Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 蠆鬼, Venom Ghost
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Chai Gui is a terrifying ghost described in the Chinese supernatural tale The Scorpion Merchant. It appears in human form, with yellow hair and an ugly, demonic face. Its name refers to venomous creatures such as snakes and scorpions, reflecting its sinister nature.
The legend tells of a merchant from the south who travelled from place to place selling scorpions every year. One year, when the merchant returned, he became strangely uneasy and sought refuge in a shop. Hoping to hide from whatever was troubling him, he climbed into a large vat and concealed himself inside. Shortly afterward, a frightening figure with yellow hair and a face like an evil spirit entered the shop, searching for the scorpion merchant.
Unable to find his intended victim, the yellow-haired figure eventually left. The shopkeeper then opened the vat to release the merchant, but the man had vanished. Inside, there was nothing but bloody water. The merchant had apparently been killed by the mysterious ghost, leaving behind no trace of his body. The story presents Chai Gui as a terrifying supernatural pursuer whose victims may disappear in a gruesome and inexplicable manner.
Sources
“蠆鬼.” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%A0%86%E9%AC%BC