice (hearing it but not knowing its name is called Xi). • A 'Xi' dies and becomes an 'Yi' (夷): If a 'Xi' dies further, it becomes an 'Yi'. At this stage, it has lost its form (seeing it but not recognizing its form is called Yi), completely returning to the formless and soundless void energy of the universe. Ancient orthodox texts record the end at 'Yi' (夷), signifying the complete return of life and soul to the heavens and earth, ceasing to exist. 🎋 Xun (魙) (also written as 聻, pronounced: ㄓㄢˇ / ㄐㄧㄢˋ): Ancient people believed that 'when a person dies, they become a ghost; when a ghost dies, they become a Xun.' Xun was considered a being that even ghosts feared more. Therefore, in ancient folk traditions, this character was often written on doors for exorcism (辟邪).