The first volume of Doré's multi-volume Researches into Chinese Superstitions (which reference de Groot extensively), published in 1911, lists charms that can rescue people's souls from the many misfortunes that may befall them in the afterlife. There was a school of belief that stated each man has two souls—one born of the earth, and one that comes from the cosmos. The earthly soul, known as kwei, returns to the earth or becomes a ghost, while the latter passes on to the netherworld (Confucianists of the time argued it just disappeared at death) where it may encounter all manner of strife.
One could make appeals on behalf of a relative's shen by buying charms, or "petition talismans," a racket similar to the Catholic selling of indulgences. Almost any untimely or distressing death could allow the shen to succumb to evil spirits: People who committed suicide or were assassinated; victims of unjust lawsuits; people who died in prison, were drowned, or poisoned by a doctor's prescription—every unfortunate circumstance had its own unique charms to ensure better treatment in the afterlife, and ensure the infernal bureaucracy wouldn't make any mistakes.
Women who died in childbirth were sometimes trapped in a horrific hell known as the "bloody pond" from which only a ceremony by witches could release them; there were also petitions for "wandering and vagabond souls" that might have risked falling prey to malevolent demons. Aside from bureaucratic bungling and lost souls, the netherworld was just as prone to earthly problems like corruption and theft: One could burn and send a "paper safe" for dead relatives to store their valuables.
And this intangible spiritual material was most definitely valuable in cold, hard, earthly cash. In cases where an inheritance was disputed, a claimant might literally bring the soul of their relative in an envelope to prove they were the rightful heir to the family fortune; the monks, also, were making fortunes through selling such charms.
Some of these superstitions survive, albeit in token form. On Tomb-Sweeping Day, many Chinese practice a range of regional customs to honor their ancestors, and it's not uncommon to see small fires on the city streets at night, as the bereaved burn paper charms for the deceased. Instead of just money, though, today's mourners are just as likely to burn a paper iPhone or Audi. It seems even the netherworld keeps up with the latest trends.
Article by David Dawson
"Grim Fairy Tales" is a story from our issue, "Go". To read the entire issue, become a subscriber and receive the full magazine. Alternatively, you can purchase the digital version from the iTunes Store.
　　
