Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: Hu Meiniang, Hu Mei Niang
Category: Fox
The Myth
Hu Meiniang is a powerful fox spirit who can transform herself into a beautiful woman. She is described as an ancient fox demon with a thousand years of cultivation, originally known as the old fox spirit of the northern gate of Xinzheng. Through her supernatural abilities, she assumes a human appearance and becomes involved in the legendary tale of the White Snake.
In one account, Hu Meiniang approaches Xu Xian and warns him that a demon has impersonated her. She urges him to report the supposed impostor and cautions him not to trust the figure claiming to be Bai Suzhen. Xu Xian believes Hu Meiniang’s explanation and goes to confront Bai Suzhen. However, Hu Meiniang’s deception eventually comes to an end when she is struck by thunder and lightning. She dies in a marketplace, and her human body transforms into the corpse of a fox, revealing her true nature.
Hu Meiniang also appears as the central character of The Tale of Hu Meiniang, a separate story included in the collection Jiandeng Yuhua. Her appearances in these tales portray her as a fox spirit whose beautiful human disguise conceals her supernatural identity.
Sources
“胡媚娘 (Hú Mèiniáng).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%83%A1%E5%AA%9A%E5%A8%98