Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 能戴鬼
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Nengdai Gui is a strange supernatural creature from Chinese mythology, described as entirely black except for its two snow-white eyes. Its body is as insubstantial as smoke or mist, yet soft and pliable like cotton wool. It has a long, pointed mouth resembling a bird’s beak, giving it an unsettling and unusual appearance.
Despite its frightening looks, Nengdai Gui is not necessarily hostile toward humans. It can live peacefully alongside people and may even be tamed like a dog. Once domesticated, it obeys its owner and can be directed to carry out tasks, serving its master much like a trained animal.
The name Nengdai Gui is also used to describe someone or something exceptionally ugly. The creature’s bizarre combination of a black, mist-like body, glaring white eyes, and sharp beak-like mouth has made it an image of grotesque appearance in Chinese supernatural tradition.
Sources
“能戴鬼 (Néngdàiguǐ).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%83%BD%E6%88%B4%E9%AC%BC