Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 黃父鬼, Huang Father Ghost, Yellow Father Demon
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Huangfu Gui is a malevolent supernatural being recorded in Chinese literature as appearing around the fifth and sixth centuries, particularly in Hubei Province. It is described as wearing yellow clothing, and some accounts portray its entire body, from head to toe, as yellow. The spirit is associated with the spread of disease and was greatly feared by local inhabitants.
Huangfu Gui is said to enter people’s homes, often remaining invisible or taking on different forms. It can transform into a woman, birds, other animals, or even smoke, making its true appearance difficult to determine. Despite its threatening nature, the creature is described as constantly smiling or laughing. According to the legend, if it stands before a household’s entrance and laughs aloud, the people living inside will fall ill with an epidemic disease.
The spirit was also worshipped as a supernatural deity by inhabitants of Yuzhang Commandery, and some accounts say that it claimed to be a mountain god. Its ability to change shape, enter homes, and bring sickness made it both a feared and mysterious presence. Stories of Huangfu Gui appear in classical Chinese collections, including the Taiping Guangji and the Shuyi Ji.
Sources
“黄父鬼 (Huángfùguǐ).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%BB%84%E7%88%B6%E9%AC%BC